Seventh-ranked LaFayette splits at Heritage

The LaFayette Lady Ramblers began the week ranked seventh in the latest ScoreAtlanta Class AAAA volleyball poll and went 3-1 last week, winning two at home and settling for a split on the road.

On Tuesday, LaFayette claimed an Area 6-AAAA victory at Heritage by scores of 25-19 and 25-20.

Sarah Ray (8 kills) and Jillian Morgan (7 kills) paced the offense. Elaina Kirkendoll picked up three blocks and Bailey Tarvin added three aces. Emily Redden dished out 16 assists and Katie Dixon recorded 14 digs.

However, the Ramblers suffered a 29-27, 25-9 upset at the hands of Ridgeland in another area match.

Morgan and Ray had four kills each for the Lady Ramblers. Tarvin collected 14 digs. Redden added 10 assists and Michaela Hobbs finished with four digs.

Back at home on Thursday, LaFayette bounced back to defeat both LFO and Ringgold in a tri-match.

The Lady Ramblers topped LFO, 25-17 and 25-15, before claiming a 25-15, 25-16 win over Ringgold.

Morgan had 19 kills on the night to go with four blocks and two aces. Dixon had 10 kills and 14 digs, while Ray picked up 16 kills.

Tarvin had 29 digs and six aces. Redden recorded 42 assists and nine digs. Blakely Lankford had 11 digs and two aces, while Hobbs 14 digs and two aces.

Other contributors included Kirkendoll (5 kills), Darsey Shields (7 kills) and Riley Smith (3 digs).

Lady Ramblers second at Raider Rally

The Orange-andBlack headed to Dalton on Saturday to participate in the Southeast Whitfield varsity Radier Rally tournament.

In pool play, the Lady Ramblers went 2-1. They defeated Murray County (25-10, 25-7) and Dalton (22-25, 25-10, 17-15), but were edged out by third-ranked Northwest Whifield (2520, 25-23).

In bracket play, LaFayette drew Christian Heritage in the opening round, scoring an easy 25-16, 25-7 victory. From there, the Lady Ramblers earned a 25-21, 27-25 win over the host Lady Raiders to advance to the championship.

However, they were forced to settle for the runner-up trophy after a 25-17, 25-19 loss to the Lady Bruins.

LaFayette is now 30-9 on the season and 2-1 in 6-AAAA.

LaFayette was scheduled to face Northwest Whitfield (and Rhea County, Tenn.) in an Area 6-AAAA match on Monday in south Walker County, but due to newspaper deadlines, results were not available as of press time.