By Maurice Patton
MT. PLEASANT – Making itself at home on the road, Hampshire’s volleyball team picked up its second victory in as many days by knocking off Mt. Pleasant in four sets to open District 11-A play Tuesday.
The Lady Hawks, who defeated host Zion Christian in five sets Monday, fell behind early against their league rival while adjusting to the absence of senior setter Madison Boyd, who suffered an ankle injury helping the junior varsity team with its pregame warmups.
“We had to get used to playing without her, because we had a different rotation,” Hampshire coach Brittany James said. “But we started pulling together.”
Mt. Pleasant, which opened with a five-set win Monday at Culleoka, surged early and picked up a 25-16 victory to start Tuesday’s match.
However, sophomore Madison Cagle registered some key service points through the middle portion of the second set, as the visitors rallied from behind for a 25-22 win. Hampshire closed out the match with 25-19 and 25-23 victories.
“I knew they’d get their minds right and do their thing,” James said regarding her team’s early loss and recovery. “We struggled with our communication, but they started talking more and encouraging each other and I think that’s what pushed us through.”
Cagle and Kadence Stoner helped key the win for Hampshire.
Mt. Pleasant, meanwhile, fell despite the continued impressive play of freshman Addison Workman.
“She’s very active,” Lady Tigers coach Melina Jaime said of her young middle hitter. For being a freshman, she’s more active than you’d expect. She’s all over the floor.
“I just think we had a lot of hitting errors. We’ve got a young team. That’s something we’ve got to work on. We were passing well. We just weren’t executing in putting the ball down.”
Hampshire plays its home opener Thursday against Santa Fe, while Mt. Pleasant travels Thursday to Collinwood in league play.
On the pitch: Zion Christian sophomore Ava Corbin netted seven goals Tuesday as the host Lady Eagles defeated Loretto 10-2. Lilli Mai Fann added a pair of goals and Emily Mesko one for Zion Christian.
Columbia Central traveled Tuesday to District 8-AAA rival Franklin County and dropped a 3-0 decision as Maddy Underwood made her debut in goal. The Lady Lions resume league play Thursday at Shelbyville.
Also, Spring Hill defeated visiting Columbia Academy 10-1.
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Maurice Patton is the editor for Southern Middle Tennessee Sports. E-mail: mopattonsports@gmail.com; Twitter: @mopatton_sports.