LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — Even though their coach felt like they were too relaxed, the South Laurel Lady Cardinals made quick work of visiting Clay County Tuesday, winning in straight sets, 25-14, 25-10, 25-10.

“I think they knew what they were coming into,” coach Fawn Greer said. Clay came into the match 1-4, losers of four straight. “They were too relaxed. I tried to get them pumped up.”

Clay County never led in any of the three sets. The more experienced South Laurel controlled the action, leaving little hope for the young Lady Tigers.

South (5-1) jumped out early in the first set, building a 10-1 lead thanks to aces by Kelsey Parsons and Josey Mounce. But a little miscommunication allowed the ball to drop between South Laurel players, giving the serve back to Clay County and Kari Corum.

The Lady Tigers were able to take advantage, cutting the lead to 10-5 before Corum served the ball long.

With Kaylee Norvell now serving, the Lady Cards pushed the lead to 18-6 with strong net play. Tara Deaton set Taylor Arthur twice for kills. Then a fake set to Arthur saw C.J. Johnson record a kill for the 18-6 lead. From there it was only a matter of time before South took the first set, 25-14.

More strong serving in the second set allowed South to take the set, 25-10.

South recorded 16 aces in the set, including six in a row by Arthur to give the Lady Cards an 18-9 lead. Three more aces by Deaton pushed it to 23-9. It was only fitting that Parsons end the set with an ace.

“We targeted our serves in practice,” Greer said. “They hit them in the zone tonight and I’m proud of them.”

Six more aces in the third set and good play at the net by Whitney Wilt, Amy Cummins and Johnson saw South build a 21-8 lead then cruise to the 25-10 win.

“I’m happy with the way we are covering and communicating,” Greer said. “As of right now I’m pretty excited about going into this weekend’s tournament at Whitley County.” The Lady Cards will play in the Lady Colonel First Priority Classic with games against Jellico, Whitley County, Lincoln County and Bell County in pool play. North Laurel and Corbin are also in the tournament in the other pool.

“Hopefully we will get to face Corbin again,” Greer said. The Lady Redhounds beat South Laurel in four sets recently. “I haven’t gotten to see Whitley County yet. There are a lot of good teams in this tournament that are fairly equal.”

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