The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers proved to be self-serving Thursday.

Serving played a key role as the young and inexperienced Lady Tigers won their second match in three attempts as they knocked off the Rose Hill (Ky.) Royals in straight sets, 25-21, 25-8 and 25-20.

“Our serving has improved but we are still struggling with our passing,” said Ironton coach Beth Campbell. “We need to limit teams from rallying with four or five straight points.”

As for the serving, Saige Fields had 19 points with 12 aces and Colleen Walker scored 15 points including 9 aces.

Kaitlyn Hackworth had 6 points including 5 aces while Haley Snyder and Andi Kratzenberg scored 5 points each and Shannon Walker added 4 points.

Colleen Walker and Kratzenberg handed out 8 assists each.

Nikki Elswick drilled 11 kills and Sarah Linn registered 8 kills for the Lady Tigers.

In the reserve match, Ironton won 21-25, 25-18 and 25-16.

Ashton McMackin had 15 points for the Lady Tigers and Maggie Thomas scored 11. Amy McSorley added 5 points and Meghan Taylor 4.

Ironton hosts its invitational on Saturday at the middle school where two gyms will be in use.

The 9-team field begins play at 10 a.m. and includes St. Joseph, Coal Grove, Portsmouth, River Valley, Paint Valley and Kentucky schools Ashland, Russell and Boyd County.

“I’m really excited about the invitational. It should be a great day of volleyball,” said Campbell. “We will see how we match up against the Kentucky teams and vice versa, and we have some really good teams from Ohio.”

Ironton plays at Portsmouth on Monday.