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| The Volley Raiders' varsity celebrates after sweeping East Jackson 2-0 in Friday's home opener
Photo By Dallas Bordon
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Coach Steve Crouse and his newly formed coaching staff jump started a new era for Madison County High School volleyball in Friday night's home opener. Crouse was hoping for a large crowd and student body; they were there. He hoped that his varsity squad would play hard and they did.
Facing a tough Gainesville team from region 8 (5A), Madison County dropped two straight 15-24 and 21-25 losing 0-2. Madison County rebounded in the nightcap defeating region 6 (3A) East Jackson County 25-10 and 25-16 giving Crouse his first win as head coach.
The Volley Raiders gave Gainesville all they wanted in the first match of the evening. With both teams tied at 7-7, Gainesville pulled away with 8 unanswered points to earn a 15-7 lead. Madison County stayed within striking distance pulling to within 9 points twice late, but Gainesville fought off the Raiders to take the 25-15 win. The Red Elephants appeared to be in cruise control in the second set after jumping out to a 17-9 lead. Mya Moss answered the call with two strong spikes to later close Gainesville's margin to 18-17. Gainesville answered with four straight points of their own to eventually seal the 25-21 win to take the match 2-0.
Madison County rebounded against East Jackson in the late match. The Volley Raiders swept East Jackson 25-10 and 25-16 to take the 2-0 win. In the first set, Madison County pulled out to a 12-3 lead and later opened a 20-8 advantage on the way to the win. The second set with East Jackson was a little tighter as both teams battled to a 7-7 tie early. Sam Watson put Madison County out if front with a huge spike and LaZear followed with another nonreturnable spike to push the Raiders out to a 13-8 lead. East Jackson battled back to within one point, but that would be as close as they would get to Madison County's lead. Mackenzie LaZear sealed the deal by serving 7 straight points to pull the Raiders out to a 21-14 lead on the way to the win.
Madison County's varsity and junior varsity will travel to East Jackson on Tuesday night to face Talluah Falls and East Jackson beginning at 6:00.
