Benton had no problems with visiting Carmi-White County Tuesday night, starting the night with a dominating 25-6 win and closing with a 25-14 win in game two to improve to 6-2 on the season.
“The girls played pretty well,” Benton coach Tony Phelps said. “A lot of times a team will play down to its competition and we didn’t do that tonight. We played our game.”
Benton held a slim 3-2 lead in the first game before reeling off seven straight points to lead 10-3. Megan Conner started the run with a kill, with Morgan Corn picking up two kills and a block as well.
“Morgan played well,’ Phelps said. “She started well and had good numbers, and she only played in one game.”
Ahead 14-5, a 10-point run had the Rangerettes quickly on the verge of the win, leading 24-5.
Natalie Taylor served out the run, picking up an ace along the way. Corn added two more blocks and two more kills, with Molly Whaley and Sammi Bybee adding perfect dinks for points.
Sydney Potts was also key in the 10-point run, making three diving plays for good digs.
“I told Coach Barnfield that she was probably the only one that could have got to those balls,” said Phelps. “She is so long and quick, she was able to get to and make those shots.”
A long Carmi serve ended the match.
Carmi took its only lead of the night, 2-1, in the second game of the match.
But, again, Benton answered.
A seven point run on Bybee’s serve gave the Rangerettes the lead for good, 8-2. Conner had a kill and a nice block that kept a point alive in the streak, Potts adding another kill.
Macy Shurtz came off the bench to score two points on serve, including an ace, as Benton took a 17-5 lead.
A Makala Carney kill was followed by a Lindsay Hathcoat kill for a 19-7 lead, putting the match out of reach.
“I was pretty pleased with our play,” said Phelps. “We got to clear the bench tonight and that is always good. I thought Carney came off the bench and did well, too. She is only going to get better.”
Benton will play Pinckneyville at home Tuesday.
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Benton’s freshman volleyball team defeated Marion 25-17, 25-12 last Thursday evening to run its record to 3-0.
Emily Oxford was 8 for 8 serving with two aces, with Jaylyn Cozart going 5 for 5 serving with an ace to lead the way.
Allison Pearce was 18 for 19 setting with three assists and Kelcie Vaughn was 20 for 23 with six assists.
Ashtyn Ward had two blocks and Christy Hayden led the net effort, going 11 for 14 with five kills. Sami Minor was 8 for 9 with six kills as well.
