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Sandy Creek volleyball improves to 8-5

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

Last year, the Sandy Creek Lady Patriots placed fourth in the AAAA state tournament and finished second in the area behind Woodward Academy in the area. Their record last year was 39-15 but five seniors from last year’s team, including four experienced starters, have graduated.

Coach Paul Collins has two returning starters from last year’s squad; senior co-captains Courtney Bartlett (setter) and Alicen Lee (middle hitter). Last year, Lee led the team with 360 kills, while Bartlett led the team with 500 assists. Collins also praises Bartlett for being one of the top students in her class and also the school’s player of the week recently.

Rounding out the team are junior outside hitters Kristen Burnett and Shamora Merritt and junior Brittany Howell as a defensive specialist. Senior Sharlae Maldonado will be opposite Alicen Lee as the team’s other middle hitter. She will be assisted in the front by freshman Olympia Haney, an outside hitter. Senior setter Brooke Rowe and Megan Belyeu, an outside hitter, will fill in when called upon as will sophomores Savanna Woody, Marie Auers and freshman Jessie Ruple.

Last week, the Lady Patriots lost to Landmark Christian and Starr’s Mill but defeated Lovett and Lakeside-DeKalb. In their games against Starr’s Mill and Lakeside-DeKalb, Sandy Creek was led by Bartlett, with 18 assists; Lee with nine aces; Maldonado with 12 kills and Burnett with nine digs. The team faced Henry County, Hardaway and Warner Robins yesterday after the paper went to press. They will be off until Thursday, Sept. 9 when they play at Eagle’s Landing.

In other volleyball news, Starr’s Mill beat Sandy Creek 25-12 and 25-14, to win the match. The Lady Panthers then faced Lakeside DeKalb High School. Struggling from the beginning whistle, the Lady Panthers dropped the first game to Lakeside, 19-25. Coach Dottie Licciardi rallied her team in time to barely squeak by in game two, 25-23. The Lady Panthers found their stride in game three, winning that final game 25-19 to claim a victory in the match. Leading in kills for the Lady Panthers was Kursten Carr with 22. Kelley Elder tallied 23 digs and 12 service aces. Aubrey Ireland contributed with 20 digs and two blocks. Setter Niki Patriarca had 42 assists.

Fayette County is 8-4 on the season. The Lady Tigers went 3-1 over the weekend wit wins over Eagles Landing Christian, Athens Christian and Our Lady of Mercy and a loss to Jonesboro.

The team has benefitted from excellent power hitters in Jordan Gore, JoAnna Beck and Brittany Wilson, great setting from Katie Bankeris and Brittany Jackson. Fayette County played at Our Lady of Mercy yesterday after the paper went to press and will play at Creekside on Thursday.

McIntosh got wins against Landmark and St. Pius last thursday to make their overall record 7-3. Against St. Pius the Lady Chiefs were led by senior Abbey Muetzel's serving with seven aces and solid passing throughout, as well as senior Courtney Hummel's six digs. Highlights from McIntosh’s match against Landmark included junior outside hitter Danielle Crawford’s three digs and five kills as well as junior outside hitter Leah Thomson’s six kills. Junior setter Megan Cheatham tallied 13 assists in both the Landmark and St. Pius matches.

“We're looking strong and improving with every match,” said coach Wendy Weaver. McIntosh will now be off until the East West Tournament, Sept. 9-11.

Our Lady of Mercy is 2-9 so far this season. Coach Bill Schmitz feels his team is making strides, playing well against tough competition.

“This will get us prepared for our area matches with Landmark, Lovett and Grady,” added Schmitz. After yesterday’s game against Fayette County, the Lady Bobcats will travel to take on Newnan Thursday at 4:30 p.m.