Lady Yoe start off 2024 season with win

The Cameron Lady Yoe volleyball team kicked off the season with a home contest against the Granger Lady Lions on Tuesday night.

Cameron was victorious, winning 3-1.

The Lady Yoe started strong, as the first five points went to Cameron. Cameron continued the momentum with a big spike by Kennedy Banks (11) for a 7-2 lead. Granger tried to rally but it was halted with a kill by Ava Magre (6) for 10-5 advantage. Cameron stayed ahead with a kill by Crystal Daniels (7) to advance their to 13-8, and continued their scoring run, going up 16-8 after an ace from Mackenzie Mahan (8).

Granger tried to march back but was stopped on a strike by Banks to make it a 19-13 lead. The Lady Yoe stayed aggressive with a kill by Bailey Anderle (9) to take a 23-17 lead and would win the first set 25-19.

The Lady Yoe started just as strong in the second set and scored the first six points. Granger mounted a comeback to close the gap to 6-4, but the Lady Yoe broke the drought with a kill from Saydi Wimmer (12) to increase the lead to 7-4.

Cameron kept the offense going and grew the lead to 10-4. The Lady Yoe continued to stay ahead with a kill by Magre for a 12-9 lead. Granger came back to tie the set at 13 and took the lead 14-13.

The set stayed even until Granger pulled ahead 19-15. Cameron stormed back with a run of their own and tied the set at 19, then retook the lead 20-19.

That was soon followed with a big kill from Banks to take a 21-19 lead. Banks put the team on her back with a clutch spike for a 24-20 advantage, and the Lady Yoe would win the second set 25-22.

The first point of the third set went to Granger. The Lady Yoe responded with two straight points including an ace by Wimmer to take a 2-1 lead and expanded their lead to 5-1.

Granger marched back to make the score 6-4, but the Lady Yoe broke the drought with a kill by Anderle for a 7-4 lead, which was followed with an ace by Banks to make the score 8-4. Granger came back once again and took the lead 9-8.

Cameron responded and tied the set at 10 on a kill by Wimmer, then added on with an ace by Liberty Alonzo (1) for an 11-10 lead. The Lady Yoe showed some defensive power with a big block by Kasara Brooks (4) and Daniels to make it a13-12 lead. The set stayed even until Granger took charge with a late scoring run to win the third set 25-19.

After the set, Coach Young reminded the team to stay relaxed, keep working together and stay focused and give the ball to whoever is the hot hand.

The first point of the fourth set went to Cameron following an illegal substitution by Granger. The Lady Lions responded with a 3-0 scoring run to go up 3-1.

Cameron answered back with a run of their own and tied the set at 3 with another fantastic ace by Wimmer and grew their lead to 6-3.

The Lady Yoe stayed ahead with an ace by Brooks for an 8-4 lead. Granger roared back and made the score 9-8.

Alonzo kept the team ahead with a big ace for an 11-9 advantage and expanded their lead to 14-11. Daniels also came up clutch with a big spike for a 15-12 lead, but Granger crawled back again and tied the set at 18.

Cameron retook the lead with an ace by Brooks for a 20-18 lead. Cameron lost the lead 21-20 but gained it back with great serving on another ace by Banks to take the lead at 22-21. Cameron finished strong and won the fourth set 25-23 aided by a clutch kill from Wimmer to win the match.

Up next for the Lady Yoe will be their hosted in-season tournament. They will play three games on Friday, Aug. 16. They play Milano at 9 a.m., Granger at 11 a.m., and Thorndale at 2 p.m. The games played on Saturday will be determined by the Friday outcomes.