Lady Hilltoppers breeze past TN High in district test

JOHNSON CITY — If you're interested in seeing the Science Hill volleyball team play this season, punctuality would be suggested. The host Hilltoppers needed less than an hour to sweep Tennessee High, 25-7, 25-16, 25-10, on Tuesday night. Science Hill, which more than held its own this past weekend with some stiff competition, improved to 2-0 in District 1-AAA and 11-1 overall. Science Hill has only dropped one set in its 11 victories, and that was to a Lovett (Ga.) team that has the No. 1-ranked sophomore hitter in the country. Science Hill coach Laura Cook said her team has been a pleasure to coach – and watch. "They're just a team that gets it," she said. "They love the game. They love practice. They love playing. They love competing. They love doing it together as a group. "I'm just really proud of this group and how they have embraced the process of getting in there and getting after it." The 'Toppers have size, power, defensive skill, experience and an adept setter in Lucy O'Daniel. Bryleigh Scott is 6-foot-2, and Clara McBride (6-1), Chloe Conner (6-1) and Sofia Pavlovich (5-11) are also threatening presences at the net. Conner led the way with 13 kills against the Vikings (0-2, 1-9). Scott, McBride and Lizzie Clark added five apiece. O'Daniel tallied 29 assists and 10 digs. Isa Dau led the way with 12 digs. "Lucy does a good job distributing to all of our hitters, and they all want the ball," Cook said. "But they're just as happy with the person next to 'em getting the kill. And defensively in the back row, they've really stepped up." Science Hill jumped out to a 19-4 lead in the opening set. The Hilltoppers didn't appear to necessarily let up in the second set, but the Vikings became decidedly more competitive. A kill from senior Zoey Phillips cut Science Hill's lead to 16-12. Tennessee High coach Carley Keeny was impressed with her players' performance after getting hit with a haymaker in the opening set. Basically, she told her team to relax after the first set. "I just asked them to compete," she said. "We know they're good. Obviously, they've made it to the state tournament. I've coached a lot of their girls in travel. There's no hiding that they're good. "So, to not get flustered, and to show them what we can do – I think a lot of times we come in here and we forget who we are, and I've got a lot of big hitters, too. So, I just reminded them of that." Phillips led the Vikings with five kills. Emma Jones finished with six assists. Emily Curtin tallied a team-high 10 digs. "We started picking up stuff in the back in the second set that we weren't doing in the first set," Keene said. "Yeah, I'm super proud. I am not upset with this at all, especially the second set – with how they changed from the first." Complacency looks like it could be a threat for the 'Toppers, especially against area teams. But Cook doesn't appear to see that as a legitimate threat. "It doesn't matter if we're in a tournament on the weekend or if we're on a weeknight conference game or non-conference," Cook said, "they enjoy just getting out here and playing together." Tennessee High will host West Ridge on Thursday. Daniel Boone will visit Science Hill on Thursday.