A dandy 3A, Area 11 VB match between Vinemont & Holly Pond:
Vinemont wins 3 to 2 to take 1st place in 3A, Area 11 volleyball:
GDW Analysis:
VINEMONT: Gameday Weekly anticipated Thursday's 3A, Area 11 volleyball match between Vinemont and Holly Pond would go down to the wire.
It did as the two fought it off in 5 sets with Vinemont coming from behind for a 3 to 2 triumph, winning the last two sets. The match at Vinemont Gymnasium was played in 1 hour, 56 minutes.
Both shared the area lead at 2 & 0 coming in. Holly Pond had played a tiebreaker two days prior in winning at Hanceville and had momentum to take the opening set 25 to 14.
Vinemont squared up the series at a win apiece in claiming Game 2 by a 25 to 13 margin.
Holly Pond moved ahead with a 25 to 20 verdict in Game 3.
Facing a challenge, Vinemont answered in the 4th set for a 25 to 14 decision, sending this clash into a 5th set.
Vinemont was able to take advantage of a Holly Pond service era, tie the score and then go on to win the set at 15 to 11.
Giving a solid performance in the match for Adrien Adams' Lady Broncos were left handed sophomore Sadie Nail and consistency from senior Blakely Baggett, sophomore Cira Thrift, sophomore Anna Olinger and sophomore Ava Olinger.
Holly Pond is young with four sophomores in the starting role then Baggett and Ava Thomas who are seniors. The Lady Broncos had been on a surge of five victories in their last six assignments entering Thursday's schedule.
For Kaydi Woodard and her Vinemont group, she was happy to have setter Mabri Smith back after she was out for 5 matches last Saturday in the Vinemont Invitational with concussion symptoms.
Strong play by seniors Addison Holcomb, Caroline Miller and Reagan Robinson have been seen by GDW for assignments on August 23, 26, 30 and Thursday.
Playing consistent and giving them another stout attacker up front is sophomore Arleigh Thomason.
Junior Natalie Foell had some moments from the front line and some blocks in crucial moments came courtesy of junior Callie Briggs.
Defensive specialist Lizzy Flores went down with a shoulder injury in the 4th set and was done for the rest of the match.
Freshman Delia Woodard stepped in and showed confidence with Kimberly Patino taking over Flores' position when it came to serving the ball.
Vinemont has the best record of local VB at 14 wins and 5 losses, 3 & 0 in the area.
Holly Pond fell to 2 & 1 in the area and 8 & 5 for the season.
This was Vinemont's first match in county play as they are 1 & 0. Holly Pond is 2 & 3 in the county standings as they have not played Fairview so far in the season.
Holly Pond is hosting the Monica Ayers Classic Saturday with round robin assignments vs. Cleveland at 9:00, Coosa Christian at 11:00 and Gaylesville at 2:00 p.m.
Vinemont is also in the Ayers Classic with its Saturday schedule of Sylvania at 9:00, Oneonta at 12:00 and West End at 4:00 p.m.
This will be played at Dwayne Adams Court/Felton Easterwood Gym in Holly Pond.
Photo of team captains before Thursday's Holly Pond at Vinemont VB match. On the near side is Vinemont coach Kaydi Woodard and captains Caroline Miller (23) and Addison Holcomb.
On the far side is Holly Pond captains (L to R), Ava Thomas, Morgan Bartlett and Blakely Baggett.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
