RUSSELL —
Sometimes it takes playing a district rival to get a team out of its funk.
With a four-game losing streak, Russell was ready to get back to business against Lewis County.
Russell used a 14-1 start and a strong net game to defeat 63rd District rival Lewis County in three straight games (25-10, 25-20, 25-12) on Tuesday night at Russell High School.
And while the quick start was big, Russell coach Darrell Adkins was happier his team didn’t let the big lead go to waste.
“We went over to South Point last night (Monday) and won the first set big and then just fell apart,” Adkins said. “So I’m glad we got off to the quick start, I appreciate the quick start, but I’m happier that we kept playing right on through and we didn’t slide back down.”
The Lady Devils got off to a quick run in the first game, overmatching Lewis County at the net and cruising to a win.
The second and third games were more competitive, but in the end Russell’s stellar net play turned the tides in favor of the Lady Devils.
Adkins credited his team for not only making good passes, but setting the ball up for the Lady Devils’ hitters.
“When we play and get them the ball we’re really hard to beat,” Adkins said of his front line. “When our back row passes well and we get the sets and get the ball to our hitters we’re good. And tonight we got the ball to our hitters. That was the difference in the game.”
Leading the way up front for Russell (21-10) were seniors Arden Gross and Sydney Watkins.
Watkins finished the game with 12 kills and three aces, while Gross finished with four kills and two aces while being responsible for nine points off serve.
After losing a lot of firepower from the front line last year, Gross said she and Watkins are doing whatever they can to provide a solid foundation when playing at the net.
“When we have a chance to be up at the net, we’re all about it,” Gross said. “It’s our year to shine and we really stepped it up this year. I love being a senior and love being a leader, and Sydney feels the same way.
“I guess ‘senioritis’ has taken over.”
And while the seniors provided key plays at the net, it was freshman Emma Ison who added another punch for the Lady Devils.
Ison picked up eight kills and two aces and, according to Gross, will be a huge key in the Lady Devils’ run at the end of the season.
“From the beginning of the year to this point now you wouldn’t have known who she was,” Gross said. “She’s been two completely different players. She jumps higher, hits harder and she’s getting ball down and in, and that’s something we needed to add to our team.”
With Watkins and Gross, the seniors have the size to make other teams fear their presence at the net.
But with Ison, who is considerably smaller than the two seniors, she surprises some with her ability and the power she puts into the ball.
“She’s not real big,” Adkins said. “But I think she’s going to be really, really good. I’d like to see her grow six more inches, but that’s probably not going to happen.”
Lewis County (15-8) has shown sparks this season, but has struggled against the district, going 1-5. Its only district win came against Greenup County.
Senior Tori Liles led the Lady Lions with five kills and an ace.
With the win, Russell is on track to be the 63rd District’s No. 1 seed come tournament time. The Lady Devils have two more district games against Greenup County and Raceland.
But even with the No. 1 seed in his team’s sight, Adkins is still wary about what could happen in the next few weeks.
“Our district is so tough I’m not sure how much it helps you to be seeded No. 1 because everybody is competitive,” Adkins said. “There is not really a four seed out there. And if you look at the region’s top five teams, four of them are in this district in my opinion.
“There is no good draw really, but we still want to be that first seed.”
KYLE HOBSTETTER can be reached at khobstetter@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2658.
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