Contributed Report

Marengo’s JV Volleyball team finished 2nd at the junior varsity state tournament at Kingwood Christian on Saturday, October 22nd, 2005.

The Lady Horns began the day with Faith Academy. This 9:30 a.m. match proved to be too early for the Horns. They fell to Faith 25-19&25-11. This loss put Marengo into the loser’s bracket and a long fight ahead to recover to make the finals.

Marengo would then face the Jackson Eagles in the early afternoon match up. The Horns jumped out on the Eagles winning the first game 25-9. The Eagles fought hard but only to lose the second game to Marengo 25-22. Kills were made by Abbey Huckabee, Chelsea Etheridge, Kaleigh Robison, Christina Allen, Shelby Mathis&AmberWalker. Those with ace serves were Robison with one, Allen&Etheridge with 2 each, and Huckabee with 5 and Walker with 6.

After a three-match waiting period was discovered, the “Bama” Horn players took a break to watch the Crimson Tide defeat rival Tennessee.

They would then begin the five-games-straight to attempt to win state. Kingwood Christian hoped the home court advantage would hold off the Horns’ stampede to the finals, but this soon gave way. Marengo defeated Kingwood 25-20, 14-25 and 15-12. Shelby Mathis blocked spikes, while Walker and Huckabee had four aces each, Etheridge finished with two and Allen notched one. Robison played great defensively with several digs.

With only a few minutes between matches, Marengo would then move on to an old softball rival: Macon East. As a chance to return a favor, Marengo knocked Macon East out of the tournament with 25-10 and 25-15 wins. Huckabee led the ‘Horns with eight aces, Allen had three, Shelby Mathis had two and Walker had one.

After sending Jackson, 3A Kingwood, and 3A Macon East home, the Horns moved onto take down 3A Cottage Hill.

Marengo’s preseason goal of winning state grew closer as they eliminated Cottage Hill 25-22 and 25-13. Shelby Mathis led the Longhorn service game with three aces, followed by Allen and Huckabee with two each and Robison with one. Kills were made by Huckabee, Etheridge, Robison, Walker, Allen and Mathis.

With Cottage Hill eliminated, Marengo moved to the championship round for a rematch with Faith Academy of Mobile. To win state, Marengo would have to defeat Faith in back-to-back matches.

The Horns seemed unstoppable after defeating Faith in the first match 25-18 and 25-14. Allen served five aces, Walker and Robison collected two and Etheridge and Huckabee recorded one each. Walker, Etheridge, Huckabee, Robison and Allen each contributed kills while Mathis and Etheridge added several great digs.

Despite a starting time after 10 p.m., Marengo fought hard in their next match, their seventh of the day and their fifth in a row. The entire team played well. They had left home at 6:00 a.m. and were obviously exhausted, but refused to lose without a fight. Faith took the first game of the match 25-19, but the Horns would not quit. The Lady Horns won the second game 25-23.

The third and deciding game was played to 15 and had to have been won by two points.

As the fans cheered, the Lady Horns played hard, diving on the floor, blocking, and serving hard. The points inched up on both sides as every player, parent and fan knew the winner would be the State Champs. Faith had been watching Marengo fight through the loser’s bracket for five games, but they proved to have more energy as midnight approached. Faith took the match 17-15. Faith players and fans cheered, while the heartbroken Horns fell to exhaustion. The devoted Marengo fans cheered for the Horns to hold their heads high.

They had defeated five 3-A schools to reach that point.

All of the players for Marengo are to be congratulated for a job well done. Excellent team effort took them to the state Runner-Up. Christina Allen of Marengo was awarded “State All Tournament” and Amber Walker was voted the “JV State Most Valuable Player” award.

Team members are: Chelsea Etheridge, Abbey Huckabee, Christina Allen, Amber Walker, Kaleigh Robison, Shelby Mathis, Taylor Hunnicutt, Shelby Richardson,&Destiny Huckabee.

Coaches are Rhonda Harris and Leigh Akins. Hook’em Horns!