Making quick work of the Lady Longhorns of Tarkington, Livingston volleyball swept in three sets, with a 25-13, 25-12 and 25-12 victory Tuesday in Lion Gym.
“I think whenever we played them the first time around and played them at their place, I don't think we were ready for it,” Livingston coach Alyssa Fielder said of a 3-1 win nearly a month earlier at Tarkington. “We got killed on a lot of tips. Even tonight, a few dropped but not compared to how many dropped the first time. I think it is being more prepared and ready to go, because in this game, we looked a lot more prepared to go out there.”
Livingston was able to slowly pull away with big hits from Emily Blackmon, Ta’laiyah Garner and Corinne Henderson. The Lady Lions scored the first four points of the opener and led throughout.
A one-point game at 9-8, Livingston scored eight of the next 10 points in the second set to once again distance themselves.
Maddie Akers covered plenty of ground throughout the night, with digs and setting. Audrey Rios also got in numerous digs. The team started well with a 10-4 lead and ended the evening early with the sweep.
“Akers is the one that runs our court,” Fielder said. “She is the quarterback of our team. The only way we can stay in tune is having her on the court. We're also lucky to have her.”
Tuesday was the final home game for the Lady Lions and senior night, honoring Rios, Kenzi Parrish, Bayleigh Sturm, Zy'Mariah Harrell and Blackmon.
With a new coach coming in, it is not always a smooth transition for the coaching staff or seniors. Livingston seems to have made the adjustment once district play began, with a record of 8-2. The seniors have been a big part of the Lady Lions’ success.
“I feel like it has (been a smooth transition),” Fielder said. “Some of the girls I have already coached from club. I knew their style of play and their pros and cons. For me, it has been a quick transition, but my thing with all my seniors is that I need them on the court. One person that I have to shout out is Bayleigh Sturm. She has not played, but played tonight and did an amazing job. That is the thing about our seniors, they do not give up, and they are ready to go when I call their name. I can say that I'm very lucky to have this, where I can depend on my seniors and they show up whenever I need them, and to also be leaders.”
Livingston currently sits in second place and can clinch a playoff spot with a win at Hardin-Jefferson Tuesday. They finish the regular season Friday at first-place Huffman Hargrave.
Fielder says she believes her team is improving, but needs a bit more preparation for a deep run in the playoffs.
“I think there are a lot of things we still need to work on with defending the middle, perfecting our block, and we have to make sure we have a strong front. I feel like we are still working on that a little bit. We've got to improve a little bit.”
