The Times-Tribune
CORBIN —
By Tim Branstetter / Staff Writer
The Whitley County Colonels and the Corbin Lady Redhounds are no longer district opponents, but don’t tell them that.
The rivalry is just as strong as ever and it showed as the Lady Colonels battled back to claim a three set victory 23-25, 25-22, 25-22.
“This is the proudest I have been in a while,” Whitley County coach David Halcomb said. “This is a big win. We got down eight points in the second set and I challenged our team.”
Whitley County got off to a fast start as they grabbed a 6-1 advantage in the first set as Candis Powell scored five points on serve, including two aces.
The Lady Redhounds turned to Mandi Robinson. Robinson added four kills to lead Corbin to a 25-23 win.
Robinson continued her strong play in the second set with two kills to give Corbin a 5-2 advantage and they went on to grab an 18-10 lead. Vanessa Wiseman added two kills during the Lady Redhounds’ run.
Powell and Elizabeth Patrick stepped up and took over at the net for the Lady Colonels as Powell scored two kills, while Patrick added four kills and a block for an impressive comeback victory, 25-22.
“We always play uptight when we play Whitley County,” Corbin coach Alicia Elwell said. “Vanessa played way under her abilities and Hannah (Helm) was almost invisible. We made way too many mistakes. It didn’t help the way we were getting calls either. It’s hard when you have critical mistakes by the stripes and your own players.”
The third set belonged to Powell as she scored eight straight points on serve, including three aces for a 9-1 Whitley County lead.
Sears stepped up late with three big kills to give the Lady Colonels a 25-22 win.
“That’s what high school athletics are all about,” Halcomb said. “This is not a district game, but it’s still a huge rivalry. I’m really excited to get this win and I’m very proud of the girls for fighting back and not giving up.”
