Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Of all the points scored, the final point will be the most remembered.

Ironton fell behind two sets before rallying to tie their Ohio Valley Conference volleyball match last Thursday.

In the tiebreaker match, Portsmouth went up 15-14 and then scored the winning point on a controversial net violation call.

Ironton dropped their first game of the season as the Lady Trojans escaped with a 25-14, 25-11, 26-28, 23-25, 16-14 win.

“We lost the first two sets. We never really found our groove the first two sets. Portsmouth definitely came with some strong attacks and we were missing the blocks, had digging errors and missed serves,” said Ironton coach Beth Campbell.

“However, the girls weren’t backing down without a fight and, I might add, a serious workout.”

The third game was tied at 26 when freshman Peighton Rowe stepped in and served and ace. Her next served resulted in a block by Kenzie Cremeens to seal the win and start the comeback.

Ironton then won the fourth set 25-23 and built a 12-9 lead in the tiebreaker.

But Portsmouth rallied to tie the set at 12 and then each team scored twice to make it 14-all.

Portsmouth then went ahead 15-14 and set up the controversial call to end the game.

Lexie Wise finished with 12 points for Ironton. Alyssa Lewis and D’Laynie Keith had eight points each, Kenzie Cremeens and Ali White six each and Zakia Lee added three.

Keith had 13 kills and Wise 12. Lewis racked up 29 assists, Keith had 18 digs and Lee had 13 blocks.

Portsmouth was led by Allison Doughat and Aiden Fields with 14 points each and Anne Marie Raies added 10.

In the reserve match, Ironton won 23-25, 25-15, 25-17 and is now 6-0.

Mckenzie McMasters finished with 12 points including four aces and Shay Cox had 12 points. Peighton Rowe scored 10 points, Marybeth Burton seven, Riley Schreck five and Lydia Hannan two points.

Portsmouth was led by Taylor Mullins with 10 points, Morgan Grashel with six and Kendra Waddell had five.

Ironton hosts Fairland on Tuesday in an OVC game.