VOLLEYBALL RIVALRY

They might not be in the same district, but the rivalry between Corbin and Whitley County is still fierce. The two teams met at Corbin Thursday night with Whitley County claiming a 25-23, 25-20 victory.

Whitley County swept the home and away series while Corbin won at the Pulaski County Invitational last week.

In the first set it looked as if Corbin was going to blow the game open from the get-go, taking a 6-1 lead in the game. But, Whitley County fought back as Alyssa Monhollen served three straight points after the Lady Colonels had scored on a rally point. Monhollen and her teammates pulled within 6-5 and the game was on.

The Lady Colonels pulled even at 7-7 before Kayla Sears fired an ace to give Whitley County the lead (8-7). She served up three more points before a Vanessa Wiseman killed ended the run with the Lady Redhounds trailing, 11-7.

Whitley County held onto a slim lead and pushed it out to four a couple of times, the last being 21-17 on a kill by Sears.

That’s when the momentum went to Corbin as Jamie King served five unanswered points, pushing the Lady Redhounds ahead 22-21.

Whitley County stopped the rally and tied the game and Sears scored on a serve for a 23-22 margin. Corbin was able to tie, before Whitley County added the game point. Carly Louthan served the winning point and Liz Patrick got the kill to give the Lady Colonels the hard-fought win, 25-23.

Corbin started the second set on fire, jumping out to a 3-0 lead only to see Whitley County come back and tie the game 4-4 on a Sears kill.

The Lady Redhounds then outscored Whitley County 11-1 and took a 15-5 lead behind Morgan Brock and Mandi Robinson. A hit to the out of bounds stopped the run and allowed Whitley County to get back in the game.

Candis Powell served five points including an ace as before Corbin scored again for a 16-11 lead. They didn’t keep the ball on their side of the court long as the Lady Colonels scored a rally point and Liz Patrick went to the line. The first-year player scored six points for a 17-16 lead.

The game was tied 17-17 and again at 20-20 before Whitley County went on a five-point run with Monhollen getting all five points for the sweep.

Whitley County will return home to face Bell County Monday and Jellico Tuesday. Corbin will be back in action Tuesday when they host the Harlan Green Dragons.