Alma JH improves to 9-1
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Alma junior high coach Whitney Adams likes what she sees in her roster.
But she knows the team needs to remain focused if they want to keep a share of the conference lead.
The Lady Airedales’ junior high team rolled to a 25-18, 25-19 win over Harrison Wednesday for the team’s ninth victory in 10 games.
Alma and Van Buren are currently 2-0 in conference play. Harrison dropped to 0-2.
“They do work hard when they’re pushed to work hard,” Adams said. “They crave tough competition, and when they don’t receive tough competition they like to slack off a little bit, which you can probably say about any team.
“I know big matches come, like Greenwood and Van Buren, they’re going to be amped up and ready to go.”
Anna Swarnes and Emberly Kimes finished with five kills apiece for the winners. Swarnes also passed with a 1.75 in serve-receive on eight attempts. She added four digs and an ace.
In addition to her five kills, Kimes assed on a block and had two digs. Isabella Peters added even digs, two digs, one assist, an ace, and a block assist. Matilyn Dunn led Alma with 10 assists, one kill, one ace, and a dig.
Jaslyn Boone added four aces and four assists, five digs, and one kill. Jaeda Cahoon had four digs, and Peyton Morris had two kills and one dig, and Bailee Oliver added seven digs and two aces.
The Lady Airedales’ eighth grade won as well in two sets.
Olivia Hughes and Jaeli Morris had six and five kills, respectively. Hughes added three aces and two digs. Olivia Whipple finished with four kills.
Chloe Kovalck led the way with 16 assists. She also had three digs and a kill. Teammate Ellyse Wright had three kills, a block, and a dig. Madelyn House had three digs and a pair of kills, and Faylyn Holt finished with five assists, three digs, and an ace.
Also for Alma, Bentley Vaughn had three digs and two aces; Camryn Waters finished with a pair of aces. Kadee Wise, Leah Wilson, and Raelynn Avey each had a dig.