NEW LEBANON — In the first round of the Division III, Brookville 2 Sectional Tournament, the No.7-seed Preble Shawnee Lady Arrows suffered an upset against the No.14-seed Triad Cardinals in five sets.
The loss, which occurred on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Dixie High School, ends the Arrows’ 2016 campaign.
The Cardinals took the first set 25-20, after leading almost the entire set. At one point, Shawnee was down 17-8, but staged a comeback to outscore their opponents 12-6 before a time-out was called.
The second set was far more competitive, as no team ever led by more than three points. Preble Shawnee either led or was tied throughout most of the set, but was edged out to lose, 24-26.
The third set was equally tough, with eight ties and four lead changed before the Lady Arrows avoided an early exit with a 26-24 win off a block by sophomore Kaylee Campbell.
The fourth set was almost all Preble Shawnee. Despite two tied scores, the Arrows took hold of a mid-game lead and never relinquished it. Thanks to some good defensive play and setting by senior team captain Elise Walker, the Arrows won 25-16, to tie up the match at 2-2.
Unfortunately, Shawnee then lost its momentum. The team suffered critical miscues on the floor as Triad took advantage of Shawnee’s mistakes. Triad team captain Madison Dolby, despite her small stature, played like a giant with powerful kills and near-flawless setting. Triad managed to score five unanswered points to take a 10-5 lead before an Arrow timeout was called.
After the break, Triad scored two aces and a side out to increase the lead 13-6. Preble Shawnee tried to stage another comeback, but was too late. Triad won 15-8 on the final play.
“We started off too slow for the day, and we paid for it,” said Shawnee coach Kristy Cottingim. “That was our problem. We did show a lot of fight, we didn’t give up and I was proud of them for that. By all means, they were a good opponent. I think the girls have advanced a lot from the beginning of the season. We lose seven seniors after this, and that’s hard to overcome for the next season, but I’m proud of them all, and I’m going to miss the seniors.”
Earlier in the week, the Lady Arrows lost to Milton Union, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-17 on Thursday, Oct. 13. Shawnee won the first game in a very tight contest, but the Lady Bulldogs took over from there, winning the next three sets.
Preble Shawnee closes out the season with a 12-11 overall record, finishing third in the Buckeye Division of the Southwestern Buckeye League with an 8-4 record.
Seniors Walker, Brianna Wells, Addie Anspaugh, Lesley Coffey, Kassy Wilson, Savannah Lynch and Sarah Kurtz have played their final season for the Arrows.
