Volleyball – 70th Annual LHS Classic
Photo by Christy Porter
Kamryn Barnes and Abbie Sullins team up for a block in the Houston game during pool play Saturday.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
The Licking volleyball team began the week leading up to the LHS Classic with a loss. They travelled to Summersville to meet one of their Texas County rivals on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Taking the best of five match to four sets, Licking fell to Summersville, 25-23, 21-25, 22-25 and 15-25.
Thursday’s game against Dixon offered a reprieve and the Lady Wildcats varsity and junior varsity left nothing to doubt, winning every set. Varsity scores were 25-15, 25-15 and 25-7. JV won their best of three match, 25-23 and 25-17.
Photo by Shari Harris
Kamryn Barnes’ kill blows by Liberty’s blockers in the third place match Saturday evening.
Saturday brought some of the best players to compete at the Sherman Hill Fieldhouse for the 70th Annual LHS Classic.
In pool play, Licking defeated Salem 26-24 and 25-14. Park Hills Central proved to be more formidable, handing the Wildcats a loss, 17-25 and 24-26. Houston was next, falling to the mighty ‘Cats 25-22 and 25-21. In an attempt to avenge Tuesday night’s loss, the Lady ‘Cats split with Summersville, 22-25 and 25-14. This was enough to get out of pool play and into the tournament.
Licking faced another powerful Texas County opponent in the semi-finals – Cabool. In a very close match, going three sets, the Lady ‘Cats fell 21-25, 25-22, and 24-26. This set the stage for a Mtn. View/Liberty showdown for the third place title. Cabool moved on to face Park Hills Central in the championship game.
Despite taking the first set 25-20, Liberty battled back from a deficit to take the second set, 22-25. Licking fell behind early in the third set, and the display of power and hustle from both teams, so evident in the first two sets, appeared to wane in the third. Despite Licking mounting a comeback, Mtn. View/Liberty overpowered Licking 21-25 to take the third place title.
Park Hills Central finished in first place and Cabool was second in the tournament.
Licking missed their chance to avenge their loss to Mtn. View on Monday when the game was cancelled. However, with the Class 2 districts just around the corner, they may face Cabool again. With the improvements the team displayed during the tournament Saturday, and with two more weeks of the season left to hone their skills, the potential is there to claim the district title again.
