Record-setting Lady Ramblers bow out to Cartersville

After setting another school-record for victories in a single season, the 2018 campaign came to a tough end for the No. 7-ranked Lafayette Lady Ramblers on Wednesday night with a four-set loss (21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 18-25) at No. 10-ranked Cartersville - the champions of Area 5 - in the Class AAAA Round of 16.

After battling through some early nerves, Lafayette tied the opening set at 19 apiece. But the Lady Canes would pull away late, winning six of the last eight points to pick up the win.

The Lady Ramblers would get things going in the second set as they tied up the match and built a commanding 16-4 lead in the third set when the momentum began to change. Cartersville would come all the way back to snare an improbable victory and carried the momentum into the fourth set, where they finished things off.

“We got stuck in rotation with their best server at the line and they just got all the momentum,” head coach Chris Logan explained. “We fought in the fourth set, but we had lost all the momentum in the third and couldn’t get it back.

“But these last few weeks and again (Wednesday) night, we went down fighting. Cartersville was a very good team with some athletes and we hung right there with them. We get one side-out in that third-set run they made and we may keep the momentum and maybe would have moved on to play in Augusta.”

Jillian Morgan had 13 kills and three blocks in the loss, while Gracie Stier also had 13 kills to go with four digs and an ace. Imani Cook added seven kills and Colby Charland recorded 25 assists, two kills, two blocks and an ace.

Micaela Hobbs collected four aces and two digs. Kloe Ludy had 10 digs on the night, while Bailey Tarvin added four digs and a kill. Sarah Ray finished with two kills and a block, followed by Elaina Kirkendoll with a block and an assist.

The Lady Ramblers, the Area 6-AAAA tournament runners-up, finished the season with a 43-8 overall record.

“I could not be happier with the growth that we have made this season,” Logan continued. “We are going to miss our seniors a ton. They all started at the JV level, played there for two years, and then worked their way into starting roles, and not only starting roles, but leadership roles and playmaker roles. These seniors worked hard and earned everything they got.”

Despite the loss of the four seniors, Logan says there is plenty coming back to be excited about heading into 2019.

“I’ve talked to the girls about building a program and working a step at a time to improve,” he added. “Each group that comes through contributes something and leaves an impression on the program. These girls have instilled the sense of hard work and busting tail and that will be reflected through our younger players in future seasons.

“We’re going to enjoy some time off over the next few weeks, but many of our girls are gearing up for club ball and working towards our goal of winning a region championship in a tough, tough region. We’ve improved every year over the past five, finishing fifth (twice), fourth, third and second, and there’s one more step to make. These girls want it and I think they see it and know that they can do it. We’ve got some spots to fill and some things to brush up on, but I’m excited about where we are headed.”