The Craig County girls are in the middle of a string of a dozen straight matches outside the friendly confines of Craig County. The Rockets will go almost a month, from September 6 to October 4, without playing a game in the home gym.
Last week the girls lost two Pioneer District matches, at Covington and at Bath, to open the long stretch of road games. Against Covington they lost to a tough team of Cougars, 25-18, 25-13 and 25-18. Ashleigh Peters, making her first start at setter, has 22 assists for a season high for the Rockets. Jaci McAlwee had seven kills
“We played well but Covington’s tough,” said coach Geoff Boyer.
The Rockets didn’t play as well in Hot Springs last Thursday and lost to Bath County in three, 25-15, 25-22 and 25-10. Haleigh Smith had three aces.
“It was our worst match of the year,” said Boyer. “We hit a lot of balls into the net.”
Craig played in Auburn’s tournament on Saturday and a full day of volleyball, playing five best-of-three matches. It was encouraging even though the Rockets lost all five, because the competition was stiff.
“We played some very good teams and played much better,” said Boyer.
The Rockets opened with a two set loss to host Auburn, 25-12 and 25-12. Taylor Sloss had six kills and two blocks.
Next was Chilhowie, and the Rockets lost 25-17, 25-20 after having the first set tied at 17-all. Sloss had nine assists and McAlwee had five kills.
Against a strong Northwood team Craig won the first set, 25-23, but lost the next two, 25-17 and 15-12. Sloss had 12 assists and eight kills and Smith had six kills. Nicole Austin had three aces and two blocks.
“That was a very good team and we played well,” said Boyer.
Craig lost a tough one against George Wythe. The Rockets won the first set, 25-23, and had game point in the second. Wythe had a block by a player who wasn’t supposed to be playing the net, but it wasn’t called and the Maroons squeeked out a 26-24 second set win to even the match. Then, Wythe won the third set to 15, 15-12.
“We played great and we should have won,” said Boyer. “Again, they had a really good team. They had a 6’1” middle.”
Sloss had seven kills for Craig to go with 11 assists. McAlwee had eight kills and MacKenzie Hutchingson had five aces.
Finally, the Rockets took on Patrick Henry of Glade Spring and lost in two, 25-23 and 25-20. Sloss had five kills and six assists.
“To play close against a good team like that was encouraging,” said Boyer. “We had a good day.”
The Rockets dropped to 1-10 with the five losses Saturday and they were at Christiansburg Monday. Then they’re off until a match at Eastern Montgomery next Tuesday, followed by a doubleheader at Highland on September 28.
“I’m encouraged,” said Boyer. “If we play like to did Saturday we have a chance to win the rest of our matches in the regular season.”
