COVINGTON – The Covington Lady Buccs lost their final regular-season contest to Lehman in five sets, but the team has made significant progress throughout the second half of the season.
Throughout the first 10 games, the Lady Buccs went 4-6. Over the past 12 games, Covington won eight of them. Plus, since the beginning of October, Covington has won five of its seven matches, showcasing how much the entire team has improved through hard work and dedication.
In the final regular-season contest against Lehman, Covington opened the night by honoring seven seniors who were playing their final game in their home gym. The seven seniors are #1 Mary Larson, #3 Nadia Ramirez, #4 Ramsé Vanderhorst, #7 Alison Sink, #8 Ava Hartwig, #9 Cassidy Iddings and #10 Kylie Palsgrove.
“I’m so proud of the seven seniors who have led our program this season,” commented Covington coach Sloane Green. “They’ve been dedicated to the team and one another all season, and have stepped up to take on whatever role asked of them. It’s been an honor to coach them this season.”
Lehman had defeated the Lady Buccs earlier in the season in three sets, but tonight’s contest was much more competitive despite Covington’s loss in five sets.
Covington opened the match with an impressive 25-23 victory in the first set and also captured the fourth set, 25-19. A key set that could have led the Lady Buccs to victory was the second set, as Lehman narrowly escaped with a 25-23 win.
Lehman also won the third set, 25-19, and then closed out the match with a 15-9 victory in the fifth and deciding set.
Statistically, Ramsé Vanderhorst recorded 33 digs, Ava Hartwig had 14 kills and 20 digs, Kylie Palsgrove contributed 9 kills and 9 digs, Nadia Ramirez recorded 10 digs, Alison Sink had 17 digs, and Madelyn Batdorf added 5 kills.
“Tonight we battled Lehman and continued to show how competitive we can be,” Green explained. “I’m impressed with the improvement we have had with each week that passes by, and we’re ready to start postseason play next week.”
The Lady Buccs are the eighth-seeded team in the postseason tournament and will open tournament play against Riverside on October 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Sidney High School.
