Young Lady Dragons find their rhythm
Clinton High School’s young volleyball team endured a few growing pains during the opening week of the 2026 season, but the Lady Dragons found their footing before the week was over.
Clinton, which has made three consecutive Region 2-AAA tournament appearances, got off to a slow start by dropping its first five matches.
Things took a positive turn, however, Friday night at the Showdown at the Sunsphere at the Knoxville Convention Center in downtown Knoxville.
The Lady Dragons (3-5 overall, 0-2 in District 3-AAA) dropped their first match of the event, which featured some of the top teams from Tennessee and throughout the Southeast.
But Clinton responded by closing the tournament with three consecutive victories.
The Lady Dragons picked up their first win of the season with a 25-18, 25-11 sweep of St. Cecilia. Clinton also outlasted South Greene in three sets before knocking off Tennessee High of Bristol in a thriller, 24-26, 25-17, 16-14.
Clinton’s lone tournament loss came Friday against Webb School of Knoxville, 25-13, 25-23.
“We only lost one match down there, and we had that dramatic win over Tennessee High when we won the third set, 16-14,” CHS Coach Lorri Johnson said. “We’re getting better.
“Every time we play is an opportunity for us to grow and learn about volleyball. Every time we play, it’s a chance to get better.”
In the finale against the Lady Vikings, the Lady Dragons featured a balanced hitting attack as Anslee Carmichael and Alaina Stoudenmaier had seven kills apiece. Maggie Moke added six kills and a block.
Carmichael also had nine digs and three blocks, while Stoudenmaier finished with 13 assists, six digs and a block. Brooke Pebly had eight blocks, while Jailie Rodd had 13 assists and seven digs.
Against South Greene, Carmichael had eight kills, three aces and a block, while McGhee came up with six kills and two blocks. Moke added six kills, and Rodd finished with 11 assists and eight digs.
Maggie Turbyville had eight digs, while Hanna Harvey added six.