Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Potter-Dix sophomore Kylie Fiehtner goes up high for the kill during the first set of the Lady Coyote's match against Leyton on Thursday.
Potter-Dix's Lady Coyote volleyball team made the familiar journey to Dalton to rekindle their rivalry with the Leyton Lady Warriors, and delivered a solid performance against an opponent that had the upper hand against them for the last few years.
With the graduation of key seniors Madelyn Watchorn and Alyson Holt, and with new head coach Katie Winkler, the Lady Warriors knew they'd have a battle on their hands against the Lady Coyotes.
The first match of the triangular meet (with Minatare waiting on the sidelines) featured the rivals, and Potter-Dix jumped out to an early lead while Leyton struggled with setting the ball and their hits. Potter-Dix also has a new head coach, Keri Mendoza, but is heading up a team with more experience and size with the Lady Coyotes.
Potter-Dix did a great job setting the ball and scoring, and pulled out to a substantial lead. But the team lost focus, and let the Lady Warriors creep back into the match. Potter-Dix was eventually able to stop the Leyton rally, and took the first set 25-to-21. The second set had a similar rhythm, with Potter-Dix's Mikayla Lee, Jayden Shoemaker and Kylie Fiehtner dominating up front, while Leyton again struggled to set the ball and was forced into too many free ball returns. Leyton's Courtney Holt did a great job blocking and disrupting the Potter-Dix attack, and again the Lady Warriors narrowed the gap at the end of the set. This time, Holt went on a service run late in the set, and tied the match up. But Potter-Dix was able to avoid disaster, and pulled out the second set win 26-to-24.
Potter-Dix was in more control during the third set, and Leyton never threatened. With great serves and an outstanding setting performance by sophomore Kallie Crossman, the Lady Coyotes cruised to a 25-to-13 third set win and a 3-to-0 match victory.
After the match, Potter-Dix Head Coach Keri Mendoza said, "We've worked hard on staying focused and communicating. We've also moved Mikayla, Jayden and Kylie around a bit to open some new attack zones offensively. And Kallie (Crossman) has done a great job in gaining confidence and making smart decisions. Her fast feet and amazingly soft hands has really helped her become a great setter."
Both teams also faced the Minatare, and both teams were unable to defeat the Lady Indians. Leyton was able to win a set, but fell 25-to-18, 22-to-25 and 26-to-24 in a tough matchup. The Potter-Dix girls however, perhaps a bit drained after their victory over Leyton, fell in straight sets 25-to-21 and 25-to-18.
