The Lady Gladiator Volleyball teams sent the Covington Lady Owls home without a win on Saturday in the dome. The Varsity took the best 3 out of 5 match by defeating Covington 25-12, 25-17 and 25-13. The Junior Varsity won their match 25-14 and 25-20.

VARSITY

Covington served the first point in Game 1, but Italy came right back. Italy had a 6-3 lead when Madison Washington served Italy 10 straight points. With help from teammates Jac Lewis, Bailey Eubank and Halee Turner, Italy took a 23-8 lead. Rachel Tyra stepped up for Covington and served 5 points, 3 of them unreturned. Lewis and Tara Wallis got serious on defense at the net to stop Evans and hand the Lady Owls their first loss.

In Game 2, Bailey Eubank started Italy off with an ace. The Lady Owls tied the game 10-10 and took the lead 12-10 with service points by Robyn Hicks. Madison Washington stepped up on defense with a light tip over the net that Covington could not defend. Again, Washington’s serves gave the Lady Gladiators a definite edge on offense when she served up 6 points, 3 of them aces. Tough defense by Washington, Lewis, Turner and Monserat Figueroa sealed the game for the Lady Gladiators.

Italy dominated Game 3 on both sides of the net. Eubank served up 4 points to give Italy a 4-0 early lead. With Italy on top 22-13, Eubank stepped up to serve and gave Italy the 3 points needed to win the game including one ace. Paige Westbrook, Cassidy Childers and Lillie Perry stepped up on defense with saves and blocks. Washington and Lewis added kills and blocks to seal the win for the Lady Gladiators.

JUNIOR VARSITY

In Game 1, Italy took the lead on the first play and never looked back. Josie Perkins, April Lusk and Brittney Chambers served strong for the Lady Gladiators on offense. Defensive team play sealed the 25-14 win for the Ladies.

The Lady Owls stepped up in Game 2 to give Italy a run for the win. Covington took a 2-3 lead, but Josie Perkins stopped their run by serving 6 straight points with 2 aces. Lady Owl Katelyn Soule’s serves tied the game at 9. Elizabeth Garcia starting serving for Italy with an ace and added 2 more points to put Italy on top 14-11. Covington came within 1 with Harley Evans’ serves, but a kill by Lusk put Italy back on offense. Ashlyn Jacinto fired up the crowd with three unreturned serves, including an ace. Covington fought hard, but could not pull off the win. Brittney Chambers finished the game serving for Italy with an ace plus 2 more points.