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Big tests this week for Wave volleyball
by GENE PHELPS / NEMS Daily Journal
Oct 05, 2010 | 716 views | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print
It's exam week at Tupelo High School and volleyball coach Clint Jordan knows his players are focused on their grades.

"That's good," he said.

However, his Lady Wave has to win three matches this week to defend its Class III state championship. The quarterfinals are scheduled for 5 p.m. today when Tupelo (32-5) travels to Clinton (19-17).

"I'm telling them that I need just an hour and a half of volleyball focus (Tuesday)," he said, then smiled.

Tupelo defeated Southaven 3-0 Saturday in the opening round while Clinton beat Jackson Wingfield 3-1. Earlier this season, the Lady Wave took a 2-0 decision from the Lady Arrows in a tournament.

"They're good servers and passers," Jordan said of his opponent. "They're hard to defend because they can set anybody. They don't make a lot of service errors. You have to earn your points."

Tupelo will counter with its shot-blocking height. The Farmer sisters - 6-foot senior Rachel, 6-0 junior Sarah and 6-3 sophomore Hannah - have recorded 258 of the Wave's 363 blocks this season.

Another senior, libero Margaret Mary Bridges, leads the team in digs, averaging 4.5 per game. She's also the team's top server with 44 aces. Senior Kristina Kosogorova is second with 37.

The winner of today's match will advance to the semifinals to play the DeSoto Central-Madison Central winner.

Lafayette at home

In the Class I quarterfinals, Lafayette (15-6) hosts Ackerman (17-6) at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Commodores beat their opponent 2-0 in the Tupelo Volleyfest.

"I know they're solid defensively," Lafayette coach Rachel Wenzel said. "They've played some pretty good competition."

Lafayette defeated Caledonia 3-0 Saturday in the first round while Ackerman advanced with a 3-0 win against St. Andrews Episcopal.

Shaquilla Isom, a middle hitter, leads Lafayette with 119 kills while libero Charlotte Rafnson is the team's digs leader.

Lafayette entered the postseason after a 2-0 win against Class III quarterfinalist Tupelo.

"We wanted to see how far we've come as a team," Wenzel said. "It was fun to see our progression against a quality team."

Contact Gene Phelps at 678-1593 or gene.phelps@djournal.com
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