Early energy fuels Fleming County to fast start, before eventually falling to Rowan County
OWINGSVILLE | There were moments during the first and second sets of Wednesday’s 61st District Volleyball Championship where it seemed like the Fleming County Lady Panthers were back in 2011 — everything was working and they could do no wrong.
That year marked the last time Fleming County defeated Rowan County in the district tournament.
“In the first and second (sets), we were ready. We were wanting it. We really showed up and that was what kind of did it for us,” said Lady Panther coach Sarah Besenti. ““It was just our offense, it was just the movement that we were (executing) tip, hard hit, push corner. We were able to mix that all up, that really helped with our success those first two sets.”
“I think we were really off our game plan in sets one and two. We were not playing like ourselves. We’re a very fast-paced, aggressive type team and that was anything but (the case) in that second set especially,” said Rowan County co-coach Dusty Coyle.
In the first set, Fleming County (11-21) jumped out to a 9-3 lead prompting Coyle to call a time out. The Lady Panthers held the advantage until the Valkyries tied the score at 15-15. The score remained within two points until Rowan County (27-9) went on a 6-2 run to finish the set and claim a 25-19 win.
Again in the second set, Fleming County surged ahead early, grabbing a 10-4 lead and forced the Valkyries to call a time out. This time the break did not help the team in green and the Lady Panthers continued to put on pressure that flustered the seven-time defending champs.
After the time out, Lauren McGinnis’ serving extended the Black and Gold’s margin to 10 points. Rowan County closed within six at 14-8, but the Lady Panthers responded and finished the set with an 11-1 run to claim a 25-9 win.
“Honestly, what we talked about all night was communication and energy,” Besenti said. “We were playing smart, we were able to move the ball around .… Our passing was there for the most part.”
Then the tide turned and it felt like it was back in every district title match since 2012. Rowan County started strong and did not let up, capturing the final two sets 25-7 and 25-9, and its 18th district championship since 2000.
“In the third set, we just kind of regrouped, reminded ourselves of what our strategies are, what got us to be in the point with the record that we have and made sure we were playing like who we are with our own strategies and executed that (in) sets three and four,” Coyle said.
District Player of the Year Bailey Brashear credited the turnaround to leadership and experience. The Rowan County sophomore middle blocker had 10 kills, two aces and two blocks in the final two sets.
“I think that when we got our energy back (we were fine), because in the first and second sets Fleming had a lot of energy on us and they were really excited. Every time they scored they were getting really loud and we weren’t doing that,” she said. “So, when we started picking that back up, I think that really changed the game for us.”
Both teams will advance on to the 16th Region Tournament which will begin on Monday at Rowan County.
That year marked the last time Fleming County defeated Rowan County in the district tournament.
“In the first and second (sets), we were ready. We were wanting it. We really showed up and that was what kind of did it for us,” said Lady Panther coach Sarah Besenti. ““It was just our offense, it was just the movement that we were (executing) tip, hard hit, push corner. We were able to mix that all up, that really helped with our success those first two sets.”
“I think we were really off our game plan in sets one and two. We were not playing like ourselves. We’re a very fast-paced, aggressive type team and that was anything but (the case) in that second set especially,” said Rowan County co-coach Dusty Coyle.
In the first set, Fleming County (11-21) jumped out to a 9-3 lead prompting Coyle to call a time out. The Lady Panthers held the advantage until the Valkyries tied the score at 15-15. The score remained within two points until Rowan County (27-9) went on a 6-2 run to finish the set and claim a 25-19 win.
Again in the second set, Fleming County surged ahead early, grabbing a 10-4 lead and forced the Valkyries to call a time out. This time the break did not help the team in green and the Lady Panthers continued to put on pressure that flustered the seven-time defending champs.
After the time out, Lauren McGinnis’ serving extended the Black and Gold’s margin to 10 points. Rowan County closed within six at 14-8, but the Lady Panthers responded and finished the set with an 11-1 run to claim a 25-9 win.
“Honestly, what we talked about all night was communication and energy,” Besenti said. “We were playing smart, we were able to move the ball around .… Our passing was there for the most part.”
Then the tide turned and it felt like it was back in every district title match since 2012. Rowan County started strong and did not let up, capturing the final two sets 25-7 and 25-9, and its 18th district championship since 2000.
“In the third set, we just kind of regrouped, reminded ourselves of what our strategies are, what got us to be in the point with the record that we have and made sure we were playing like who we are with our own strategies and executed that (in) sets three and four,” Coyle said.
District Player of the Year Bailey Brashear credited the turnaround to leadership and experience. The Rowan County sophomore middle blocker had 10 kills, two aces and two blocks in the final two sets.
“I think that when we got our energy back (we were fine), because in the first and second sets Fleming had a lot of energy on us and they were really excited. Every time they scored they were getting really loud and we weren’t doing that,” she said. “So, when we started picking that back up, I think that really changed the game for us.”
Both teams will advance on to the 16th Region Tournament which will begin on Monday at Rowan County.
Scoring |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Final |
Fleming County |
19 |
25 |
7 |
9 |
= |
1 |
Rowan County |
25 |
9 |
25 |
25 |
= |
3 |
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