Central Volleyball is Triumphant Over East Ridge

In past years, the Central volleyball team has struggled in the second half of the season. The 2020 Lady Pounders were looking to change that in this week’s games against Red Bank, East Ridge, and East Hamilton.

On Monday, Central began their fifth week of competition on the road against the Red Bank Lady Lions. The first set was back and forth, but in the end, the Lady Lions captured the set victory, 26-24. The second set was a nail-biter, but once again, Red Bank prevailed, 25-23. The Lady Pounders were on the losing side of some tough calls, which only added fuel to the fire in the fierce battle between the Lady Lions and the Lady Pounders.

“I felt like we played with so much more energy and enthusiasm,” Junior Alona Allen shared. “Even though we lost, I believe it’s the best game we’ve played all season.”

After five straight away games, the Lady Pounders were back at home on Tuesday, September 15, to face off against the struggling East Ridge Lady Pioneers. The Lady Pounders were dominant. At the end of the first set, the score was 25-5. The Lady Pounders controlled the second set as well, which resulted in another 25-5 Central victory. As the game progressed, the East Ridge Lady Pioneers struggled to return the Central serve which lead to several aces for Seniors Kamren Hammonds and  Carmen Crabtree. In the third set, the Lady Pounders put the finishing touches on their sweep of the Lady Pioneers, winning the final set by a score of 25-17.

When asked about the big win against East Ridge, Coach Holly Ware said, “It was a much needed win. The team played well together and had fun while still staying focused.  It is always a good night when you win, especially when it was a district match.”

Thursday, September 17, the Lady Pounders hosted the East Hamilton Lady Hurricanes. The Central squad knew this would be a big game, being that the Lady ‘Canes finished third in the state last year, but many of the Lady Hurricanes’ star players graduated at the end of last year. The Lady Pounders looked to take advantage of that in their second meeting of the season with the Lady ‘Canes. Central got off to a hot start but fell short. The Lady Hurricanes won the first set, 25-20. The Lady Pounders battled hard to try and tie up the match, but they could not stop the Lady Hurricanes. East Hamilton took the second set, scoring 25 to Central’s 20. After the second set, East Hamilton got on a roll and simply could not be stopped; they completed the sweep of the Lady Pounders in the third set, winning 25-17.

Monday, September 21, the Lady Pounders will go on the road to play the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences. It will be the second game of the season between the Lady Pounders and the CSAS Patriots. On Tuesday, September 22, the McMinn Central Chargerettes will travel from Englewood, Tennessee to battle the Lady Pounders at home.

Readers can view the latest sports updates on the sports center page. This is where schedules, scores, and rosters will be posted.