When Todd County Central and Franklin-Simpson get together on the volleyball court, it usually goes more than three sets. After five straight matches between the two schools of more than three sets, the Lady Rebels made sure there was not a sixth Monday as they rolled the Lady Cats in straight sets in the 13th District Tournament at Logan County.
Todd County Central will play host Logan County Tuesday night in the championship.
Both teams battled through nerves and inconsistent play in a first set that featured 10 ties and 10 service errors between the teams. Todd struggled with its play at the net in falling behind 18-16. They ran off five straight points to go up 21-18. The Lady Rebels couldn’t close out the set up 24-23 but took advantage of the fourth service error of the set by Franklin-Simpson and closed out a 26-24 set win.
There was no such drama in the second set as Todd County jumped out to a 5-0 lead behind the serving of Meredith Drummond. Lanie Bivins was particularly effective at the net with two kills and three blocks. Todd coasted to the 25-11 set win as Lucy Chester closed it out with two straight kills.
Franklin-Simpson showed they weren’t ready to board the bus and head home down 0-2 as they forced five ties in the third set to get to 14-14. A pair of service errors allowed the Lady Rebels to push their lead out to 18-15, and Franklin-Simpson never regained the lead.
Lynlee Jones’ perfectly placed shot ended the third set with a 25-23 Lady Rebel win. It was Todd County Central’s first three-set win over Franklin-Simpson since the 2016 district tournament.
Jones finished the match with five kills and an assist. Bivins also had five kills and four blocks at the net. Chester had 11 kills, eight digs, and three of Todd County’s nine aces.
Presley Conquest had seven digs, and four kills and Drummond also had seven digs. Addileigh Wofford contributed 20 assists.
Todd County Central improved to 10-10 on the season. In addition to playing for the district title Tuesday, they will advance to next week’s region tournament at Russell County.
