By Staff
Nick Johnston, Hartselle Enquirer
DANVILLE – The Danville Lady Hawks have started their season with a 2-1 record after wins over Russellville and East Lawrence. The team's only loss of the season thus far came at the hands of Mount Hope.
"We are a very young team," coach Spencer Cole said. The Lady Hawks lost six seniors from last year's squad. "But, every time we play we should get better."
In their opening game of the season, the Lady Hawks fell to Mount Hope 2-1. Danville won the first game 15-9, but could not close the deal, falling 10-15 and 6-15 in the final two games of the match.
Senior Jessica Wallace served up four aces in the match, while fellow senior Liz Jones had 11 digs.
"We looked a lot better against East Lawrence than we did against Mount Hope," Cole said. "It may have just been first-game jitters."
Jessica Hazel led the team against Mount Hope in kills with seven.
Against Russellville, Danville fell in the first game 8-15 but rallied with 15-9 and 15-10 wins for the match.
Hazel had nine kills in the match and Wallace made eight aces.
Thursday East Lawrence visited the Lady Hawks and went home with a loss. Danville took the opening game 15-7 and rallied for a 15-12 win in the second game. In the third game of the best of five, Danville stumbled and fell to a 2-15 loss.
"They upped their game in the third game," Cole said of East Lawrence.
The Lady Hawks ended the match with a convincing 15-6 win in game four.
Hazel again led the team with 12 kills and a block. Wallace made 16 assists and Jones had 11 digs.
"Jessica (Wallace) and Liz (Jones) are great leaders," Cole said. "They're the quarterbacks out there."
Last year, Danville fell short of the state tournament with a loss late in regional play. This season, the goal is simple with a very young team.
"We most definitely want to get to regional play," Cole said. "I hope in two months the team is totally different."