The Lady Bengals started region play last week with a 3-1 win overSpring Valley(25-14, 25-27, 25-13 and 25-10). The Vikings jumped to an early lead in the first game and forced Blythewood to come from behind to win the first game 25-14. After the match Blythewood head coach Mary Hall said she was proud of the way her team responded being down early.
“It showed that we can bear down and refocus to get things back under control,” Hall said.
Despite giving up the lead in the first game, Spring Valley was not going away quietly. The Vikings tied the match up at 1-1 in the second game with a 25-27 win. Hall was not surprised by the resiliency of Spring Valley.
“We knew they would come in motivated,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for them and they are very well coached.”
Blythewood would go on for the match win by taking the next two games 25-13 and 25-10. The atmosphere of playing in their home gym and the support from the crowd may have given the Lady Bengals the extra added boost they needed.
“I loved the student section tonight,” Hall said. “I was so pleased they (students), the parents and all the community came out to show support.”
Hall added, “It’s huge because these young ladies work hard and it’s important for them to have a fan base.”
Meredith Jones and Abreia Epps led the attacking with 21 and 14 kills respectively. Gabby Martinez had a flawless night setting the ball with a game high 42 assists and no errors. Defensively, Epps led the team in digs with 15 and BiJonae Jones cracked double digits with 11.
On Tuesday night Blythewood made quick work of Richland Northeast by taking the match 3-0 (25-7, 25-6 and 25-10). After the win Blythewood is now 18-2 overall and 2-0 in region play
The Lady Bengals are now ranked #2 in the state and Hall has her team on a mission.
“We have one goal,” she said. “That’s to make it to the state playoffs, eventually be ranked #1 and have that title.”
Hall added that, “It’s not going to be given to us. We have to work for it.”
The next two matches are on the road against region opponents. The stretch begins at Lugoff-Elgin Thursday and at Irmo Tuesday Sept. 25.
Congratulations on your 19-2-0 Overall Record and your 3-0 Region Status. Keep working hard Lady Bengals you can do it!!!