Cloverdale senior night ends in loss to Southmont

Cloverdale senior Beka Jordan goes up for an attack during a match earlier this season. Jordan had two kills on Tuesday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

CLOVERDALE -- The Cloverdale volleyball team's celebration of senior night on Tuesday was cut short as the team lost to the visiting South Montgomery Mounties in three sets, 25-16, 25-14, 25-20.

Cloverdale's best set of the night was the last. After getting down 11-4, senior Lexi Branneman got the serve and rattled off nine points, including two aces, to take the lead. The Clovers could not hold that advantage and let it slip away despite their momentum.

"Its good for us to face really tough teams right now with one match to go," CHS coach Kathy Moore said. "We beat Ritter on Saturday, we played the best ball we have all year Saturday. We beat Clay City, who we lost too early in the season, and we played Cascade tight."

The Mounties were a good team with a good hitter in the middle and Moore acknowledged that.

"They had one of the leading hitters in terms of kills right now," she said. "Even if you lose, it's good to get to play a high level of competition. When you get to the playoffs our sectional is tough. Its good for us too see the tough teams at the end."

The Cloverdale seniors had a good year and hope to go deep in the tournament this year.

"This is the nicest group of seniors," Moore said. "They play hard, they have big hearts. We are not very big but they get along and they have been with me for a long time."

Coach Moore also said that, even though things have not gone its way at times, the team still shows grit for every point and is universally positive.

"We have not had the kind of year we were hoping for, but they have heart and they are on the floor and I cannot ask for more than that. They give me all they can," Moore said.

Moore also added that the seniors have been a huge influence on the underclassmen and that they do things right in the classroom.

"There are several very good leaders and we have some silent leaders that lead by example not necessarily with their mouth," she said. "Five of the seven are academic letter jacket winners, which means a very high GPA. Some are in the top-10 in their class and most are involved in activities in school. They are just fine students and citizens as far as I am concerned."

Moore added that in sectionals teams must forget about their regular season, whether they are undefeated or winless because anything is possible.

"I always say that it's the beginning of a new season when we get too the playoffs because anything can happen," she said. "Last year we were expected to win and we struggled in the final.

"This year we are the underdog, and that's fine."

At Cloverdale
Southmont.......25 25 25
Cloverdale.......16 14 20