VB: Ladycats take crucial match from Timpson
Friday's match with Timpson. The Ladycats won the match, 25-9,
25-16, 25-18. (Photo by John Krueger)
BECKVILLE, Tx -- In a match that could go a long way in determining one of the final playoff spots in the District 20-1A race, the Beckville Ladycats used 18 service aces and took advantage of strong net play and nine service errors by Timpson to record a 25-9, 25-16, 25-18 sweep of the Lady Bears here in Bearcat Gymnasium Friday afternoon.
The victory improved the Ladycats to 21-12 on the year, but more importantly 4-2 in league play as Beckville won its fourth match in its last five. Timpson lost for the second time in three matches, falling to 9-20 on the season, 2-4 in the district.
The Ladycats will now host Gary Tuesday afternoon (JV/V) at 4:30 p.m., while Timpson travels to Leverett's Chapel (JV,V), 4:30 p.m.
Beckville's aggressive serving resulted in the Ladycats committing five service errors in 73 attempts, but the Ladycats also produced 18 aces. Shelbi Jo Dodson led BHS with five aces, while Taylor Lindsay, Montana Searcy and Emma Smith each picked up three. Ivy Rieke and Dalye Alfaro added two aces apiece.
Timpson was only 37-of-46 (80.4%) behind the service line, Madison Pierce led the Lady Bears with three aces, while Harley Martin added two and Dustee Tipton added one.
Beckville controlled the net play, producing 26 kills and two blocks. T'Ouja Adams slammed seven kills, while Rieke was just behind with six. Lindsay and Dodson each finished with five kills apiece, Cheyenne Haynes added two and Smith had one.
Tipton, Caitlyn Smith and Kaylie Bush each had one kill apiece for the Lady Bears.
Alfaro led the Ladycats in digs with nine, with Dodson adding seven, Rieke produced five and Smith and Maya Bradford each chipped in four.
Adams had both blocks for Beckville.
Set 1
The Ladycats got off to a fast start in the match by scoring the first nine points. After the teams traded points and serves, Smith served four straight points for BHS, including an ace. Dodson and Rieke added kills as the Ladycats built a 16-3 lead.
After an ace by Timpson's Pierce, Dodson served a pair of aces for Beckville and Adams ended the set with a pair of kills, creating the 25-8 final.
Set 2
The Lady Bears started faster in the second set. After an ace by Smith, Pierce placed a sharp placement of the ball for a Timpson point and Tipton served three straight points to give THS a 5-3 lead.
But Beckville came alive as Searcy stepped to the service line as Smith's kill tied the set at 7-7 and she served six straight points - including a pair of aces. Dodson also scored twice during the run, one with a tip and another point with a kill. At the end of the run the Ladycats led 13-7 and THS called a timeout.
The teams traded points until Dodson served a pair of aces and Alfaro added one of her own later and the 8-2 Beckville run put the Ladycats in control of Set 2 with a 22-12 lead.
Timpson fought back with a tip and a kill by Bush, but Beckville ended the set on top with a 25-16 win.
Set 3
Timpson played the third set like it was going to extend the match, scoring seven of the first eight points to take a 7-1 lead. Tipton served four straight points, including an ace.
But the Ladycats began to chip away at the lead. Lindsay served three points, with one score coming via an ace. Searcy then served four points for BHS to give the Ladycats a 10-8 lead.
After an ace by Timpson's Pierce, Dodson nailed a pair of aces of her own and Lindsay added one to give the 'Cats a 19-16 lead.
A kill by Dodson, a block by Adams and three aces down the stretch by Rieke ended the match with a 25-18 victory.