McClain’s Barnes notches 1,500th assist in loss to Miami Trace
McClain's Lily Barnes (with ball) is shown with her teammates and coaches after recording her 1,500th assist. (HCP Photos/Jim Jones)
The McClain varsity volleyball team gave Miami Trace all they wanted Tuesday night in Greenfield before losing in four sets.
It was also a special night for McClain senior Lily Barnes, who recorded her 1,500th assist in the first set in which the Lady Tigers played an awesome game by winning 25-19.
Her record assist came when the game was tied 18-18 and gave McClain the lead at that point, as they went on to win the set.
“This was a special night for Lily (Barnes),” McClain head coach Taylor Alsop said. “For her to get 1,500 assists is just a remarkable and memorable experience, especially getting it on her home floor.
“I think the reason our girls came out so strong in that first set was the fact they wanted to make sure Lily got that 1,500th assist here tonight.”
It was the only set the Lady Tigers could win against the Lady Panthers, who are undefeated (7-0) in the Frontier Athletic Conference and also have a 12-2 overall mark.
Game two was probably the most exciting and energized of the match, when both teams battled back and forth with 13 ties before Miami Trace prevailed 28-26 to tie the match at one game each.
“We started the match off playing really fast and hard, and that’s something that has kind of been hit and miss with us this year, so the fact that we were able to progress and continue to push in that second set even though we lost was impressive,” said Alsop. “My girls went point for point with them in that second set and ran the score up and continued to fight, never giving up.”
Miami Trace showed why they are the undefeated and FAC leaders after they won the third and fourth games by identical 25-17 scores and took the match, 3-1.
“I was really impressed with the energy and effort my girls started the match with,” Alsop said. “Miami Trace runs a quick offense, and something we did today was speed things up too, which allowed us to cover their substitutions, and that’s what kept us in it.
“We have a couple of girls that are close to getting 500 kills and digs, so they’re really pushing for those goals. Lily (Barnes) has really set the standard and bar high for McClain volleyball players going forward, and we also have a lot of girls on this team that have already broke some school records.”
McClain will host Chillicothe Thursday, Sept. 28, when senior night will be observed.
