Easley’s Catherine Barrington
Jeff Holt The Easley Progress
EASLEY — Sometimes, game film and scouting reports aren’t quite enough.
That’s what happened last week when Easley’s volleyball team defeated Greenwood in three-straight sets.
“I got some film on them (Easley) and they are going to do this, this and that,” said Greenwood Coach Julie McMahon, right after the loss. “And they (Easley) did this, this and that. We practiced and had a game plan accordingly.”
Now, Easley’s Claire Biven did step up with some non-returnable spikes and finished with a team-high 13 kills for the Green Wave.
For Easley, though, it seemed to be junior front-row hitter Catherine Barrington who jumpstarted the team. Barrington finished the night with nine kills and eight blocks.
“I try and be the best I can for the team,” said the 5-foot-9 Barrington. “I think we play great together because we are such great friends. I love this team.”
Barrington had three spikes in the first set for early leads of 12-6 and 17-10. She went out of the set and Greenwood quickly rallied back to 18-14. Barrington came back into the game and closed it out with a big block at the net and then a spike to close out a 25-18 Green Wave victory.
“She (Barrington) is amazing,” said EHS Coach Joy Stewart. “She plays with aggressiveness. She’s determined and she wants the ball, and she makes things happen.”
Easley rolled to a 25-10 win in the second set.
But in the third set, Greenwood took an 11-10 lead and Stewart quickly called a timeout for the Green Wave.
“I always tell them (her players) to dominate and play Easley volleyball,” said Coach Stewart. “If you don’t set the tone and dominate, you are playing the other team’s ball.”
About the improvement of her Green Wave team, Stewart said, “They have grown so much since last year. Sure, they get rattled, but they are able to come back as a group and a team. That’s what we talk about all the time. You have to do this together as a team. You can’t do it on your own.”
Last week, McMahon’s team was playing well. They were recently seeded 14th at the Batesville Leesville Tournament, and ended up finishing fifth out of 16 teams.
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.