ABOVE) Scenes from August 27 AHS volleyball

By Cort Reynolds

ADA – The Ada High School volleyball team easily dispatched visiting Perry in straight sets Tuesday, August 27, to win their third consecutive match.

Ada improved to 3-1 overall with the decisive 25-18, 25-11, 25-13 non-league sweep. Perry dropped to 0-4 after the loss.

“I thought we played really well,” said Bulldog head coach Kyleigh Woodruff. “Our hitters did a good job of putting the ball away. Our hitter/setter connection is improving; they did a really nice job. 

“I ran four setters, so we are still working on things and trying to figure it out,” she explained. “The good thing is our team has a lot of versatile players so I can switch up the lineups.” 

Ada rolled to victory in the first two games and jumped ahead 10-6 in set three. The hosts stretched the lead to 19-10 on a cross-court kill by Tess Griffith. 

A big kill by Anna Conley made it 20-12 moments later. A good serve by Natilyn McClain and a Perry hitting error advanced the lead to 22-12. 

A Commodore serving miscue extended the margin to 23-13. Dailah Preston’s ensuing block earned Ada match point.

Bulldog sophomore Alivia Gibson then rifled a low ace to finish it off, 25-13.

Senior Griffith topped Ada with 11 kills. She added nine digs, four aces and one block. Brooklyn Andreasen contributed six kills and one block. Junior middle Conley knocked down five kills.

Sophomore Preston compiled five kills, five blocks and one ace. Senior libero Jenna Bassitt hustled up 18 digs, dealt four assists and served one ace.

Sophomore setter Jaylin St. Laurent passed out a team-best 14 assists. Junior Alainee Buxton dished out five assists, while senior Kennedy Jones added three assists.

Senior McClain fired two aces and made four digs. Junior defensive specialist Alyssa Madison added a pair of aces. 

The Bulldog girls also won the JV match in straight sets, 2-0.

Ada plays in a non-league tri-match at Arlington (4-1) also including Hardin Northern (1-2) Saturday morning.

The Bulldogs host new Blanchard Valley Conference opponent Arlington in their league match September 18.