Lady Lions start season strong

Varsity Volleyball scores big wins over Smithville, Luling
Lady Lions v. Luling
28-26, 30-28, 25-21
The Lady Lions Volleyball team played their home opener Friday against Caldwell County rival Luling. The Lady Lions swept the match 3 games to 0. The scores were 28-26, 30-28 and 25-21. This was a very exciting match as all of the games were extremely close a

nd some going extra points to determine the winner.
These were games that the fans really enjoyed, as they were well played and very close. The players responded very well to the tight games and were able to come out victorious in all three games.
“It takes a lot of mental toughness to win the close games and the Lady Lions showed the mental toughness necessary to come out victorious,” said Head Coach Jeff Witte. “We hope that winning these close games will pay off once District play starts.”
The Lady Lions were lead by some outstanding play from their front line of Brianna Hinnenkamp, Ashley Moore, Natalie Raemsch, Jenee Clay, Camille Clay and Mariah Carter.
Lockhart had several good kills that initiated some good scoring rallies. J. Clay led the team with 8 kills, followed by Raemsch with 7. Ashley Johnson led the back row by making several key digs that led to eventual points.
The team tried A. Carter in the back row for the first time. The Eagles tried to pick on her with three consecutive serves to her. She responded by digging them all up and getting them to Lady Lion setters. Ashley Johnson led the Lady Lions in digs with 9.
The setters, Shelbi Henrichs and Meredith Moore continue to improve their setting skills and putting the ball in a place the hitters can do something with it, coaches said.
Henrichs led the Lady Lions with 17 assists.
Witte said there are areas the Lady Lions need to iron out before the beginning of district play, but also noted that the steady improvement exhibited by the team as a whole casts a bright outlook for the season. Three teams in the district are ranked among the top 20 in the state, two in the top 10.
The fans turned out in force to support the Lady Lions on Friday night, coaches said. Fan support is critical in making the Lions Den a “difficult place to come and play,” and the Lady Lions hope the fans will continue to come out and bring friends throughout the season.
(Courtesy of Jeff Witte)

Lady Lions v. Smithville
25-20, 25-17, 25-18
The Lady Lion Varsity Volleyball team opened the season on the road against Smithville on Tuesday, Aug. 15. The Lady Lions swept the match in three straight games with scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-18.
The Lady Lions were led by Shelby Henrichs with 16 assists, Kelly Witte with 8 kills, 5 blocks, 7 digs and 2 aces. Natalie Raemsch had 4 kills. Brianna Hinnenkamp had 7 kills, 7 digs and 3 aces; Mariah Carter with 4 kills and 6 blocks; Ashley Moore with 3 blocks, 4 digs and 6 aces.
“The Lady Lions showed flashes of some outstanding play during the course of the match,” said Head Coach Jeff Witte. “We are beginning to make small strides in the direction we want to go. We still need lots of work on timing between our setters and hitters in order to develop a more potent offense.”
One of the highlights of the match saw Moore serving 8 straight points with 3 of them being aces.
The Lady Lions will travel to Taylor on Aug. 25, and then square off with the Bastrop Lady Bears at home in the Lions” Den on Aug. 29.