By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

CENTRE – Consistency is something the Cherokee County Lady Warriors have struggled with so far this volleyball season.
That struggle reared its head again on Monday evening against area rival Guntersville.

The Lady Warriors built a five-point advantage early in the first set only to see Guntersville rally to win 25-17. In the second set, the Lady Warriors jumped out to a 9-3 advantage but again faltered down the stretch in a 25-23 loss.

In the third set, the Lady Wildcats jumped out to an 11-6 advantage. Cherokee County rallied and took the lead late at 19-17 but let their lead slip again in a 25-20 decision.

“We’ll go on a run, then we’ll give up a run. That’s something we’ve got to stop,” Lady Warrior head coach Tiffany Rieger said. “We can’t just put a band aid over something. You’ve got to stop it from bleeding. We haven’t been doing that this year. That’s a mental thing.”

One positive Rieger did see was “more fight overall this time” than the last time the Lady Warriors (16-8) played Guntersville. The Lady Wildcats also swept that match back on Sept. 1.

“When we were there, I feel like we fought pretty well the first set but then kind of tapered off. This time, I saw fire in them all three sets,” Rieger said. “We had opportunities to finish sets, but we didn’t do it. Again, I feel like that’s mental.”

Ava Haygood led the Lady Warriors on Monday with seven kills, four digs, two blocks and an ace. Mattie Green collected eight assists, four kills, nine digs, two blocks and an ace. Taniya Fife delivered four kills, three digs, two blocks and two aces. Jolie Alexander added three kills, three blocks, two digs, an ace and an assist.

Sydni Frost managed 10 assists and eight digs. Harleigh Henry had two blocks, a kill and a dig. Anna Morris finished with a dig and a block.

“Things haven’t been clicking for us this year,” Rieger said. “We only had three starters come back (from last year). Two of those are playing new positions. It’s just taken us some getting used to. We’ve moved people around a couple of different times trying some new things. We’re just trying to find what works.”

The Lady Warriors travel to Sardis on Tuesday for a tri-match with Westbrook Christian.