WC volleyball season ends in Elizabethtown

By Jimmie Earls

Jimmie Earls

Emily Tingle (2) and Morgan Thomas (3) go airborne in an attempt to block a Nelson County shot. Washington County lost in the 17th district championship game 0-2 to Nelson County on Oct. 14.

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Jimmie Earls

Washington County senior Amber Taylor sets up a volley in regional action against Elizabethtown Monday night. The Commanderettes lost the match 0-2 to bring their season to an end.

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Jimmie Earls

Morgan Thomas (3) returns a Nelson County shot while teammates Jaclyn Kelty (15) and Brittany Curtsinger (13) follow the action.

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Jimmie Earls

The Commanderette volleyball team pose with their second place trophy from the 17th district tournament. Front row from left are Morgan Thomas, Sarah Teater, Brittany Curtsinger and Jaclyn Kelty. Back row from left are Shannon Wethington, Katherine Fields

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Sun Sports Writer

The Washington County Commanderettes volleyball season came to an end Monday night with an 0-2 loss to Elizabethtown in the first round of the 5th Region Tournament at Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown.

WC put up a good fight in the first game, and the score was tight in the early going. With the game knotted at 10-10, the Commanderettes went on a big run, taking a 17-10 lead behind Morgan Thomas’ strong service, along with some big blocks from Clare Smith. But momentum shifted to E-town as they got the serve and went on a run of their own, taking a 21-18 lead.

The Commanderettes were able to tie the score at 24-24 but the Panthers scored the next two points to win game one, 26-24.

In game two, E-town built an early lead and never let up as WC had trouble on serve receive and never got the break needed to gain momentum. The Commanderettes fell in game two, 18-25, to bring their season to a close.

“We played pretty well in the second game,” said WC assistant volleyball coach Todd Osbourne. “We were aggressive hitting the ball and continued to fight back, but E-town got some big blocks and extended the lead.”

“We had a pretty good effort against a good E-town team,” said WC head volleyball coach Brett Hudson. “I am very proud of our team. I don’t think that the ladies could have given any more effort than what they did. They showed up ready to play and made Washington County proud of their effort.”

The girls earned a spot in the regional by defeating Bethlehem 2-1 last week in the first round of the 17th District Tournament in Bardstown. That win got them into the championship game against Nelson County, where they lost 0-2 (19-25, 24-26) and took second place in the district.

Some minor mistakes and a lack of communication plagued game one as the Commanderettes lost 19-25.

In game two, WC was more focused in the beginning and was strong at the service line.

The ladies rebounded with strong service and good defense late in the game, but it was too little, too late as Nelson County took game two 26-24 to win the district championship.

Senior Morgan Thomas, junior Clare Smith and sophomore Jaclyn Kelty were named to the all-district team.

In summing up the season, Hudson added, “I would like to thank our seniors for a great effort and thank them for their time and commitment that they have put into this program. I would also like to thank coach Osbourne and David Thomas for helping on stats. This team would not run without the help of the parents as well. To Morgan Thomas, Sarah Teater, Brittany Curtsinger, Amber Taylor and Emily Tingle, thanks for a great four years at Washington County.”