Amanda Jones (20) was one
of the big producers who helped Kell finish Saturday’s Harrison Play Day with an undefeated mark in four matches.
Kell recorded the best record among the local squads, going undefeated in its four matches. Harrison was 3-1 and Kennesaw Mountain was 2-2, while North Cobb Christian and McEachern each ended the day at 1-3.
Kell, ranked 10th in the GaSports.com Class AAAAA coaches poll, beat Etowah (28-26, 25-16), South Forsyth (25-18, 25-17), ninth-ranked Kennesaw Mountain (25-23, 9-25, 25-18) and North Cobb Christian (25-15, 25-16) to improve to 13-3 on the season.
"I'm very proud of them," Kell coach Tracy Steinlight said. "Normally, we have a slow start in games, but this time the girls came out fired up. I was impressed with how hard they played (Saturday). After losing that second game to Kennesaw Mountain, we really had to find the energy to play that third game. We played back-to-back matches, so it was good to see us come back.
"After (Saturday), I have high hopes for the rest of the season. The team is really stepping up."
The Lady Longhorns weren't threatened in either game against North Cobb Christian. Kell led, 19-12, in the first game en route to the victory. A strong 5-0 start propelled the team in the second game, as the lead ballooned to 19-9, but two attack errors and a service ace from the Lady Eagles' Amanda Adamson, pulled North Cobb Christian to within 19-12.
Kell rebounded, getting solid play from Camille Pedraza, Ansley Silva and Jasmine Cranford down the stretch to get the win.
Harrison beat North Cobb Christian (23-25, 25-9, 25-16), Druid Hills (25-20, 25-16) and Darlington (25-17, 25-12) before falling to fourth-ranked Northview (25-11, 25-19).
"Northview jumped on top of us early and rattled us a little bit," Lady Hoyas coach Clay Taylor said of the reigning Class AAAAA champs.
Jennifer Kuroski totaled 18 kills, five aces and eight digs for Harrison (8-4). Alexis Ryan had 16 kills, four aces and six digs, while Tyra Montour totaled five kills, five aces and two blocks. Kelly Scott recorded 48 assists and eight digs and Hayley LaFontaine had eight kills and four digs.
Kennesaw Mountain beat South Forsyth (25-19, 25-9) and lost to Etowah and Kell before ending the day with a win over Druid Hills (25-8, 25-19).
Kayla Weller had 96 assists and 25 service points for the Lady Mustangs (11-4), while Katelyn Wienbarg and Abby Hutchinson each had 21 kills. Jenna Dreyer and Dior Wood and totaled 17 and 16 digs, respectively, Kaylee McGrew recorded 38 kills and Kathryn Rodenberger had 31 digs. Nicole Baker collected 16 kills and 3.5 blocks and Kaitlin Wagner had nine kills and nine blocks.
"Overall, I thought it was a good day," Kennesaw Mountain coach Tonya Kern-Honea said. "We got to see what we need to work on and where we need to improve. It's August and we have to continue to grow as a team and be patient."
North Cobb Christian lost to Darlington (25-22, 25-21), but beat Druid Hills (25-21, 25-14) to avoid finishing the day winless after its earlier losses to Harrison and Kell.
"Each time we get out there, we get a little bit stronger and a little bit better," Lady Eagles coach Debbie Hathaway said. "We're fine-tuning things and, by the time we hit area (play), we should be ready."
McEachern lost to Parkview (25-19, 25-21) and Northview (25-13, 25-13) before beating Class AAA No. 8 Flowery Branch (25-13, 25-21). The Lady Indians fell to South Forsyth (25-13, 23-25, 27-25).
"We got better as the day went on," said McEachern coach Patty Craven, whose team its now 3-3. "We only played two matches coming into (Saturday), so this is a pretty good start to our season."
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Just FYI, in the print edition, it clear says that it is a Staff file photo and names the young woman as Amanda Jones. The Sports Department often uses photos from the last season to illustrate items coming up in the new season.