The Harmony Grove Lady Hornets volleyball team are in their second season as a program and are already feeling the excitement of development.
On Tuesday, the Lady Hornets found themselves down two sets, facing a three-set sweep against the Smackover Lady Buckaroos. The team, however, dug deep to push for the biggest comeback in program history, ending their final set with a 3-2 win.
Harmony Grove kicked off the first set with a 4-1 lead, but eventually found themselves making serving and dig errors.
In the second set, head coach Heather Johnson opted to rest her starters for a new lineup. This unit of second-stringers and young players managed to put pressure on the Lady Buckaroos. Several of the Lady Hornets were able to establish a rhythm of aces and points from solid serves. While Smackover won the second set 25-23, Harmony Grove made it a challenge for older players at Smackover.
Down 2-0, the Lady Hornets couldn't afford another set loss. Refreshed and determined, the Lady Hornets planned to establish a better rhythm and time of attack.
Senior Eliza Taylor, who played in the first set, continued to be the offensive spark the Lady Hornets needed, with tenacious spikes and deflections through the remainder of the game. Julia Hutchins and Madison Hodges established a solid rhythm of aces to help give Harmony Grove their first set win.
Hutchins, Hodges and Taylor gave Harmony Grove the confidence to push for a long comeback.
On the defensive end side of the court, senior Anna Kate Adkins, junior Aria Nipp and sophomore Peyton Priddy made the clutch saves consistently and helped block hard shots from the Lady Buckaroos.
One impact player that made a significant difference throughout the night for the Lady Hornets was senior Roosa Maekaeraeinen, a foreign exchange student from Finland. Maekaeraeinen accounted for numerous ace serves since she first made her appearance in the second set of the game.
The Lady Hornets (2-2) got their second win of the season, both against their Lady Buckaroos rivals. They are set to go on the road this Monday night to face the Nevada Lady Blue Jays (1-3).
Photo By: Michael Hanich
Senior Anna Kate Adkins gets set to serve the ball in the game against Smackover on Tuesday, September 12.
Photo By: Michael Hanich
Senior Eliza Taylor hits the ball over the net in the game against Smackover on Tuesday, September 12.