Pitctured is the 2019 Tyler Consolidated Silver Knights volleyball team.

The reigning LKC Volleyball Champions ran onto the floor this past Wednesday, Sept. 4, as the Knights Volleyball team took on Clay Battelle in their season opener. Despite having many new faces on the floor, it didn’t take the Knights long to show they are once again a team with high expectations for the season. In the first set the Knights jumped out to an early lead and finished set one with a 25-12 win. The second set was closer, but the Knights never trailed and closed out the match with a 25-19 win. Leading the way for the Knights were Regan Smith, with 5 kills, 1 block, 5 digs, 5 points, and 12 assists; Caleigh Phillips, with 6 kills, 4 digs, 8 points, and 6 assists; Madison DeVaughn with 8 digs, 3 points; Victoria Hood, with 3 kills, and Sadie Nichols, with 7 digs, 6 points.

The Knights were then scheduled to play Valley High School but in an odd turn of events Valley had to cancel their season. This put the Knights against The Linsly School in the final match of the night. The Silver and Black took control early and took the first set 25-23. However, sets two and three went to Linsly who rode the efforts of standout player Charlie Allison to win 25-21 and 25-16.

” I was very encouraged with what I saw,” said Coach Summers. “I thought Regan Smith and Caleigh Phillips did a great job running the offense in their first time in the setting positions, and then they also worked as hitters in the opposite rotations. I felt the team chemistry was very good for this early in the year.”

On Saturday the Knights traveled to Oak Glen High School to take on Bellaire St. Johns, Weirton Madonna, and Oak Glen. In the first match the Knights defeated St. Johns in quick sets 25-9, 25-7. The second match against Madonna was won by the Knights by scores of 25-11, 24-26, 25-11. “In the second set, we sort of lost focus,” said Summers. ” Madonna is much improved and certainly were looking forward to this match and it showed.”

In the final match of pool play the Knight found themselves up against the top team in AA and future WVU player Skye Stokes. In front of a loud and packed house the Knights hung with the Golden Bears, but were never able to take the lead in either set. Oak Glen would win in two sets by scores of 25-17, 25-10. “Oak Glen is quite good and the Stokes girl is as good as I’ve ever seen in high school. I felt we were star struck and honestly should have played better”, said Summers.

The Knights finished second in their pool and advanced to tournament play again another AA title contender Philip Barbour. The veteran team would prove to be too much with sets one and two going to Philip Barbour by scores of 25-16, 25-10.

The Silver and Black will host Williamstown on Tuesday in an LKC Matchup, and then travel to St. Marys on Thursday. Both matches are JV/Varsity, with the JV match beginning at 6:00.