Tigers sneak past Rangers, fall to Pioneers in LHS Volleyball action

The Tigers weren't able to keep up the momentum in a home contest against Mt. Whitney on Thursday, where they fell 3-1 to the Pioneers. Lemoore lost the first set 25-23 before storming back for a 25-23 victory. It was all downhill from there as the Pioneers won the final two sets 25-22 and 25-19.

Lemoore fell to 2-1 in the West Yosemite League and 12-8 overall.

"I am very proud of my girls," said Tiger Coach Rachel Taylor of the team's win over Redwood. "They never game up and played together as a team the entire time."

Jessica Taylor had 17 kills for Lemoore while Leah Rodrigues came up with 17 digs. Trinity Jones provided some key plays down the stretch enabling the Tigers to pull away in the fifth and final game for the match.

Taylor and company take on El Diamante Wednesday (Oct. 8) in Visalia. Should the Tigers win that will be Taylor's 100th victory as a Tiger coach.

 Sunnyside Tournament

Last Saturday the Tigers defeated Bullard High School for the championship of the Sunnyside Tournament after defeating Monache in two straight sets earlier in the day. The Tigers won five of six games en-route to the tournament title. Lemoore had earlier lost to Bullard in pool play and were looking forward to the rematch.

“The energy level has never been so high,” said Tiger Coach Rachel Taylor of that tournament finale. “Jessica Taylor was named the tourney MVP and Leah Rodriguez was named to the all-tourney team. She is the team’s libero.”

The Tigers won the first set against Bullard 25-21 and the second set was a nail biter with the Tigers winning in overtime 26-24. “Jessica and Leah had a great tournament, but it really was a team effort. Desiree Avalos really stepped up and played the back row better than she ever has in the past,” said Taylor. “Both of my setters, Dulany Jones and Trinity Jones, did an outstanding job moving the ball around. Faith Wyatt and Bailey Kerby were great in the middle.”

Earlier in the week Lemoore suffered a setback in the first set against visiting Hanford West, dropping a 25-23 set, but stormed back to win the remaining three sets to easily get past the visiting Huskies 3-1. Taylor had 15 kills for the Tigers.