Strong serving takes Suwannee past HCHS

Published 12:59 pm Tuesday, August 22, 2017

JASPER — The school year hasn’t started yet at Hamilton County High School, but the volleyball season is already underway.

HCHS hosted Suwannee on Monday in the regular-season opener for both teams.

Sparked by serving 18 aces, SHS left with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-15) victory.

“It was exciting,” said Suwannee coach Rayanna Johnson, who picked up a win in her coaching debut. “We have such a great foundation, such good technique. I just enjoy being their coach.”

Senior Jaylin Roberts finished with a match-high 10 aces and four kills for the Bulldogs. 

Suwannee grabbed an 8-0 lead to start, but Hamilton County didn’t go down easily in the first game. 

After a slow start, HCHS put together its best stretch of the entire match — an 11-4 run — to get within one point at 12-11.   

SHS then regained control, finishing the game with three straight aces by Sarah McWaters for a 25-17 win.

“McWaters is such a tricky server. You don’t ever know where it’s going to go,” Johnson said. “Jaylin has so much power and consistency. Their serves are huge.” 

After a back and forth first game, Suwannee maintained big leads during the final two games.  

“We haven’t started school, so practice has not been how I’d like it to be going into the season,” said Hamilton coach Hannah Perez. 

“Suwannee has some strong servers. We have to learn how to face that. Mayo, as our district team, our biggest opponent, they have really strong servers.”

Although Hamilton didn’t play its best game, Perez liked the effort from her team, especially libero RaNesha Gunsby (four digs) and Destine Marshall. 

Up next: Suwannee hosts Madison County today at 7 p.m. Hamilton County hosts Bronson today at 6 p.m.