Lady Jackets Knock Off Undefeated Harriman 3-0

By Terry Futrell

The Coalfield Lady Jacket volleyballers basked in sweet revenge tonight as they knocked off the undefeated Harriman Lady Devils in three sets (25-16, 25-21, 25-22). The two teams faced each other in the opening match of the season on August 17 with the Lady Devils taking a 3-0 victory. Neither team has lost a match since and both teams were ranked in the top ten in Class A by MaxPreps – Harriman, #4 and Coalfield, #9.  In what could be described as one of the most disciplined matches ever witnessed in the district, the teams fought fiercely, but this time the Lady Jackets proved that they are a force to be reckoned with as TSSAA volleyball enters the second  half of the season.

Coalfield jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first set before the Lady Devils mounted a comeback, pulling within two points at 13-11. With five service aces, including two by Chastin Henry, and three kills by Alexis Morrison, the Lady Jackets once again pulled away to win the set 25-16.

In the second set, the lead changed eight times before Coalfield took a four-point lead at 16-12. Once again, Harriman fought back to tie the score at 20-20. Not to be outdone, the Lady Jackets buckled down and pulled ahead to win the set 25-21. The level of defensive play by both teams was extraordinary as Coalfield scored only one kill and Harriman scored two. Coalfield’s four service aces were offset by six service errors in the set.

After falling behind 2-0 in the third set, the Lady Jackets took the lead at 3-2 and never trailed, winning the set 25-22 and the match 3-0. Alexis Morrison led the Lady Jackets with six kills in the set while her teammates added five additional kills. The Lady Devils had a total of five kills in the set.

With the victory, Coalfield equals Harriman’s district record of 7-1 and shares first place with the Lady Devils. Coalfield faces Oliver Springs at home on September 14 and Harriman faces Clarkrange at home.