Tipton prevails in lopsided volleyball affair against Titans

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The Taylor Lady Titans traveled to Tipton on Sept. 4, hoping to find their first win of the season in girls' volleyball. That search will continue, however, as the Blue Devils dispatched the visitors with little difficulty. Tipton won in straight sets -- 25-9, 25-12, and 25-5.

Taylor looked and performed like a team that was unaccustomed to varsity play. Rather than bumping, setting, and spiking in a controlled cadence, the Lady Titans scrambled to put the ball over the net on each play; an unorthodox approach that initially caught Tipton off guard.

In fact, the Blue Devils appeared to set aside their more disciplined play at one point to match the frenetic scurrying and diving of Taylor. The ladies' training reasserted control in short order, and it wasn't long before Tipton was exploiting the gaps in the Taylor defense.

The Lady Titans played with intensity, running to every corner of the gymnasium to volley the ball back into play. But the extreme exertion took its toll. Exhausted, Taylor could not manage to outplay the Tipton reserves in the final set.

Tipton was led on the attack by junior Bellas Henderson, who had seven kills at the net. Junior Emilie Mumbower scored six kills, and junior Kelyn Everling registered five kills.

From the service line, Henderson shone again with four aces on just six serve attempts. Juniors Natalie Moreland and Makayla Schinlaub handled the bulk of the serving tasks, and each registered three aces.

Schinlaub and Henderson also led the Blue Devils with nine and eight digs, respectively, on defense. And Henderson found herself in the middle of the action with 13 assists.

Taylor did not report statistics for the game prior to publication.

The Lady Titans (0-7) continued their hapless search for a win on Sept. 8 and 9 with straight-set losses to Frankfort and Sheridan. They will try to end the streak at Peru (8-8) on Thu., Sept. 11.

The Blue Devils (6-7) had a rough go of it in tournament play last weekend but found success against Clinton Central on Sept. 9. They host Western (6-6) this evening, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m.

See additional photos from this match, including galleries for each team, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.