Lady Indians finish Rocky Top Tournament in Silver Bracket as runner-up

The #4-ranked Lady Indians went 1-3 on Saturday to close out their time at the Rocky Top Tournament in Tennessee. The final result was a Runner-Up finish.

TFS lost to Woodmont, Jasper, and Lafayette, two of whom were top-5 ranked teams. The girls added a win against Chattahoochee.

According to coaches, the opening set against Woodmont was the best 'first set of the day' they have played this season. Sofia Livianos had eight kills and Rebecca Heyl added five. Corinne Swinton and Margalida Amengual Sanchez had two kills apiece. Lily Smith added one as well. Laura Ruiz Rendon was ready to dive for balls. TFS dropped the match 24-26, 15-25.

The Lady Indians lost to Jasper 22-25, 11-25 in straight sets. Every player on the net delivered strong and well-placed hits. Livianos had five kills, Heyl and Smith had four each, and Swinton added three.

"I am very proud of the determination they showed from start to finish," says coach Matt Heyl.

In the Silver Bracket opener, Tallulah beat Chattahoochee 25-27, 25-16, 15-12 in a great matchup. Amengual Sanchez had 36 assists in the match, and TFS put up a wild 29 kills. Heyl led with 13 kills, and Livianos and Swinton added ten and eight, respectively. Smith had five. 

"Once the second set began, we found our groove and began chasing down lose balls and swinging more aggressively at the net," adds Heyl. "We maintained that energy and hustle for the second and third sets to pull out a win."

In the finale against Lafayette, TFS lost a tight battle 26-28, 19-25.

"The ladies played this game with their mind and body," states Heyl. "Having to read a very competitive opponent, we were just a little off in our touches and attacks."

Livianos had 10 kills and Swinton had nine. Heyl had five and Shelby Whisnant two. Amengual Sanchez added 19 assists. 

"Although we were tired, we gave it all we had left in the final game," says Heyl.

TFS is now 21-8 overall on the season.