Published: October 06, 2008 11:02 am      

South's Stock rises

Ashley Stock dominates play in Lady Cards' win over Russell County

Ashley Stock made the most of Senior Night at South Laurel, dominating net play in the Lady Cards’ 25-15, 25-17 win over Russell County in volleyball action.

“I’m really pleased with the way Ashley played,” Coach Kaye Smith said. “We will really miss her and the other three seniors (Haley Phelps, Hannah Balthrop and Ariel Johnson), not only on the team, but as people. They all seem like family, and we hate to lose them.”

Four kills by Stock early in the first set pushed South out to an early 8-3 lead. In all, the Lady Cards had 16 kills in that set.

Russell County kept the game close, trailing 9-8 before South got the serve back. A kill by Erika Burchett made it 12-9.

South led 15-11 when Morgan Johnson took over serving, and that, along with Stock’s play, increased the lead to 19-11. A Burchett kill gave South the first set, 25-15.

The Lady Lakers came out fired up in the second set, and held the lead for most of the set. South took a 9-8 lead, then fell behind 15-12.

A set by Breanna Allen led to a kill by Stock, tying the match at 15-15. From there, Stock recorded three more kills as South Laurel pulled away, 25-17.

“This shows that the girls really wanted to win on Senior Night,” Smith said. “They played with a lot of determination. A lot of the game is mental, and these girls were on top of their game tonight.”

The Lady Cards travel to face Tates Creek Tuesday night, then will wrap-up regular season play on Thursday with a home match against Madison Central.

The district tournament will start Oct. 13 at North Laurel. The Lady Cards are the top seed in the tournament.

“Being the favorite doesn’t always mean anything,” Smith said. “We’ve got to come out and play our game. All we ask is for the girls to do their best.”