COVINGTON – For the first time in 16 years the Covington Lady Buccs won a league championship, which was locked up on Tuesday in a three-set victory over Riverside.
What made it even more special is the sole possession of the league championship in the TRC was secured on “Senior Night” where Taylor Kirker and Mazelle Reck played their final game on the home floor in their outstanding careers. Both players are very talented, talent that was developed and progressed by former coaches Lonnie Cain and Ellie French, Lonnie Cain’s daughter. Current coach Stephanie Robinson is blessed to have these two outstanding student/athletes on this year’s volleyball team.
“Taylor and Mazelle are incredible leaders who lead by example on and off the court,” said Covington coach Stephanie Robinson. “They are very instrumental assets to the team and I am very fortunate to be their coach this season.”
This league championship is the first for Covington since 2008 and the ninth overall in the history of the program.
Riverside, a team that has won two games at this point of the season, played with high emotion early and gave the Lady Buccs a challenge. Fortunately, Covington was able to pull away down the stretch in the first set to win 25-16.
The momentum carried over in the second and third set as Covington dominated to win 25-7 and 25-11.
Covington is now 17-4 overall and 13-0 in the TRC, but there is still one more huge matchup against another league opponent, perennial power Miami East. The two teams played earlier in the season on September 17th at Covington and the game was a tough battle where the Lady Buccs won in four sets against a Lady Vikings’ team that had a top player, Khalia Lawrence, out due to an injury. Since then, Miami East has won seven of eight games and have their entire roster back.
This second game between Covington and Miami East is the final regular season contest and is scheduled on Thursday at Miami East. A large Covington crowd will need to be on hand to give the Lady Buccs plenty of support as they pursue their goal of finishing 14-0 in the league standings.
