#6-ranked TFS wins two matches and advances to Gold Bracket in Rally Cup Tournament
Lady Indians reel off two wins, including against a top-10 opponent
Playing in the same location as where TFS won its state championship a mere three years ago brings back good memories. #6-ranked Tallulah Falls played at LakePoint Sports Complex in Cartersville in the annual Rally Cup Tournament. The Lady Indians went 2-2 overall in their matches, competing in the Gold Bracket after tying for first in the pool play. TFS moves to 10-5 overall on the season.
Pool Play
vs #9 Coahulla Creek: L 1-2
The Lady Indians started out a bit slow, dropping the first set 13-25. In the second set, Corinne Swinton and Becca Heyl got the team going with great serving runs. The offense became more fluid and TFS stayed within the game plan. The result was a 25-12 set win to even the match. The final set went in favor of #9-ranked Coahulla Creek, 12-15.
vs #9 Valdosta: W 2-0
Against #9-ranked Valdosta, Tallulah Falls won 25-12, 25-14 in straight sets. Margalida Amengual Sanchez showed great accuracy to allow Swinton, Heyl, and Sofia Livianos several big kills. Swinton had several blocks, but one in particular stood out as it brought people to their feet. Livianos pulled TFS ahead with multiple aces in a row.
vs Cambridge: W 2-0
Closing out the pool play bracket, TFS beat Cambridge 25-23, 25-15 in a tightly-contested match. Lily Smith carried the Lady Indians with amazing serves and kills, both cross-court and nailing the line. Livianos' swings maintained power through the course of the day and were an asset in this match. She secured the win with her power kill to the line. Emmalyn Whisnant stepped up at libero in place of Laura Ruiz Rendon, who was having some knee issues. Whisnant got more comfortable as the match went on. Swinton contributed the final six points at serve.
With the win over Cambridge, Tallulah Falls was in a three-way tie for first, coming out on top due to set percentages. That moved TFS to the Gold Bracket.
Gold Bracket
vs #3 King's Academy: L 1-2
Against a familiar foe, #3 King's Academy, Tallulah dropped a 25-23, 20-25, 12-15 tough match. The daily grind began to catch up to TFS, but they dug deep and continued to hustle. Heyl battled through shin splints and a hurt knee, not showing signs of slowing down. She had several key digs, serves, and kills. She and Swinton kept the team pushing in hopes of securing the win. Shelby Whisnant had many good serves in the third set as TFS rallied back from down 7-13 to 12-13, but King's Academy edged out the victory.