With just over three weeks left in the volleyball season, the Tyler Consolidated Lady Knights are making a late season push to peak at the right time. The team has amassed a season record of 23-9 on the season and are near the top in most every statewide leader board of the sport.

On Oct. 4, the team played host to Oak Glen, Weir and Magnolia in a Sectional seeding, quad competition. Facing Oak Glen in the first match, Tyler Consolidated played inspired ball in front of a large crowd. The Knights won in three games by scores of 25-18, 20-15, 25-16.

A key to the win was the blocking of Allison Wable, Abby Atkinson and Torrye Cline, who combined for 17 blocks. In match two, the Knights were paired against Weir in a rematch of last year’s sectional first round game. The Silver and Black came out on top 25-16, 25-15.

The final match of the evening was with Magnolia, who took game one 25-18. The Knights came roaring back to win game two 25-15 and game three 25-12.

“We wanted to play well,” said head coach of the Silver, Richard Summers, “But the seeding is not that important. Our Sectional has four of the best teams in the state and regardless of seeding whoever gets in a groove will advance.”

The Knights traveled to Ravenswood on Oct. 6 to take on a perennial contender in the LKC North. The Silver and Black won in three straight games with scores of 25-15, 25-23, 25-15.

On Oct. 8, it was off to the annual Fall Brawl Tournament hosted by Parkersburg South for the Lady Knights.

Tyler Consolidated’s pool included Hampshire County, Wirt, and Parkersburg High School. The Knights racked up enough wins over Hampshire and Wirt to advance out of pool play and into the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, the Ladies in Black faced Ritchie County. Having gained momentum throughout the day, Consolidated won both games 25-18, 25-20.

“Credit our seniors Sami Jones, Whitney Williams, and Keri Suter with that win,” said Summers. “They led us with their play and enthusiasm and simply were not going to be denied in this one.”

In the final match, the Lady Knights played perennial power Parkersburg High School. In a back and forth contest the Big Reds finally prevailed 25-23, 25-13.

Overall, Summers was pleased with the day. “We knew coming in that we wanted to play a lot of kids to get ready for post-season,” he noted. “Every player performed extremely well and that is very comforting.”

On Monday the Silver and Black hosted Magnolia at home and will host Ritchie County on Oct. 13.

Having qualified once again this year for the OVAC volleyball tournament, Tyler Consolidated will play once-beaten Monroe Central on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Steubenville High School.