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Published: Friday, Sep. 14, 2012 / Updated: Friday, Sep. 14, 2012 07:36 PM

Lady Jackets struggling on volleyball court

FORT MILL -- 

The past week hasn’t been the kindest for the Fort Mill volleyball team.

After an 11th place finish in the Hillcrest tournament where they won two matches, lost two and tied for a fifth one, the Lady Jackets had to come back home to face a Rock Hill squad and were pushed to the limit against Lancaster.

Fort Mill dropped its first two games against Lancaster, falling behind 2-0 with 25-19 and 25-21 losses, before rebounding and winning game three 25-23 and game four 25-21 to force a fifth game. In the fifth game, the Lady Jackets was able to get a comfortable lead and finish off the Lady Bruins 15-7.

Junior Liza Walker had 14 kills, seniors Hannah Kate Christopher and Amber Opel both had eight kills and junior Gabby Seymore had six aces and 19 digs in the win.

Earlier in the week, Fort Mill faced Rock Hill and lost 3-1 at home. In the first game, Fort Mill started strong going up 5-1, but allowed Rock Hill to rally to tie the game and then forge ahead.

Fort Mill struggled to keep up midway through, but finally rallied to tie at 19. After a Rock Hill timeout, the Lady Bearcats moved ahead again, this time for a 25-23 win.

In the second game, Rock Hill controlled the pace from the opening serve and stared things off by jumping out to a 5-2 lead. Miscommunication and mental mistakes had the Lady Jackets down 16-8 before too long and Rock Hill moved on to win 25-21.

Fort Mill seemed to snap out of its funk in the third game to pick up a 25-21 win. Rock Hill scored five straight points at one point to make it 8-3, but Fort Mill rallied to tie at nine. Every time the Lady Bearcats moved ahead, Fort Mill rallied and again tied the match at 17, before taking a small lead at 21-20 and pushing Rock Hill to the limit.

After the Lady Jackets’ third set win, Rock Hill seemed to refocus as well and both squads battled in the fourth game.

Fort Mill kept pace with the Lady Bearcats and jumped ahead at 12-9. Rock Hill rallied to tie it at 12. Both teams fought for an edge, but couldn’t find one as they nearly took things to extra serves tied at 23. However, Rock Hill pulled off two straight points to get the win in the fourth game and for the match.

“In the fourth set, we played not to lose,” said Fort Mill head coach Melanie Jaehnen.

Junior Liza Walker led Fort Mill with 11 kills and nine digs. Senior Caroline Lewis had 24 assists and Seymore had 19 digs.

The Lady Jackets are 4-4-1 on the season.