LONDON — North Laurel didn’t win its season-opener against Pulaski County but the Lady Jaguars hung tough during their 3-1 loss to the Lady Maroons.
It looked as if North Laurel might cruise to the win after capturing a 25-19 victory in the first set, but the Lady Maroons answered with a hardfought 25-20 win in the second set.
Pulaski County took a 2-1 set advantage with a 25-17 victory in the third set before wrapping up the win with a 25-21 victory in the fourth set.
“We came out really strong tonight against a tough out-of-region opponent,” North Laurel coach James Hendrix said. “Coach McCollum is an excellent coach and I knew we were in for a tough matchup. Our serve and serve receive game was on point in the first set, and we closed out a back-and-forth set. We’ve struggled closing in the past, so I’m proud of the girls for that.
“We played from behind for most of the rest of the game, but the girls never quit,” he added. “I asked some young kids to come off the bench in big moments of the game and they answered the call well. We will put this one behind us, get back to work and get ready for Whitley on Monday.”
The Lady Jaguars will be back in action Monday in a key 13th Region showdown at home against defending 13th Region champion Whitley County.
