AAC Volleyball Tournament Recap: Lady Lions Finish 2nd
November 11, 2007November 10, 2007
Bristol, TN-- Despite the loss of Junior MB Robin Renfroe in Friday night's defeat to King College, the Lady Lions pulled together to mount an improbable comeback into the conference championship match Saturday.
The Lions faced of against AAC Regular Season champions, Union College in the losers' bracket semifinal. Union took control of game 1, and the Lions season looked like it was close to an end. The Lions came to life in game 2, and slowly pulled away from the Bulldogs to send them home for the weekend with a 3-1 decision (18-30, 30-25, 30-22, 30-24).
The Lions received outstanding play from reserves Sarah Lyons, who filled the vacant middle spot, and freshman Ashley Sours, who stepped into the #2 OH position. Sours filled in for AAC All-Freshman team member Alison Young, who could only play limited minutes due to medical problems. Sours hit .312 with 12 kills, and was second to Gabrielle Claxton's game-high 16 kills. Sophomore Amber smith added 9 kills, 3 aces, and 3 assisted blocks. Hannah Suits led the offense with 22 assists, while AAC First Team member Kathryn Rawley dug out 32 digs.
The Lions advanced to the losers' bracket final against UVA-Wise. A steady barrage of attacks from 10 different Lions kept AAC kill-leader Natasha Viers and the Cavaliers from getting their offense going. The Lions took games 1 and 2, but fell behind Wise 17-8 in game 3. The Bryan squad showed tremendous heart as they battled back to tie the game at 27-27. Neither team would budge as the game went into extra points, but the Lions prevailed with an impressive 36-34 victory to advance to their first AAC Tournament championship match.
The Lions squared off against host King College a second time, and started well, winning the first game 30-21. King responded in game two, running away with a 30-17 victory. Both squads battled tremendously in game three, with neither team able to seize control. tied at 27, the Tornado pulled out a phenomenal save to earn a point that shifted momentum in the game and match. King pulled ahead to win 30-27. The Tornado led throughout in game 4, and the wear of playing 2 previous games that morning began to show on the Lions. Lauren Pratt was called in to take over MB duties for Sarah Lyons, and Coach Sayles called up reserve Lauren Edgerton to play for the injured Young, who played valiantly throughout the day. The Tornado were not to be denied victory on their home court, and the Lions' ran out of steam, dropping the final game 22-30. Kathryn Rawley tallied her second-highest dig total in her career, 38 digs in the match. Her dig total will serve as the official school record (Her 52 digs against MBU will remain unofficial due to the lack of video or supporting evidence). Claxton and Sours led the offense with 12 kills each, and starters Leah White and Kaylin Carswell added 18 kills to the effort. Hannah Suits added 28 assists, while Deborah Lowery contributed 22.
Despite the loss, the Lions had several accomplishments for the Bryan Volleyball program. The team advanced to the AAC Championship match for the first time in school history, and will advance to the Region XII tournament for the first time since 2002 - only the second time since the NAIA switched to the regional format in 1992. Kathryn Rawley was named to the All-Tournament team for her magnificent effort in the back row. Her 38 digs brought her tournament total to 110 digs in 5 games. Ashley Sours earned All-Tournament honors as well. Sours stepped up to hit 33 kills in the three Saturday matches for a .252 hitting percentage. Her play lifted the Lions after the loss of Renfroe and Young offensively. Lauren Pratt and Sarah Lyons' play off the bench was inspiring as well.
"I cannot say that I have ever been more proud of a Bryan team than today," commented Bryan's head coach Leo Sayles. "We came into the tournament knowing Alison would be very limited on her play. To lose Robin, one of the most prominent players in our region, could have been a nail in our coffin, and we were not able to adjust in our first loss to King yesterday, however the girls responded today. I believe we saved our best for last, and extended our season in the process. Our starters continued their consistant, strong play, and the depth of strength was evident to everyone in the gymnasium today. They played with spirit, heart, and a chemistry that carried us into the final match. We will see if we can build upon this next week at the Regional tournament."
The Lions, now 22-14 overall, away pairings to see if they will play an opening round game or will receive a bye next weekend. The Region XII tournament will be held at King College Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17, with a bid to the national tournament on the line.