Lady Cats Take Down Grayson County In Five Sets

Edmonson County Wins 3-2

Lady Cat players, coaches, and fans react to defeating Grayson County 3-2 on Sept. 14, 2021.

Darren Doyle, story: Madison Doyle, photos:
It's been a long time coming, but Edmonson County Volleyball is finally winning some district games; last night's win came against Grayson County in a full, 5-set match at ECHS on Tuesday night. It was only the second District 12 victory since the 2017 season when the Lady Cats won the district championship.

The team lost 12 players after the '17 season and has been in a rebuilding mode ever since. With a young team (only four seniors combined over the past two seasons) and two different coaches during that time, the growing pains have been difficult with three straight losing seasons. While the Lady Cat record isn't stellar so far this season (5-11 with one loss coming from a COVID cancellation forfeiture), Coach Bridget Simon said earlier in the season that this year's team is showing much better team chemistry, communication, and relationships on and off the court.

Some would argue that teams over the past three seasons were mainly taking the floor with an attitude of trying not to lose, while this year's squad seems to play with nothing to lose. With three straight losing seasons and no wins in the district (until this season), there's not much else TO lose.

Junior Alyssa Doyle goes for a kill against Grayson County.

Junior Whitney Davis jumps with a kill attempt over Grayson County.

Set one began roughly for the Lady Cats as Grayson County took an 8-2 lead, which forced Edmonson County to take a timeout. Edmonson scrapped back and cut the lead to 12-10 but Grayson forced Edmonson into their second timeout with a Lady Cougar lead of 21-16.

The Lady Cats gained some momentum with a small run of their own and cut the Lady Cougar lead to 22-20, which led to a Grayson County timeout. Edmonson County scored twice right out of the timeout and tied the score at 22. Each team traded blows, tied it again at 24, but Grayson outlasted the Lady Cats 26-24 for a 1-0 lead.

Junior Kaylee Lindsey attempts a kill against the Lady Cougars of Grayson County.

The Lady Cats took early control of set two and never looked back. They jumped out to an 11-4 lead which prompted a timeout for Grayson County. The Lady Cats scored out of the timeout but Grayson County put together a 7-2 run that ran the Lady Cats into their first timeout. After another short run by Edmonson County, Grayson called their final timeout with EC leading 18-12. From that point, Edmonson outscored Grayson 7-4 to take the set 25-16, tying the game at 1-1.

Sophomore Alivia Mabrey passes the ball to a Lady Cat teammate.

Sophomore Madison Bullock goes for a kill against Grayson County.

The Lady Cats looked even sharper in the third set as they ran out to a 14-6 lead. Grayson County wasn't able to recover from their poor start as Edmonson led as much as 10 points during the set. They went on to win set three 25-15 and take a 2-1 game lead.

Junior Raven Cast sets the ball for a teammate against Grayson County.

Junior Rylee Laster goes for a block against a Grayson County hitter.

The Lady Cougars were far from folding up and heading back to Leitchfield and came out with more intensity in set 4. After four different ties, Grayson County took a 14-11 lead, which forced EC into their first timeout. A 7-2 Lady Cougar run extended their lead to 21-14 and Edmonson called their final timeout on the ropes, trailing 24-17. Grayson County scored the final point of the set (25-17) to tie the game at 2-2, forcing a final set to 15.

While the score was tied four different times, Edmonson County never trailed in the final set, winning 15-11 and the game 3-2.

Edmonson County is scheduled to take on Trinity, (14-4, 2-0) another district opponent, on Thursday in Whitesville. The Lady Cats are also currently 2-0 in district play, Grayson is 0-2, and Butler County is 0-2.