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Battle for LKC title proceeds

From left, Roane County’s Kayla Strickland, Lauren Gorman and Cailyn Reynolds attempt a triple block against the spike from Parkersburg’s Shay-Lee Kirby in a match earlier this year inside Memorial Fieldhouse. Photo by Jay W. Bennett

 

PARKERSBURG — The Little Kanawha Conference Night of Champions is set and­­ a new volleyball program will reign supreme following play on Saturday in Ravenswood.

While placement games throughout the conference begin this evening to determine fifth through 14th place, the LKC semifinals are slated to get underway at 4 p.m.

LKC West champion Tyler Consolidated will take on Calhoun County in one semifinal at The Pit. At the same time in the new gym, LKC East champion Roane County is set to tangle with Williamstown. The championship showdown will follow in The Pit with the consolation match scheduled for the new gym.

“We have three good seniors,” stated TCHS head coach Richard Summers. “Madison West is a four-year starter at libero and is playing well. Macy Long is one of the better setters and Abbie Fletcher is an excellent hitter. They have done a great job of leading this year.”

Fletcher just surpassed 1,000 career kills and is on pace to finish as the No. 2 spiker in school history behind Cameron Yoho.

“We’re happy to be in it, but it’s never really a goal,” added Summers, whose squads have won LKC crowns in 2007 and 2012. “Our goal is to play our best in the postseason and everything we do is with that in mind.”

The Silver Knights have not faced off against the Red Devils, who are led by returning first-team all-LKC setter Makayla Smith, but Summers stressed “I know they have seven seniors and four juniors. That kind of maturity is enough to make any team good.”

Last fall, Ritchie County knocked off Clay County in five sets to win the LKC title. The Panthers are set to play host to defending Class A state champion Wirt County at 7 p.m. on Friday for fifth place.

Williamstown head coach Rachelle Cole’s Yellowjackets, who have been led in hitting by Brooke Stewart (312 kills), Courtney Dotson (234), Nellie King (172) and Bethany Arnold (172) also boast returning Class A all-state setter BreeAnn Reynolds and her 3,000-plus career assists.

“Our main focus to get in the NOC was getting two more quality games in before sectionals started,” Cole admitted. “We noticed some things we could fix before we got too deep into the season so we made some changes in order to have time to work out the kinks.

“At this point, we are happy to have the opportunity to play in the NOC. Our focus from here on out will be working on the things we can control, playing as a team and taking each game one point at a time.”

When the Yellowjackets take on Roane County, which has been led by Cailyn Reynolds (238 kills), Hannah McKown (230 kills) and Chasity Drennen (83 aces), it will mark the first time they’ve met this season.

The seventh place match with Ravenswood playing at Gilmer County is tentatively set for 6 p.m. today. However, getting officials could be problematic and fans are asked to check with their respective school today for the most current information.

Also on tap for this evening are Ritchie County at Braxton County (ninth), Parkersburg Catholic at Doddridge County (11th) and St. Marys at Webster County (13th).

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