Lady Airedales fall in Paris 

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Sports 

The well-traveled Alma Lady Airedales have played a lot of volleyball since the start of the season two weeks ago. 

Alma finished 2-4 last week at a tournament in Florida, then faced off against a stellar Paris team Wednesday night. 

The hard non-conference schedule is part of coach Kim Weaver’s plan. 

“We’re playing Emberly (Kimes) on the outside for the first time; her ceiling is so high,” Weaver said. “ That’s her first match of the year, to play on the outside, and she’s in the 10th grade. Ahlea (Henson) was playing in the middle with us for the first time. And then you have Bailee (Oliver) and Bella (Peters) … we’re adding these different pieces. Combined with the senior leadership and the junior experience, when it all comes together it’s going to be really great. 

“We’re trending in the right direction.”

Alma dropped to 3-5 following a 25-13, 21-25, 25-20, 25-14 loss to the Lady Eagles. Paris has won 86 matches since 2020. 

The Lady Airedales are eager to get there, too. 

Kimes and Maggie Brogan led the Lady Airedales with nine kills apiece. Henson and Breella Hughes finished with eight and five kills, respectively. “That’s pretty consistent,” Weaver said. 

Sophomore Matilyn Dunn finished with 35 assists, 21 digs, and three aces. Senior Mabrey Birchfield added 11 digs for the Lady Airedales. 

Volleyball 

Ellyse Wright had 10 kills, seven digs, a block, and an ace during Alma’s 2-1 (20-25, 25-16, 15-13) win over Paris this week. 

Madie House had six kills, a block assist, an ace, and a dig, while Chloe Kovalck had four kills and Olivia Whipple and Grace Routt added three apiece to power the Alma junior Airedales. Kovalck also had six assists and nine digs for the winners. 

Mallory Taylor added a game-high 17 assists, along with three digs, two aces, and a kill. Also for Alma, Camryn Waters finished with eight digs, and Haven Baxter and Leah Wilson added three and two digs, respectively. 

Bentley Vaught had three digs and led the team in serve-receive with a 1.92 average on 12 attempts. 

Golf 

Piercen Howell shot a 71 to lead the Alma Airedales golf team Wednesday at Eagle Crest Golf Club. 

Chase Wood shot a 79, followed by Carson Curd (81) and Grady Farmer (83). 

Miles Kendrick and Jack Taylor both shot 85, and Parker Morland fired an 89.