Tyler Consolidated High School’s varsity volleyball team is learning as they go, grabbing much anticipated wins and taking a few losses on the chin. Through it all, they persist, with their eyes and hopes looking ahead to the post season.

On Sept. 15, the Tyler Consolidated High School volleyball team improved their LKC record to 3-0 with a win against the visiting St. Marys Lady Blue Devils. The Knights won in consecutive games by score of 25-17, 25-16, 25-18. The junior varsity also raised their overall record to 3-0 with straights win of 25-13, 25-22.

On Saturday, the varsity squad participated in the Cabell Midland Invitational Tournament, where each match consists of only two games. The first match was against the host team, led by two Division-I recruits. The Knights never recovered from a slow start and lost game one 25-16 and the second game 25-9.

“I thought we failed to perform to our ability, but then again, Cabell has a phenomenal team this year and everyone struggled with them,” said head coach of the Silver, Richard Summers.

The second match of the day was against perennial power Wirt County. It appeared to be all Knights as they jumped out to an 18-8 lead but could not hold the lead and lost 25-23. Game two was much the same with Consolidated racing out to an 8-1 lead, but ultimately losing 25-23 again.

“I have been coaching volleyball many years and I have never experienced losing a lead as big as 18-8,” said Summers. ” I can only hope it was a learning experience.”

The third match was against a strong Greenbrier East team. The Knights took game one 25-16 and appeared to be on the way to a win the game two with a 20-15 lead, but Greenbrier rallied for the win, 25-22. The final match was against perennial state contender Phillip Barbour High School. The Knights defeated the Colts 25-19 in game one and also took game two 25-15.

The Lady Knight season record now stands at 11-5-1.

Overall, Summers seemed pleased. “It is a very strong tournament and we went there to get better,” he said. “I think we got better. We are still a young team and for them to play this caliber of competition can only help.”

The Silver Knights host Liberty, Wirt County, and Robert C. Byrd in a quad match this Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m.