The Greenville High Honeybees and O’Bannon Lady Greenwaves volleyball team competed in a very intense match Thursday evening in O'Bannon during as the Honeybees pulled away in the fourth set winning three sets to one. The Honeybees moved to 7-5 on their season.
For most of the game, neither team led by more than 5 points on the board. The Honeybees claimed the first set while the Greenwaves adjusted to take the second set. During the third set, which was the most challenging, the Lady Greenwaves were able to tie with the Honeybees 13-13 including an impressive campfire hit over the net. In the latter part of the set, Honeybees Camarriah Rhodes’ scores twice as a result of her serves. Subsequently, both teams would toss the ball across for nearly 30 seconds until OB’S Zakiya Peterson found an opening in the Honeybees’ defense to score. On the opposite side, a serve by Honeybee senior Jada Powell, followed by a tip over the net of teammate Brianna Lance helped the Honeybees to go into the fourth set with the advantage. Powell would then go on to make driving power defensive and offensive decisions that boosted her team’s momentum during this important set. Head coach of the Lady Greenwaves Ashley Redmond comments, “This was indeed a good clean, fun rival game and I am proud of what both programs are doing. Both teams played well on each side of the ball and we can both look forward to having great seasons this year.”
Kristara Bryant, Honeybees head coach, also agrees that this rival game was one of the most tested games yet. “This game honestly came down to communication, awareness, and all around working as a team.” Identical to each set, the fourth set was also played with the teams battling and eventually a tie at 9-9. The Greenwaves got a break when they finally got a lead by three points led by Jumya Sellers and Peterson defensively and offensively in an attempt to force a fifth deciding set. However, Rhodes put the game away after two consecutive points were added on board helping the Honeybees’ escape with the win.
Bryant also added,”There are still things to improve both offensively and defensively despite this win. We can always strengthen our techniques and communication. Overall, my goal is to have them show up consistently on game days the way I see them practice.”
The Greenville High Honeybees and the Lady Greenwaves will both be on the road during their next contests on Tuesday, September 10th. The Honeybees will travel to Canton while the Greenwaves will go up against the Northside Gators. Both games will tip off at 5:30 p.m.
