SOUTHMONT VOLLEYBALL SECTIONAL: Eagles strike first but Mounties carry the day in four-set win

NEW MARKET — On the opening night of the Southmont Class 2A Volleyball Sectional, South Putnam could not maintain the momentum of winning the opening set and fell to hosts Southmont in four sets 14-25, 25-14, 24-19 and 25-13.

South Putnam came ready to play off the bat. The back row was doing a phenomenal job of getting to everything, not letting balls drop.

After a block from Chlara Pistelli the Eagles held a 15-12 advantage. They then proceeded to take 10 of the last 12 points, including a pair of blocks from Madison Gardner, to pull away and take set one 25-14.

“Our girls covered ground. We went over where (Southmont) liked to hit and did a fantastic job,” said Eagle coach Ellen Houser.

Unfortunately, the Eagles were unable to carry that momentum into the second set. The Mounties jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead and Ella Barry had a pair of kills in that stretch.

South was never able to recover as Southmont was able to get into its offense and continue to hit at a high percentage.

Barry had seven kills in the set to carry the Mounties to a 25-14 set win and even the match.

In the pivotal third set, it remained close throughout as neither side could establish a big run.

Barry continued her hot streak, with seven more kills for Southmont.

Eliana Cox answered for the Eagles with a pair of kills to keep them within one.

The turning point came with Southmont up one at 20-19. Behind the serving of Layla Gomez, the Mounties took the final five points to go up two sets to one.

The Mounties jumped out quickly in the fourth. An ace from Caitlyn Himes and another Barry kill put the hosts up 5-0.

A block and a kill from Lillian Emmerich tried to keep the Eagles within reach but Southmont answered with a six point run, which gave it a comfortable 10-point lead.

The Mounties finished off the set taking eight of the last nine to win 25-13 and end the Eagle season.

“These girls are fantastic girls on and off the court. I couldn’t ask for a better group. They gave me their all and that's all I can ask for.” added coach Houser.

The Eagles finish with an 11-15 record on the season. Southmont moves to 17-12 and advances to face North Putnam in the second semifinal on Saturday.

Laurajane Switzer and Chlara Pistelli each finished with seven kills, while Eliana Cox added six. Gardner had two blocks and Cox had three service aces to head up the Eagle attack.

The star of the game was the Mounties Ella Barry wit 22 kills on the night.

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Kills - (SP) Switzer 7, Pistelli 7, Cox 6, Emmerich 5, Gardner 4, Mullin 1; (S) Barry 22, Himes 7, Gomez 5, Douglas 3, Turner 3, Mason 1

Blocks - (SP) Gardner 2, Emmerich 1, Pistelli 1; (S) Gomez 2

Aces - (SP) Cox 3, Dobson 2, Pistelli 1, Gardner 1, Wells 1; (S) Gomez 4, Himes 3, Barry 2, Mason 1