Lady Wildcats finish 1st in Pool Play

The Lady Wildcats traveled to Lebanon, TN for the weekend to participate in the Cumberland University Middle School tournament for the first time. After having success on Friday evening, they knew Saturday's pool play was going to be a challenge. But, the Lady Wildcats met that challenge. They faced off with Carroll-Oakland in the first match and won in 2 sets with scores of 25-16 and 25-18. Next, they faced a strong opponent in Freedom Middle School. Wavery took a 5-0 lead and never gave Freedom Middle the opportunity to take it away in the first set of the match. The second set proved to be a tougher challenge for the Lady Wildcats with Freedom Middle taking the early lead. After the first complete rotation for both teams, Freedom Middle was out in front with a 12-8 lead and Waverly was having to come from behind. From there it was a swap of 2-point exchanges until the Lady Wildcats tied the set at 18. The battle to the finish went to the Lady Wildcats taking the set 25-22 and going 4-0 in pool play. 

On Sunday, August 14, the Lady Wildcats and 7 other teams began the single-elimination tournament. Waverly's opponent was Friendship Christian. Getting off to a slow start and falling behind 9-3, the Lady Wildcats knew they had their work cut out for them. Waverly began chipping away at the lead but fell to Friendship Christian in the first set 25-21. The Lady Wildcats got their motors going in the second set and after only three turns at serve, jumped out to a commanding 15-5 lead. Waverly went on to take the set 25-19. The match went to the third deciding set. After suffering the loss of one of their teammates late in the second set with a sprained ankle, the Lady Wildcats seemed a little deflated to start the third set and fell behind 7-2. When everyone thought Friendship Christian was going to take an easy victory from the Lady Wildcats, they were just not ready to leave the court without a fight. Midway through the third set, the score was 10-6 in favor of Friendship Christian. After a few more turns at serve for both teams, the Lady Wildcats were tied with Friendship Christian at 13-13. Waverly then lost the rally giving the serve back to Friendship Christian who went on to take the set 15-13. The Lady Wildcats played very hard throughout the tournament and had lots of fans in the stands for support.