Oct. 24, 2012 — The East Carter Lady Raiders Volleyball team’s season came to an end last Wednesday in the 16th Region Tournament Semifinals against Russell 3-1 (25-14, 25-10, 19-25, 25-15).
The 62nd District Champions immediately fell behind 9-2 in the first set where the Lady Devils outscored the Lady Raiders 16-5 to take the first set.
The second set was a lot like the first with Russell racing out to a 10-1 advantage en route to a 2-0 lead in the match.
“We just have ‘Russellitis’ I guess,” East Carter Coach Cathy Harris said. “I knew my girls had to move their feet and they just couldn’t do it in the first two games.”
Regrouping after the first two sets, East took advantage of several miscues to rally and win the third set, 25-19.
But it was all Lady Devils in the fourth set as they finished off East Carter winning 25-15.
“They came alive in the third set but it was too little, too late,” Harris said. “I’m proud of their effort. I wish they had started a little earlier, but they did well.”
Russell’s Sydney Watkins was a menace for the Lady Raiders as she led the way with 15 kills. Arden Gross had nine kills and two aces.
Whitney Gollihue paced East Carter with 11 kills.
Russell eventually defeated Rowan County in the championship to represent the 16th Region at the State Tournament this week.
The Lady Raiders finish the season at 18-17, which is not bad for a team that finished the season winning eight of its last 11 matches. The program says goodbye to three seniors, Stephanie Gollihue, Kacy Obrien and Ashli Smith.
“It’s very hard to say goodbye to them,” Harris said. “But I still have a pretty young team with mostly sophomores and that’s what we’re going to build on.”
After the match, Harris spoke to her team and said to keep their heads up high after a great season.
“I told them I hope they learn that they can play with teams like Russell, Ashland and Rowan County,” Harris said. “It just takes a little more confidence.”
