VOLLEYBALL: Lady Mustangs tame Cole in four sets

Nixon-Smiley Lady Mustangs improved their record to 19-10 overall, and more importantly, 3-1 in district play, with a four-set victory on the road over the Cole Lady Cougars on Tuesday, Sept. 21.

The Stang gang netted victories in the first two sets, 25-20 and 25-18, but dropped the third by a 14-25 score. Unfettered, Nixon-Smiley won a close fourth set, 25-23, to claim the win and second place in the district.

Nixon-Smiley also would win a three-set victory over Marion at home on Friday, Sept. 17.

The first game of the match was the toughest for Nixon-Smiley as the Lady Bulldogs hung around, but the Lady Mustangs took the first set by a 27-25 score. From that point, Nixon-Smiley was able to exploit weaknesses in the Marion lineup to take the next two sets, 25-14 and 25-6.

Greenlee Houseton led the Lady Mustangs with five kills and four of the team’s five blocks, while Natalee Mendez had two serving aces. Kaidence Pecina had 19 digs and Christiana Ramirez dished out 17 assists for Nixon-Smiley.

The Lady Mustangs will be on the road at Stockdale at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24.