Tough breaks continue to befall the Warren County High School volleyball team.
After winning three matches in the Warren County invitational over the weekend, the Lady Pioneers started this week with back-to-back home losses. Warren County lost in straight sets to Coffee County Monday, then fell to Cumberland County Tuesday at Charlie Dalton Gym.
The Lady Pioneers dropped to 5-22 with the district defeats, though coach Dena Upton was able to take one positive away from the matches. Against the Lady Jets Tuesday, Warren County won its first district game this season.
The Lady Pioneers, now 0-8 in district after winning the championship last season, defeated Cumberland County 25-22 in the first set before dropping the next three 25-22, 25-22 and 25-18.
Coach Upton believed it was a step in the right direction for her young team.
“Winning our first game in district might not seem like much, but it’s a beginning,” said Upton. “Our next major stride is learning how to finish.”
Coffee County and Cumberland County barely broke a sweat in early season victories over the Lady Pioneers, but this week’s matches were a different story. Each game against the Lady Raiders was competitive, although Coffee County came out on top in each one.
The Lady Pioneers came back focused against the Lady Jets Tuesday, evidenced by the home team taking the first game. However, Cumberland County rallied back to keep Warren County winless in district play.
Coach Upton thinks her team’s desire and determination was showing through against the Lady Jets.
“The improvement continues to show. Those two teams kind of manhandled us at the first of the year, but we began to turn the tables on them this week,” said Upton. “Our confidence and enthusiasm are growing.”
Aubree Weitzel continues to show great improvement at the net as the junior finished with eight kills and five blocks against the Lady Raiders and Lady Jets. Freshman Brooke Murphy chipped in three kills and two blocks.
Seniors Lauren Wilson and Kelsey Lawrence were tops on the team with three aces apiece, while sophomore Lauren Cannon topped the 100-assist mark with 17 helpers in two matches. Freshman Lauren Hennessee added nine assists.