Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

JACKSON — When little things go wrong, it usually means a loss. When little things go right, it usually means a win.

The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers experienced the good and bad of little things as they split a pair of volleyball matches at a Jackson tri-match on Saturday.

Ironton lost to Jackson — a Division II school — in straight sets 16-25, 17-25, then beat Western Pike in three sets, 25-15, 16-25 and 25-23.

“We would have three- to four-minute rallies and the inexperience would creep up on us,” said Ironton coach Beth Campbell.

“Jackson’s coach (Jay Martin) was impressed with how much our girls had improved in just two weeks when we played them. We just made the mistakes that the other team didn’t.”

Ironton had a balanced effort. Saige Fields had 4 points and 6 kills, Maggie Thomas 4 points and 16 assists, Andi Kratzenberg 4 points and 4 kills, Jordan Hannan 3 points, Lexie Washington and Macy Wise 5 blocks each.

The Lady Tigers bounced back to beat Western Pike with Thomas scoring a career-high 16 points.

Kratzenberg had 4 points including 3 aces, Hannan got 8 points with 4 aces, Wise and Washington had 10 blocks apiece with Washington adding 8 kills and Wise 5.

“Western was a scrappy team. They hustled on every play and they had a really nice outside hitter who had a great arm swing and placed the ball well,” said Campbell.

“The girls were determined after losing to Jackson and playing the very next game that they weren’t going to leave without a win. We are making great strides and I’m proud of all of them for their effort.”

Ironton plays at Greenup County on Thursday in a tripleheader starting at 5 p.m.