Tiger Cubs cruise to JV Putnam County Volleyball title

Members of the 2013 Putnam County JV Volleyball Tournament champion Greencastle Tiger Cubs include Kenlee Johnson, Madison Trout, Makenna Hofer, Madison Woodall, Kaylea Torr, Lydia Trout, Rachel Chadd, Kaysha Murphy, Sarah Miller, Skyler Hensley and coach Rebecca Hoesman. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

ROACHDALE -- The Greencastle JV volleyball team had a modest goal entering Saturday's Putnam County Tournament: come out strong and play well against Cloverdale.

Do that, GHS coach Rebecca Hoesman said, and winning would take care of itself. The girls did just that, and the strong play turned into a county title.

The Tiger Cubs beat Cloverdale in three sets, then topped host North Putnam 25-18, 25-18 in the championship match.

North Putnam freshman Desire' Parks goes up for a spike during the JV championship game on Saturday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

"I was really proud of the girls," GHS coach Rebecca Hoesman said. "They all worked hard and they really had a mission. They wanted to win county."

The Tiger Cubs got great contributions from their entire roster, Hoesman said, with everyone communicating, working in sync and peaking to her abilities at the right time.

"Every single person had a good game," Hoesman said. "We watched (the Cougars) before our game to see what we could pick up on and I think that really helped us realize what we needed to do."

After winning the back-and-forth first set against the Cougars, thanks to service runs by freshmen Lydia Trout and Sarah Miller, the Tiger Cubs entered set two with confidence.

North Putnam battled right back.

"We were thrilled about (making the championship game)," NPHS coach Alyssa Ward said.

Freshman Grace Willard ran off four straight points to start the match and give the Cougars a 4-0 lead. Freshman Aleah Duncan extended it to five with an ace at 12-7, then GHS regained possession with Miller at the service line.

Trailing by four in the title-clinching set when Miller took the line, Greencastle ran off 11 straight points, including a pair of aces.

"She's a really good all-around player and she's been working on her serves a lot," Hoesman said. "She has a jump serve I wish she would have used, but it didn't really matter. ... Oh my goodness that was awesome."

GHS freshman Madison Trout added an ace later in the match. North Putnam had one final chance to get back in the match with freshman Bronwyn Spencer serving, and her clutch serving extended the match, but the rally came up just short.

Miller finished the match with 16 points and four kills. Lydia Trout had four points and 13 sets. Madison Trout had six points and nine kills.

Spencer had five points to lead the Cougars. Sierra Spencer had seven assists with two each going to Desire' Parks and Carlie Bundy.

Ward said she is confident her team can play more competitively with the Tiger Cubs

"When we went up against Greencastle we just played scared," Ward said. "We play Greencastle again on Oct. 3, so we'll show them what's up then."

Sarah Miller dominated the Putnam County JV Volleyball Tournament championship game on offense, defense and at the service line. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

2013 Putnam County JV Tournament
At North Putnam
Championship match