JEFFERSON, Class AA’s no. 5 team, picked up a huge road win Monday over West Hall, Class AAA’s no. 5-ranked school.
The Dragons prevailed 25-21, 25-21, avenging a loss to the Spartans earlier this year.
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“West Hall fought very hard and was well coached but our serving and defense were the difference,” Jefferson coach Mike Paul said. “They were bigger than us, like most teams, but our girls dug in and refused to let balls hit the floor.”
Jefferson then raised its record to 13-4 later that evening with a 23-25, 25-15, 25-18 win over Gilmer County.
“Set three was tight but we scored several points in a row behind serving by Avery Mixon,” Paul said.
Statistical leaders were Sarah Wood (25 kills, two aces, eight digs, five blocks), Grace Williamson (26 assists, four aces, three digs, six kills), Lindsey Nilsen (10 kills, two blocks), Amanda Flowers (seven kills, two digs), Paige Watson (14 assists, two digs), Mixon (seven digs, six aces) and Daniela Franco (three kills, two digs).
Dragons go 4-1 in ‘Dragonfest’
THE JEFFERSON volleyball team continues to roll through the early season, winning four of five matches Saturday in the school’s 12-team “Dragonfest” play date.
The Dragons beat Athens Christian (26-24, 25-20), Grayson (25-10, 25-11), Tallulah Falls (25-13, 25-20) and East Jackson (25-16, 25-12). Jefferson’s lone loss came to Apalachee (27-25, 25-15).
“This was our biggest volleyball event in the history of our program,” Jefferson coach Mike Paul said. “It was a great day to play and especially nice to play at home for the first time this season and for the first time with air conditioning in our gym.”
Paul noted everyone on the Jefferson roster was able to play.
“I know our girls were tired at the end of the day but we got better today and played some good competition,” he said.
Statistical leaders for the five matches were Grace Williamson (38 assists, six kills, seven aces, three digs, one block), Sarah Wood (44 kills, three assists, 10 aces, three digs, six blocks), Amanda Flowers (14 kills, one assist, six aces, five digs), Paige Watson (36 assists, six kills, four aces, seven digs), Lindsey Nilsen (17 kills, one assist, three blocks), Daniela Franco (12 kills, one assist, six aces, three digs), Tristan McGarity (two kills, three assists, one ace, three digs), Hannah Oliver (three kills), Avery Mixon (two kills, nine aces, two digs) and Mallory Goodenow (one kill, one dig).
Prior to Dragonfest, Jefferson dropped matches to a pair of ranked teams Thursday — Class AAA’s no. 10 team North Oconee and Class AAAAAA’s no. 7 team Mill Creek.
Against North Oconee, the Dragons lost 25-11 in the opening game, but rallied to win 25-21 in the second game. North Oconee, however, took game three 25-17.
“Our girls played hard every play and at times tried to do more than we needed to do,” Paul said.
In the second match, Jefferson lost 25-14, 25-14 to Mill Creek.
“I am very proud of our team for not backing down to a bigger and stronger opponent,” Paul said. “(Thursday) our weaknesses were exposed by two good teams. We will get back in the practice gym and work on those weaknesses and hope to improve.”
Statistical leaders were Williamson (two kills, four aces, one dig, one block, five assists), Wood (20 kills, three aces, 11 digs, four blocks, two assists), Flowers (four kills, one ace, three digs), Nilsen (six kills, two blocks), Franco (three kills, one ace, six digs), Watson (two aces, nine digs, one assist) and Goodenow (one dig).
