Warriorettes Take on Lady Cavs in Volleyball

SPARTA — Rivalry volleyball delivered plenty of drama Monday night at Roy Sewell Gymnasium. White County and Cookeville traded punches for five sets before the Warriorettes made the final push, defeating the Lady Cavaliers 25-19, 20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11 in Sparta. Neither team could create much separation for long as momentum shifted throughout the night, but White County came up with the plays it needed in the deciding fifth set.

The opening set went back and forth early before White County began to establish control with approximately a 10-8 advantage. Cookeville wouldn’t go away. The Lady Cavaliers battled back to within 20-18 behind an attack led by senior Emma Cook, while Jaden Hunt provided some strong serving late in the set. White County, however, answered the Cookeville push and finished off a 25-19 win.

The Lady Cavaliers responded in the second. Cookeville trailed for portions of the set before battling back to even things at 19-19. From there, the Lady Cavaliers took over. Cook, senior Vaughn Wehage and sophomore Brooklyn Holman delivered several powerful attacks as Cookeville scored six of the final seven points to take the set 25-20 and even the match at one apiece.

There wasn’t much separating the two teams in the third set. Cook, Wehage and Holman continued to lead the Cookeville attack, but defensive miscues and out-of-system possessions made it difficult for the Lady Cavaliers to consistently establish an offensive rhythm. The Warriorettes stayed composed through the back-and-forth battle and made enough plays late to grab a 25-23 win and a 2-1 advantage in the match.

Cookeville responded again with the rivalry match on the line in the fourth set. Another tightly contested set eventually swung toward the Lady Cavaliers, with Wehage leading the offensive charge. The senior delivered several powerful attacks as Cookeville pulled away for a 25-20 win. Four sets hadn’t been enough to decide this rivalry match. It was headed to 15.

White County delivered the final answer. The Warriorettes grabbed the advantage in the deciding set and held off another Cookeville push for a 15-11 win, closing out a five-set rivalry victory on their home floor. White County received big performances throughout its lineup. Senior Ashlyn Selby attacked aggressively throughout the match, swinging hard and consistently finishing points for the Warriorettes. The middle-blocking combination of Madison Henry and Lainie Naaktgeboren also had a major impact. Their presence at the net changed the way Cookeville was able to attack and made it difficult for the Lady Cavaliers’ hitters to find their preferred shots. Senior Rhaleigh Cloyd provided several crucial digs and kept points alive at important moments, while sophomore Malorie Swindell played a smart, composed match and consistently put White County in good situations.

Cookeville countered with Cook, Wehage, and Holman providing much of its offensive firepower, and Hunt contributing from the service line. It was the type of match expected when Cookeville and White County get together — five sets, momentum swings, and very little separating the two sides. On this night at Roy Sewell Gymnasium, the Warriorettes had the final answer.

FINAL — White County 3, Cookeville 2

25-19, 20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11