Photo - Kassity Boor
The Todd County Central volleyball team got off to a strong start in each of three sets on Tuesday and held off rallies from visiting Franklin-Simpson to earn its first victory of the season and avenge a loss to the Lady Wildcats in last season’s 13th-District tournament.
The Lady Rebels raced out to a 10-4 advantage in the opener before the Lady Wildcats answered to take their first lead at 20-19. Allyssa Wofford pushed Todd Central in front with back-to-back kills, but Caydence Johnson’s kill off a Lady Rebel block gave Franklin-Simpson a 23-21 lead and forced a timeout. Callie Chapman’s big block at the net cut the margin to a point, and the Lady Rebels scored the final three points to take the set 25-23.
Todd Central led 11-5 in the second set after three aces by Chapman, and the Lady Rebels stretched the lead to 16-12 after a kill by Wofford. Franklin-Simpson pulled even on Johnson’s ace at 16-16, and the set was tied for the final time at 19-19. Todd Central closed on a 6-2 run, including a decisive ace off the net by Shelby Holderman, to claim the set and take a commanding 2-0 advantage.
In a familiar pattern, the Lady Rebels moved to a 10-4 lead after a block by Chapman, but the Lady Wildcats rallied to tie the third set at 13-13 after an ace by Aubrey Sams. Todd Central built a 20-15 cushion after Aubri Penick’s ace, but the Lady Rebels were forced to take a timeout when Franklin-Simpson moved to within a point at 24-23. However, Penick provided the kill to seal the win and clinch the match.
Wofford’s ten kills paced the Lady Rebels, followed by Penick and Chapman with seven each. Chapman added five aces and three blocks, Williams finished with two aces and three kills, and Shelby Holderman notched 22 assists, three aces, and a pair of kills.
Todd Central returns to action on Saturday with a matchup with Foundation Christian Academy at Monroe County before returning to district play on September 3 with a trip to Russellville.
Photos -Kassity Boor
