Cougars begin volleyball season with 3-0 sweep of the Cobras
8/18/23: The 2023 Lady Cougars played host to the CORE Community Cobras in the AAC’s first volleyball action of the season on Friday night. CORE is much improved from last year, but TCS showed their main goal is nothing less than a title, losing in the AAC championship a year ago. Having most of its’s core back from last year’s squad and adding two new coaches (Zephyrino and Helena Machado-married couple with several years of volleyball experience playing and coaching in their hometown, Brazil) the 2023 Cougars believe they have all the right pieces for another shot at a championship.
CORE came in confident and caught the Lady Cougars off guard, taking a 4-0 lead from the start. It was not until freshman phenom, Alaina Larson served up three aces in a row before the Cougar attack took the lead 18-16. Then senior Anna Morris iced the set with five straight serves for the 25-17 victory.
In set two Cottage took control from the jump. Junior Finley Love served over eight floaters in a row before CORE scored a point. Teammates Larson and senior All-Conference star Alyssa Briggs also showed off their serving accuracy. Alaina aced three of four points and Briggs had two aces in a five straight scoring run to all but seal the win, up 23-5. The Cougars finished the Cobras off 25-6.
The final set showed off the Cougar depth on this year’s team, as the Machado’s substituted early and often. CORE bounced back and it made for a fun and exciting final set. With TCS ahead 20-19 sophomore, Eleanor Gaffneystone rotated to serve. Her first year playing and first ever match, Gaffneystone scored on four straight serves, including one ace for a 24-19 edge. Her team went on to finish the sweep, with a 25-20 victory.
The Cougars have two matches next week beginning with their championship rivals, Howard. You do not want to miss this rematch here at the Cougar Center on 8/23. It will also be the first match for our middle school team. They will play Howard’s JV team in a best of three before the varsity will see if they can finally get over the Hawks’ dominant volleyball run in the AAC.
Game Notes
Freshman Alaina Larson earned 11 points and added 7 aces and 4 kills.
Junior Finley Love scored 14 points in just two sets, which included 5 aces.
Senior Captain Alyssa Briggs earned 8 points, including 3 aces.
Senior All-Conference Bella Aparicio scored 4 points.
Senior Anna Morris scored 6 points.
Sophomore Carly Love added 3 points, a great set to Larson, and 1 kill.
Sophomore Addison Nowakowski scored on two serves, including one ace.
Freshman Camryn Pursley added a point.
Senior Hollyn Kershner scored a point with a nice serve over.
Sophomore Eleanor Gaffneystone served over those four points stated above.