Lady Tigers fall to Wilmington
McClain senior Lillie Saunders is shown during Monday's match vs. Wilmington. (HCP Photos/Jim Jones)
GREENFIELD — The McClain varsity volleyball team lost a non-conference match to Wilmington on Monday night in straight sets by scores of 25-13, 25-17, and 25-18 at McClain High School.
It’s been a difficult start for first-year head coach Cierra Bolender and her extremely youthful team, despite having only three seniors, they continue to show a lot of grit and determination.
After losing 25-13 in the opening set the McClain girls played much better and more competitive in the next two sets, especially in the third where they led until the middle part of the set.
“We need to build a little more stamina,” Bolender said. “The second half of our matches are really killing us.
“We don’t seem to be clicking and are struggling to find the answer to how we can work through those low points in our matches.”
McClain got some strong serving in the match from seniors Zoie Everhart and Lillie Saunders along with underclassman Kambriah Tomlin. Saunders and Tomlin both registered aces while serving in game three.
“I thought Kambriah (Tomlin) came in and did her job,” Bolender said. “I’m really proud of her play tonight, she served well and had a couple of good digs and passes too.”
The Lady Tigers also got some strong play at the net led by junior Anzli Beatty and anchored by sophomore Alaya Jackson and freshman Brynlee Karnes.
“Anzli is playing great for us right now,” continued Bolender. “Her leadership has been good and she has stepped into a really big role for us and I’m very excited to see what she does throughout the rest of the season.”
Coach Bolender also spoke about the play of another one of her younger players.
“Brooklyn Bolender who is just a sophomore played well tonight and has been doing everything that I’m asking her to do, so I’m pretty proud of that as well.”
McClain was scheduled to play at Washington on Tuesday where they won in a five-set match.
Next for MHS will be them traveling to Jackson on Thursday, Sept. 25 before returning home next Tuesday, Sept. 30 to host Miami-Trace.
