The Lady Pioneers turned back Hannah Kate Sims twice, but she wouldn’t be denied a third time.

Sims’ drop shot proved to be the difference as White County defeated Warren County in a five-set thriller at Charlie Dalton Gym.

“Hannah is someone we’re confident in going to when we need a point,” said White County coach Joni Trivette. “She’s young and still has to work on finishing, but that’s a big confidence boost.

“It’s always big to go on the road and pick up a district win.”

It came as a mild shock to the Lady Pioneers, who won the first and third set to get to the brink of victory. White County rallied back to win the final two sets, seizing control in the deciding frame behind the serving of Lauren Turner.

Turner took advantage of two poor hits by Warren County before rocking two aces to give White County a 14-9 lead. Warren County got back two points – one on a combo stuff by Hailey Wood and Danika Reno – before Sims shut the door at 15-11.

“They did to us in that last set what we needed to do to them. They got in our heads a bit,” said Warren County coach Katie Rogers. “This whole season has been a learning experience with a young team. This [going five sets] was a first for a lot of our players. We’ll step up.”

Warren County (5-5) won a tight first set 29-27. The Lady Pioneers twice were pushed to the brink of dropping the set before rallying to tie at 27 all. Following an errant serve by White County, senior Megan Davis gave her team an early lead with a set-sealing block.

The Warriorettes came back to win the second set 25-21 before Warren County dominated the third set 25-15.

The back-and-forth continued when White County forced a deciding set by taking the fourth set 25-21.

Warren County built an 8-6 lead in the fifth frame, getting a tip kill from Wood and Samantha Jennings ace to go ahead. Turner’s serving swung the momentum back to the visitors though, setting up Sims to finish the job.

The Lady Pioneers spent the weekend in Chattanooga taking part in the Choo Choo Classic. More results can be found in Wednesday’s Standard.