Hornets beat Maplesville in fifth match in four days
Published 9:31 pm Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Dallas County’s Alexis Goodwin hits the ball during Tuesday’s three-set victory over Maplesville in Plantersville. Goodwin and the Hornets rebounded from an early deficit in the second set, but controlled the match the rest of the way. –Daniel Evans
After falling behind 8-3 in the second set of Tuesday’s volleyball match against Maplesville, the Dallas County Hornets dug deep to turn things around.
Behind several aces by Nikki Hamilton and three kills by Alexis Goodwin, Dallas County won 21 of the next 24 points to steal back the momentum. The Hornets won that set and swept the match 25-22, 25-12, 25-19.
“I think we underestimated Maplesville a little bit. Then they realized ‘Hey, Maplesville is here to play,’ and that’s when our girls had to pick up their game,” said Dallas County coach Linda Moore.
It was the fifth match in four days for Dallas County. After winning Saturday’s inaugural county tournament at Selma High School, the Hornets lost to Calera on Monday.
The team bounced back quickly Tuesday, although Maplesville made it interesting.
The Red Devils led the majority of the first set, only to fall behind after an ace by Lindsey McIlwain. Taylor Moore had two aces and a perfectly placed return — where she faked out the Maplesville defenders, who thought she was setting up a teammate — to help Dallas County take a 23-20 lead.
The next two Dallas County points came off Maplesville errors. The Red Devils were called for an illegal lift and then served the ball out of bounds.
With the Hornets playing some of their reserves, Maplesville took a big lead early in the second set. As the starters returned to the court, Dallas County started to take back control.
“I’m glad that they refocused and battled back,” Moore said.
Dallas County won the set big and carried the momentum into the third set. Led by Moore’s serving, the Hornets won the first six points of the third set. Dallas County led 14-8 after a wild play where McIlwain flipped the ball over her head and somehow managed to land the ball inbounds. The Hornets led by as much as 21-12 before Maplesville closed with a run to get within five.
“We’ve just got to work harder,” Moore said.
“That’s always. We’ve just got to work harder.”
Moore said the team has responded to such a busy start to the year. After a lot of anticipation in the offseason, the Hornets are finally on the floor and playing a lot of volleyball.
“They’ve been anticipating this season and they want it to be the best that it possibly can be,” Moore said. “We have a long way to go. Every game we’re trying to get better and better.”
Dallas County plays at Autaugaville on Thursday.
