Gordon Lee moves on to Sweet 16
For a brief couple of minutes this past Thursday, the visiting Lady Vikings from First Presbyterian Day School had the upper hand against host Gordon Lee in their Class 1A state tournament opener.
Then the Lady Trojans made an adjustment and that, as they say, was all she wrote.
Gordon Lee, down 6-3 in the early stages of the opening set, quickly tied the game then took the lead and never trailed again as they sent FPD back to Macon with a 25-16, 25-11, 25-12 defeat.
“We had to regroup a little there at the start,” Gordon Lee coach Tricia Goodwin said. “(FPD) plays a little slower game than LFO, Heritage and some of the other teams around here that we’re used to playing. Once we got adjusted, though, we were fine.”
Aubree Yancey, the birthday girl, celebrated with a dozen kills and three blocks. Emma Boles had nine kills to go with 17 digs. Sidney Pierce collected 23 assists and Summer Fitzpatrick served up seven aces as the ninthranked Lady Trojans ran their overall record to 32-12-2.
Up next for Gordon Lee will be a road trip to Area 2 champion Landmark Christian with a berth in the Elite Eight up for grabs. Landmark downed Tallulah Falls, 25-10, 25-15 and 25-19 in their opening round match.
“I’m expecting a tough match,” Goodwin said. “But we’re happy to get to the Sweet 16 and very proud of that.”
Goodwin said it’s also possible that freshman back row player Sally Thomison, who has been out, could be back in the lineup for the match.
“That would be a huge help for us,” the coach added.
Gordon Lee is the lone public school team left in the Class 1A state brackets after the opening round.