Indy, Mavs win section openers

HINTON — Independence and James Monroe opened play in the Class AA Region 3, Section 1 volleyball tournament by grabbing decisive victories over Summers County and Liberty Tuesday at Summers County High School.

No. 2 seed Independence (28-15-6) handed the No. 3-seeded Bobcats a 25-14, 27-25, 25-12 loss.

Danielle Meadows led the Patriots, serving up 15 points and seven aces. Melissa Billings added 11 service points and Hannah McCargish came with 10 points and four aces.

“We had some good play by Melissa off the bench,” Patriots coach Sherri Sisk said. “Our setters (Meadows and McCargish) went in and served really well. They helped us out of a few holes.”

Billings made the most of her playing time in the third game. With Independence trailing 6-2, she served up all 11 of her points to rally the Patriots.

“Morgan (Bryant’s) had a turned ankle since we played down in Huntington (Oct. 22),” Sisk said. “After the first game Melissa went in and gave her a break so we could see how her ankle was doing. Then the third game, Candi had been struggling a little bit and she was able to go in and help her out. It’s good to have a player like (Billings) who can go in at any position and get the job done.”

The second game, though, was the one that took the wind out of Summers County (21-11-2).

“That was probably the best game, obviously,” Summers coach Laura Rollyson said. “That’s us. That’s our team. Independence doesn’t know what Summers County really does play like because we never play good against them. It’s like we’re scared of them or something.

Ahead 24-22, the Bobcats couldn’t put the game away.

“We’re such a mental team,” Rollyson said. “Once we get down, that’s it. I just wish the team could establish a little heart and learn how to pick themselves up. When they get to that point, as a coach, you don’t know what to say to them.”

A Brittany Murdock kill, a McCargish ace and a service error by the Bobcats knotted game two at 25.

Ashley Justice served up an ace for the lead and Stacie Buchanan ended the game with a kill.

At the net, Megan Kelly topped the Patriots with 10 kills and one block. Bryant contributed seven kills, while Buchanan and Justice tallied six kills and five kills, respectively.

“Ashley, Megan and Morgan — they all hit the ball well,” Sisk said. “Summers is a good blocking team but they were getting around their blocks.”

In the other opening contest, James Monroe (8-22) came back to beat Liberty 19-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-23.

The Raiders (12-22-2) looked strong in the first contest but James Monroe’s young team found its confidence as the match progressed.

“We started hitting our hits a little too soft,” Liberty coach Charles Kuhn said. “We were a little too cautious and started playing a bump game more or less. That got James Monroe’s confidence up and it was a battle. We just came out on the short end.”

The Mavericks were led at the service line by Brittani Canterbury and Taylor King.

Canterbury accounted for 14 points and two aces, while King added 11 points and eight aces.

James Monroe’s Katy Ludwig scorched the nets for 15 kills.

“She does very well,” Mavericks coach Desiree Bradley said. “(Ludwig) went out there and she just left it all out there. She hit everything that came to her.”

Olivia Utterback contributed 34 assists.

Channing Daniels served up 24 points and four aces for the Raiders.

In the late games, Shady Spring sent James Monroe to the elimination bracket with a 25-18, 25-16, 25-10 victory and Summers County eliminated Liberty, 25-19, 25-22, 23-25, 25-12.

Independence will play Shady Spring at 6 p.m. today and Summer County will play James Monroe in the elimination bracket.