Tigerettes remain unbeaten in district
HOLLAND — It was business as usual Tuesday night for the Thrall Tigerettes as they swept the Holland Hornets 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 to remain unbeaten in District 26-2A play. The Tigerettes, now 22-7 on the season and 3-0 in district play, will now conclude the first half of district play on Saturday when they host the Thorndale Lady Dogs 8-25, 3-0.
“It was a tough match,” Thrall Coach Bethany Grissom said, after the match. “Holland really came out to play in front of their home crowd.
And, their student section was loud.
The Tigerettes got off to a slow start in the first set, but once they settled in, Thrall was unstoppable.
Melaina Grissom and Brynn Leschber maintained control of the net for the Tigerettes, and Emily Holybee provided pinpoint sets offensively. Holland made a brief run midway through the opening set but could get no closer than five.
Holland had the hot hand early in the second set, leading by as many as four. The Lady Hornets managed to get around the ordinarily stifling Tigerette defense and looked as if they had the upper hand. But, Thrall wouldn’t quit and rallied to take the second set. Thrall led much of the way in the final set, and Holland never seriously challenged in falling in three sets.
“This was a good match for us, in terms of atmosphere,” Coach Grissom said. “Their student section really got into the match, and it gave us good experience, physically and mentally.
It will help us get ready for the playoff atmosphere.”
Saturday’s match-up with the district co-leading Lady Dogs will be a renewal of the two schools’ long-time rivalry. Thorndale struggled through the non-district portion of their schedule, but appear to be moving in the right direction after winning their last four matches entering Saturday’s match.
For Thorndale to unseat the defending district champions, the Lady Dogs will have to do something that no district team has done since 2019, beat the Tigerettes.
“We know that they will come in here on Saturday ready to play,” said Coach Grissom. “Our rivalry is a good one, and both teams get up to play each other. We fully expect they will play their best match of the year against us, and we’ll have to be ready if we intend to stay on the top of the district standings going into the second half of district.”
