By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



MORRIS — The Mortimer Jordan Lady Blue Devils had a slow start to the 2007 volleyball season, but with one month left to go, they’re closing their campaign with a flourish. On Tuesday night, they swept Hayden in a home match to improve to 11-14 this year.

The Lady Blue Devils used outstanding serving and the dominating presence of Peyton Davis at the net to record a 25-7, 25-21 and 25-16 victory.

“I thought we played well,” Mortimer Jordan head coach Laura Rickman said. “But I was impressed with how hard Hayden fought back and played us tough the last two games after the first one went so quick in our favor.”

Mortimer Jordan took control early as Davis broke a 2-all tie with her first kill of the match. After building the lead to 12-4, Summer Martin helped increase the lead with five aces, during a 10-0 run by the Lady Devils.

Davis finished with three kills and Jordan’s Shawna Harris added two more. Hayden’s Terri Sharp had two kills, two aces and a block in the opening game.

In the second game, Hayden looked to be back in the match, as they raced to a 5-1 lead behind a series of Jordan mis-hits.

The Lady Devils wold then climb back into the game as Harris and Michelle Cheatwood scored on back-to-back kills to tie the game at 6-all.

Then Kayla Cox served up two aces and Martin added another during a 9-2 run to give Jordan a 15-8 lead.

Davis had a kill and two blocks as the Lady Devils extended the lead to 20-14.

Hayden would respond, when Sharp scored on a kill and Mara Conner scored on back-to-back aces, as the Lady Wildcats closed within two at 21-19.

The Lady Devils then regrouped and finished off the game at 25-21.

In the third game, Davis took over at the net, scoring on a block and two kills during a 8-3 run to open the game.

Ashley Merritt contributed three aces and Cox added two more during a 6-3 run to give Jordan a 14-6 advantage. Later, Davis would score on three more kills and Ashlee Porter would contribute three aces as the Lady Devils completed the sweep.

“We’ve talked about relaxing on the floor and how to play with confidence and think we did that tonight,” Rickman said. “We’re getting better each week and I think we can finish strong and end up with a winning record.”

Davis led the attack with 12 kills and four blocks. Merritt passed off 18 assists and added four aces. Martin had six aces, Porter added three aces and Cox added four more.

Hayden slipped to 14-6.