North Putnam gets first win of the season over Warriors

ROACHDALE --North Putnam's volleyball team won its first match of the season Thursday, defeating Turkey Run 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-15 in non-conference play on the Cougars' floor.

"It was a very, very sloppy win, but it's a win and I'll take it," North Putnam coach Jill Schreiber said.

North Putnam (1-4) had strong performances from Morgan Robinson, Katie Welch, Kallie Brattain and Samantha Lucas, who played in her first match of the season. Lucas had been sidelined with an ankle sprain.

"We had Sam back and she helped us with her serving and play at the net," Schreiber said. "She was a little slow on her feet from the injury, but once she gets into shape, we're going to be pretty good with her and (middle hitter) Morgan Robinson. Morgan did a great job tonight."

Robinson had nine kills and 15 digs. Lucas had two kills, one ace and seven digs. Outside hitter and setter Katie Welch had six kills, 10 assists and 26 digs.

"Katie is a very good athlete and she has to play two positions," Schreiber said. "She's our all-around player. She plays hard."

Brattain had five aces, seven kills and 12 digs.

"Kallie has perfected that jump serve," Schreiber said. "She's had some hard hits. She'd never played volleyball until her sophomore year and she improved tremendously."

Schreiber also praised the play of junior Alyssa Roberts, who had four digs late in the match.

"I thought Alyssa came in and played well for us on the back line," Schreiber said.

North Putnam also had contributions from Kenzy Asbell, who had three kills, two aces, one assist and nine digs; Kelsey Reed, who had one kill, three assists and nine digs; Madi Asbell, who had one ace and 10 digs; Bethany Wiatt, who had two aces and 15 digs; and LeeAnn Davis, who had 14 digs.

North Putnam didn't come out flat as it has often this season. It was 15-15 in the first game. But Turkey Run (3-4) went on a 10-2 run, taking advantage of the Cougars' serving and hitting errors.

The second game was the turning point in the match. Turkey Run opened up a 21-14 advantage. Brattain's line-drive serving delivered back-to-back aces and another hard-hit serve cut the Warrarios' lead to 21-18.

Turkey Run scored a point, but North Putnam came back with back-to-back aces by Wiatt to get within one, 22-21.

The Warriors led 24-22, set point, but Lucas stretched her 6-foot frame to score on a well-placed touch shot. Welch scored a point with a long, well-placed, medium-velocity shot to tie the match, 24-24. Welch followed with an ace and Turkey Run's kill went out of bounds for the final point.

The lead was swapped regularly in the third game. North Putnam led 19-14, but the Warriors closed their deficit to 20-19. The Cougars scored the next point, but Turkey Run put three in a row on the board for a 22-21 lead.

North Putnam scored the final four points, two straight set up by Lucas' serves, and Brattain's kill closed out the game, 25-21.

North Putnam took its momentum into the fourth game, jumping out to a 10-4 lead. The Cougars led 17-9 when the Warriors went on their final run, 5-1, on the match, to get within 18-14.

The Cougars responded by out-scoring the Warriors 7-1 to take the set, 25-15.