The Chillicothe Lady Hornets volleyball team was on the road Tuesday night at Lawson in a matchup that feature two of the top teams in the area. Chillicothe entered the game 10-3, but Lawson sported an even more sparkling record at 16-0-2.
The Lady Hornets started fast in the first set racing out to an early lead 7-3 behind the play of middle hitter Emerson Staton. Lawson steadily clawed back to tie the set at 15 each and then took a lead at 16-15. The set stayed tight approaching the final points at 20-20 but Chillicothe executed down the stretch, relying on Lyla Beetsma, to win the opener 25-22.
Chillicothe then opened an early lead in the 2nd with pinpoint serving from Ava Leamer. In a very similar flow of the first set, Lawson tied the set up at 15-15 after trailing by as many as four points in the early going. Chillicothe once again made their all-state outside hitter Beetsma a focal point, with sets from Carman Woodworth Chillicothe surged away for a 25-21 victory.
Lawson had a response in the 3rd set. In this instance it was the home team who got out to the early lead. The Lady Hornets tracked down the Lady Cardinals after trailing 19-15, to tie the set at 20 apiece. Lawson showed resilience, intent on not suffering their first defeat of the season, the Lady Cardinals forced a 4th set winning 25-23.
The 4th set followed the trend of the 3rd set, with Lawson ahead early. Seemingly the Lady Cardinals had grabbed all the momentum, but Chillicothe made another run and this time they went right on by, and never looked back, earning a signature victory. After trailing by as many as five in the set, Chillicothe ultimately won 25-21.
The Lady Hornets seniors Staton, Beetsma, Leamer and Woodworth were excellent in victory as they have been all season. Chillicothe is now 11-3 and will host Lafayette on Thursday.