Lady Pioneers start strong, top Wilson Central
Reese Reinitz was a weapon at the service line against Wilson Central, igniting an early rally and finishing with a team-high six aces.
Warren County couldn't have scripted a much better start to its home opener Tuesday night.
Reese Reinitz caught fire from the service line, the Lady Pioneers raced ahead 15-1 and a packed student section inside Charlie Dalton Gym had plenty of reasons to make some noise. And while what initially looked like it could be a quick night ultimately turned into a battle, with Wilson Central refused to go quietly, Warren County secured a 3-1 victory, winning 25-18, 22-25, 25-20 and 27-25.
“I’m just so proud of how the girls played tonight,” said coach Erin Blalock. “The gym was electric and the girls fed off of the energy while adding to it all night.”
Reinitz was nearly untouchable from the service line during Warren County's opening surge, ultimately finishing with six aces. Even a timeout when Wilson Central found itself on the wrong side of an 8-1 opening avalanche didn’t help. If anything, it just lit more of a fire under the Lady Pioneers to perform in front of an electric crowd.
The Lady Pioneers never surrendered their early advantage in the first set, with senior Aubrey Oleksik putting an exclamation point on the 25-18 win by unloading her patented left-handed spike and splitting the Wilson Central defense.
The visitors didn't go away.
Wilson Central responded by taking the second set 25-22, then continued applying pressure the rest of the night. Warren County was never forced to play from behind in sets, but the Lady Pioneers repeatedly had to fend off pushes from a team determined to spoil opening night.
“The girls never got down on themselves, even when momentum tried to shift,” said Blalock. “They kept their heads in the match and finished the tough sets when we needed it.”
Warren County regained control with a 25-20 victory in the third before the fourth became the night's biggest test.
Neither team could create much separation as the set pushed beyond 25, but Warren County never wilted. The Lady Pioneers finally finished off the visitors, setting off another celebration from a home crowd that had provided energy throughout the match.
Blalock credited her players for recognizing what needed to change as Wilson Central continued challenging them.
“The team talked through and made a few adjustments on the court after the first couple of sets and it paid off,” said Blalock. “I just can’t say enough about the grit and the effort they showed tonight. Both squads came to play tonight.”
There were plenty of contributors to Warren County's victory.
Sloan Youngblood continues to blossom into a major weapon from the strong side, leading Warren County with 11 kills while also collecting a team-high 13 digs. Natalie Payne was once again a force in the middle, finishing with eight kills and four blocks.
Oleksik added six kills and seven digs, while Brynlee Chisam had five kills and two blocks. Caroline Boyd and Elliana Heintz each put down four kills, with Boyd adding two blocks and Heintz contributing three aces.
Warren County also continued getting production from both of its setters. Maelee Turner dished out 16 assists, while Reinitz added 13 assists to go with her six aces.
The Lady Pioneers are now 2-0 after opening the season Monday with a road sweep at Cannon County. Warren County will go for the opening-week trifecta when its back at Charlie Dalton Gym Thursday to face LaVergne. Action will begin at 6 p.m.
