The Lady Tigers opened their 2024 volleyball campaign with a convincing victory last Thursday against the Seymour Tigers in straight sets.
The Houston High School squad was never in danger, sweeping the sets 25-5, 25-8, 25-3 at Tiger Fieldhouse.
“I thought that was a great opening to the season,” said Head Coach Julia Sloan. “It was a great team win.”
To start the third set, junior Gracyn McNiell put on a serving clinic, winning 20 straight points – doing so without an ace.
“I was proud of Gracyn,” said Sloan. “I’m excited to see where we go from here.”
Junior Kayla Wagner led Houston’s offense with 13 kills. Senior setter Morgan McKinney contributed a well rounded performance of nine assists, eight digs and three aces. Senior Makinley Aaron had nine digs.
Last Friday, the Tigers defeated Bakersfield in straight sets – 25-13, 25-21, 25-11 – to get their second victory.
Wagner would again lead the way with 20 kills. Other key contributions included McKinney’s 24 assists, Aaron’s 16 digs and McNiell’s three aces.
On Saturday, the junior varsity team hosted a tournament at Tiger Fieldhouse. Seven teams participated including Cabool (2), Conway (2), Ava, Dora and Houston.
The Lady Tigers finished third overall, with Cabool placing first and Dora second.
“We saw so much growth and I thought it was great for our younger girls to have a tournament to themselves,” said Sloan.
The Tigers – who finished the 2023 season with a 26-8-1 record and a district championship – feature several returning contributors including seniors McKinney and Aaron and juniors McNiell and Wagner. The team no longer has the frontcourt presence of all-state outside hitter Angie Smith, who graduated.
The Lady Tigers (2-0) play Summersville at home Tuesday and then hit the road Thursday to face Licking.