Lady Lions stay strong in season play

Varsity vs. Taylor
The Lady Lions traveled to Taylor last Friday night and suffered their first loss of the season in a best of five match.
The Lady Lions came out strong the first game and won a very hard-fought match 25-23. Jenee Clay led the Lady Lions in the first game with four kills, while Ashley Johnson led the defensive effort with four digs and four serv

ice receptions.
The Lady Ducks came back to win the next three games by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-21.
The Lady Lions jumped out quick in the second game and took an early 8-2 lead. Taylor then took over the game and the match as the Lady lions were never able to fully recover.
“We did not show the mental toughness in the close games that we had been exhibiting in earlier matches,” said Coach Jeff Witte. “Up to this point in games that were close the Ladies had shown the mental and physical toughness to pull the games out. We are going to have to refocus this week and get that mental edge back that we had previously shown.”
According to Witte, most volleyball games are played within five or six points. Those teams that can focus on doing the little things right will be able to win the close games.
“We definitely saw some areas that we need to work on this next week to be able to win those close games,” he said. “The second game we had a total letdown after jumping out to an early lead. The ability to continue pushing through when we have somebody down is going to be critical.”
After losing that early lead and eventually the second game, the confidence level fell off and the Lady Lions were never able to regain the confidence they had been displaying. Kelly Witte, coming back after missing the last three games, led the Lady Lions with 12 kills, 23 digs and 13 solo blocks. Natalie Raemsch followed with eight kills, four digs and four blocks. Ashley Moore had 13 digs and 15 service receptions, followed closely by Ashley Johnson with 12 digs and 18 service receptions. Shelbi Henrichs led the assist category with 15, followed by Meredith Moore with nine and Andrea Carter with four.

Varsity vs. Comfort-Stockdale
The Lady Lions Varsity Volleyball team hosted a tri-match with Comfort and Stockdale last week. Lockhart faced Stockdale in the opener, and after jumping out to an early 9-2 lead, lost a hard fought game 25-27.
The Lady Lions came roaring back to take the next three games 25-14, 25-19 and 25-15. The Lady Lions were led by Natalie Raemsch with nine kills followed by Camille Clay with eight. Jenee Clay served a team-high 27 points, followed by Ashley Moore with 20 points. Mariah Carter led the defensive effort with five blocks. Ashley Moore and Brianna Hinnenkamp led the team in digs with 14 and 13 respectively. Shelbi Hendrichs had a team-high 20 assists.
In the nightcap the Lady Lions defeated Comfort in three straight games by scores of 25-19, 25-20 and 25-16.
Raemsch once again led the Lions in kills with seven. Jenee Clay, Camille Clay and Ashley Moore followed with six each. Mariah Carter was in on a total of 10 blocks. Ashley Johnson led the team with 10 digs from her Libero spot. Shelbi Henrichs had 18 assists from her setter”s spot.
“Overall I was impressed by our mental toughness,” Coach Witte said. “Our mental lapses are becoming fewer and further apart. I have been pleased with the progress up to this point. With continued improvement both mentally and physically we should be ready come district play.”
The Lady Lions hosted the Bastrop Lady Bears on Tuesday. They will travel to the powerful San Marcos Ragin” Rattler Tournament on Thursday and Saturday. Watch next week”s Post-Register for match results.
(Courtesy of Jeff Witte)