In their season opener at home, the O’Bannon Lady Waves came out with dominance, sweeping their cross-county rivals Gentry Lady Rams in straight sets (3-0).
The first set started with O’Bannon taking a quick 11–4 lead. After a timeout to regroup, Gentry looked to respond — but Lady Wave Naterius Jones took full control. She tipped one over the block and later delivered a solid kill after a back-and-forth rally to extend the lead. O’Bannon never looked back, taking the first set.
In set two, it was Ju’Mya Sellers who caught fire. Her triple serve run shook Gentry’s defense and they just couldn’t adjust. From that point on, O’Bannon kept their foot on the gas. The second set ended much like the first 25–11, all Lady Waves.
Gentry found some fight in the third. Jazlyn Lott chipped in a slick back toss to help Gentry jump ahead early 8–3. They eventually tied the game 10–10, showing signs of life. Then it became a back-and-forth battle. O’Bannon’s Kameron Salone sent one back to give her team a 2-point edge at 13–11, but Gentry’s Lott came up clutch again, scoring to give her squad a 15–13 lead. Still, O’Bannon stayed composed. Jones added another point, and it was Lajada Mays who shut the door, winning the game with a big-time triple serve streak., 25–18. The Lady Waves started the season with a strong, well-rounded team win. Third year head coach Ashley Redmond and team did not rest this summer. “We had two local camps and a Millsaps camp in early June that opened up a different world of volleyball for us, " she said. The exposure helped us out tremendously.”
The Lady Waves will host another highway rival Simmons Lady Blue Devils at home on August 12th at 5:30.
