Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers started hot, cooled off, warmed up some more, cooled off and then finished on fire.

The hot-and-cold performance was good enough for the Lady Tigers to open their volleyball season with an Ohio Valley Conference win on Tuesday as they topped the Fairland Lady Dragons.

Ironton won in four sets, 25-15, 21-25, 25-10 and 26-24.

“The girls came out with a fire and took the first game quickly,” said Ironton coach Beth Campbell. “But Fairland didn’t quit and won the second set. But our girls responded and had a great team effort.”

After Ironton went up 2-1, Fairland rebounded and built a 19-6 lead.

But D’Laynie Keith scored eight straight points to ignite the Ironton comeback as the Lady Fighting Tigers won the set 26-24 to take the match.

Keith led all servers with 21 points and Jordan Hannan had 17.

Lexi Wise racked up 14 kills at the net and Hannan piled up 14 assists.

Defensively, Zakia Lee had 14 solo blocks, Wise 8 and McKenzie Cremeens 5. Alyssa Lewis came up with 19 digs.

Emily Chapman led Fairland with 18 points and Caelan Huff scored 13 points.

Ironton hosts Coal Grove at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Gallipolis at South Point

SOUTH POINT — The Gallipolis Blue Angels downed future Ohio Valley Conference opponent South Point in straight sets on Tuesday.

Gallipolis — who joins the OVC next year — won 25-14, 25-13 and 25-12 in the varsity match.

The Lady Pointers won the junior varsity game in straight sets, 25-15, 25-23.

On Monday, Gallipolis down Fairland in straight sets, 25-9, 25-9 and 25-15.