Jay Compton
Sports Editor
Harlan’s volleyball team posted a third straight win Monday with a 25-21, 25-19 victory at Middlesboro in 52nd District action.
A strong service game from Tori Mitchell and the play at net from Taylor Hall led the way for the Lady Dragons.
For Middlesboro, it was more of the same story. The Lady Jackets played well for long stretches, but a lapse in focus turned into a run for the opposing team and they weren’t able to recover.
It was a tight first set with Middlesboro’s Carissa Padgett delivering five kills from every which angle. She scored points on a couple of spikes, two blocks and even on a over-head bump that caught the Lady Dragons off guard.
That point got the Lady Jackets within 19-17, but Harlan was able to pull out the set. A Hall spike looked to be heading out of bounds when a Middlesboro player reached out to punch it back toward the net, but it went into the floor instead to push the lead to 23-20. The Lady Jackets let another ball fall in after a high bump and a Desiree Bowman point gave Harlan the set 25-21.
In set number two, Middlesboro took advantage of a pair of off-target Harlan serves and kills from Padgett and Anajae Stephney put the Lady Jackets up 4-1.
MHS held an 8-4 advantage, but hit a ball into the net. Johnson came on to serve and Harlan reeled off six straight points to take an 11-8 lead. Johnson delivered an ace and a couple other serves that that the Lady Jackets were unable to return.
The Lady Dragons maintained that cushion the rest of the way, with most of their points coming on hits either into the net or out of bounds by Middlesboro.
Hall delivered match point, tapping a ball between the MHS front and back lines for the clincher.
Both teams return to action today with Harlan (6-4, 2-2) at Red Bird and Middlesboro (0-13, 0-5) hosting Whitley County.
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