Early season showdown for Bob Jones volleyball
Haley Hop and Emily Hatcher go high to block a shot during action against Sparkman
(Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
HARVEST- The Bob Jones volleyball team stayed on the road Tuesday night as they opened Area 8 play at Sparkman with a 3-0 match victory. The scores were 25-20, 25-23, and 25-23. The top-ranked Patriots first home game is next Tuesday against Hoover and the first home area game is Thursday, Sept. 11 against Hazel Green.
The wins over Sparkman came with a much different lineup than Coach April Marsh envisioned in her quest to repeat as state champions. Injuries have sidelined the team’s All-State hitter Jeneva Salter and another returning front line player, Isabelle Barnes.
Salter is recovering from knee surgery in late July. She was cleared to play last week but has been unable to practice with the team. Barnes suffered an ankle injury last weekend in action at the Boddie Tournament in Bessemer and is in a walking boot.
“I am going to try to ease Jeneva back in the lineup after she gets some practice time,” Marsh said. “It won’t take her long to get back in form, she is a good athlete. We moved Olivia Willoughby to the middle when Isabelle went down.”
“We have a lot of depth on this team and we focus only on what we players we have that day. Our kids played very well. Our team is going to improve and we will have depth for later on this season.”
With the big hitters missing, Haley Hop took over at the main striker position and responded with 22 kills, 11 digs, and 2 aces.
“Haley is a power hitter and is a great asset to the team. She is solid on defense and we need her to step up right now, ” Marsh said.
Hop had the winning kill in game two as Bob Jones rallied from deficits of 9-14 and 18-22 to close out the game on a 7-1 points run.
“I take it as an honor that they trust me to step up and get the kills and passes when we need them and be the leader,” Hop said. “We have so many people that can step up and get the job done not matter what the situation.”
“We are a comeback team,” Hop said. “It’s early this season but if we get down we don’t give up. That is our best quality and we need it right now with so many injuries.”
Erin Shockey, another All-State player at setter had 33 assists. Alex King also stepped up with 8 kills. Olivia Willoughby had 6 blocks.
