Claws came out on both ends when the Smithville Lady Tigers played their season opener against the Thrall Lady Tigers on Tuesday, Aug. 10 away from home.
Smithville battled its tough opponent in all three games, falling 19-25, 21-25 and 22-25.
“They (the Thrall Lady Tigers) have an excellent middle blocker who reads the sets very well and puts it away when she attacks,” said head coach Kimberly Paisley. “They work very well together as a team and have played together longer, where we have a very new team and need to learn each other and build together.”
Smithville’s Lindsay Carver, who was on the junior varsity team last year, was a one-man team, making a total of 14 kills. Trina Deyo followed her with four kills, along with eight assists.
Six-foot-two Madison Hannusch was able get in five blocks while Audrei Rogers had four.
As for aces, Taylor Weldon and Natasha Brister each made one.

Smithville Tournament
The Smithville Lady Tigers saw much improvement during the Smithville Tournament last Thursday and Friday, which Thrall ended up winning in the championship game against Shiner.
“We didn’t win the consolation match against Luling, but we went three games, losing two to three,” Paisley said. “This match, as well as our pool play games, was very close. We would win games by two to three or lose games by two to three.”
Paisley said that the biggest obstacle the Lady Tigers need to overcome is finishing a game.
“We need to learn how to finish,” she said. “We are right there, and it’s only the second week of the season. Each game is about getting better and playing as a team.”
The Lady Tigers will play in the Shiner Tournament today (Thursday) to Saturday.