GORDONSVILLE-After an impressive rally during the second half of their season and a gutsy win over Red Boiling Springs (RBS) in the district tournament opener, the Clay County High School Lady Bulldog volleyball team’s season came to an end in the semifinal round of their conference tournament here last Thursday night at the hands of Class A #1-ranked Watertown.

ALL-CONFERENCE-Senior Maddy Key and junior Katie Arms were both named to the all-conference team following their semifinal loss in the district tournament. Arms was also chosen as all-tournament for her postseason play. (Horizon photo)

The Lady Dawgs battled RBS to the wire in Celina on Tuesday, October 8 in a match that went the five-game distance, before succumbing to the talented Lady Purple Tigers in three games in the semifinal match.

“From where we started with only one senior and such young kids, I thought the girls showed more improvement than any team I’ve ever had,” veteran head coach Gary J. Strong said.  “They got better all year long, they stayed at it, they worked hard, and it really paid off.

“To come back and finish like they did after the slow start was impressive.”

The team finished with an 11-9 overall recored, but half of their losses came early on.

“I think we lost three out our first four district games and four out of our first five,” Strong said.  “Then we only lost a couple in the second half of the season.

“It just took a little while to figure it all out, but they did and, if we hadn’t ended up in the bracket with Watertown, I think we would’ve had a good shot to advance to the region.”

Maddy Key, the lone senior on the team, was a big part of the Lady Dawgs’ late-season success and her coach recognized her effort.

“She enjoyed the game, her teammates, playing and competing, and just got better every year,” Strong said of the three-year starter.  “She wasn’t the rah-rah type, but she always set a good example for the girls, was a quiet leader, and led by example.

“She also had some of the best hands and timing I’ve ever seen and, when she hit it, most of the time she kept it in play—which is huge.  She’s a good kid and we will miss her.”

Key was named to the regular-season all-conference team this season, along with junior Katie Arms—who was also chosen as all-tournament after having a nice postseason.

“With the example Maddy has set and what we have returning, the expectations are going to be there next year,” Strong said.  “We should be right in the thick of it and have a good chance to advance to the region and maybe even make it out of it next year.”

Pictured are (back row, left to right) manager Kassie Copass, Kassidy Eads, Isabella Hale, Claire Grace, Maddy Key, head coach Gary J. Strong, Lauren Weaver, Cameron Tucker, Briley Burchett, Abby Head, manager Sarah Gulley, (front row, left to right) Aliyah Kingery, Lilli Burchett, Zoe Hayes, Baleigh Watson, Cherokee Upton, and Katie Arms. (photo courtesy cchsmedia.zenfolio.com)