Coalfield Comes from Behind to Defeat Monterey 3-1

By Terry Futrell

Perhaps it was the long trip to Monterey. Perhaps it was the absence of vicious spiker Alexis Morrison. Whatever the reason, the Coalfield Lady Jacket volleyball team got off to a slow start Monday evening and lost the first set to Monterey. But the Lady Jackets came back! Through sheer determination and strong defensive play, the Lady Jackets won the next three sets to take a 3-1 victory over the Lady Wildcats.

The Lady Jackets took charge early in the first set and jumped out to a 12-7 lead behind the serving of Ashlyn Roberts, but Monterey fought back. With Coalfield leading 20-18, the Lady Wildcats put on an offensive burst and took a 24-20 lead. The Lady Jackets could not respond, and Monterey closed out the set winning 25-22.

The Lady Jackets regained their composure in the second set. With Carlee Kees and Mallory Hill serving four points each, and Jayleigh Bunch serving three points, Coalfield took a 17-5 lead. Monterey faltered offensively as the Lady Jackets defense stepped up. Carlee Kees closed out the set by serving six points and Coalfield took the set 25-10, tying the match at 1-1.

The third set started out as a real dog fight. With the score tied 5-5, Mallory Hill then served six consecutive points to give the Lady Jackets an 11-5 lead. Monterey closed the gap to two at 11-9, but Ashlyn Roberts stepped up and served eight points to give Coalfield a 20-9 lead. Monterey’s Amber Riddle responded by serving six points to close the gap to 20-16, but the Lady Wildcats brought too little, too late as Coalfield went on to win the set 25-19 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Coalfield jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the fourth set behind the serving of Mallory Hill. Monterey closed the gap to two points at 15-13, but Carlee Kees responded by serving four points in a row to give Coalfield a 20-13 lead. The Lady Jackets held off every Lady Wildcat comeback attempt and closed out the set with a 25-20 victory and won the match 3-1.

Coalfield continues their win streak, with their only losses coming at Van Buren County and Bledsoe County. After hosting Oakdale on Thursday evening, the Lady Jackets will once again face Van Buren next Monday with an opportunity for revenge.