Lady Trojans eliminated after back-to-back losses

MURFREESBORO -- Prior to entering the 2009 TSSAA State Volleyball Tournament, the DHS squad had already achieved a couple of milestones.

The Lady Trojans won the regular season district title with an unblemished 14-0 record. The squad also captured the Region 7 crown before blistering past Fairley in a sectional contest to secure a spot at the big dance at the Murphy Center on the campus of MTSU.

Though it may not be of any consolation to the team today, the above-mentioned accomplishments is what the squad will, for all practical purposes, be remembered for.

In its first trip to the big dance in the history of the program, Dyersburg gained valuable experience for the years to come, and learned a very important lesson -- the teams in East Tennessee play at a much higher level than those in West Tennessee.

The Lady Trojans made a quick exit at the state tourney after dropping back-to-back contests. The squad first fell to a talented Chattanooga Christian team in three sets, 25-8, 25-16 and 25-18. To keep its tournament life alive, Dyersburg faced an equally impressive Stone Memorial squad with the same results, falling 25-18, 25-20 and 25-20.

"I think the girls were a little overwhelmed and very nervous. I could see it in their faces from the start," said Lady Trojan coach Sarah Morris. "We don't see that type of volleyball in West Tennessee. The speed was so much faster than what we were used to and we just never got going."

Against Chattanooga Christian, the Lady Trojans found themselves in an 11-0 hole early in the match, and while the effort was certainly there, the points never came as the squad dropped the opening set, 25-8.

The second set mirrored the first as Chattanooga opened up a 10-0 lead. Not accustomed to playing from behind, Dyersburg struggled to find any sort of rhythm, ultimately falling 25-16.

By the time the squad began to settle down it was too late, as Dyersburg fell to the loser's bracket after dropping the third set, 25-18.

"I told the girls that we were still in the tournament, but the next game was do or die and they knew we had to have it," said Morris. "I was hoping the loss would kind of shock us out of the stupor we were in."

Knowing they had to have it was one thing, unfortunately Stone Memorial was facing elimination as well and they too were facing a lose and go home, or win and advance situation.

The Lady Trojans played well in the second match, but Stone Memorial played better, ultimately ending Dyersburg's fantastic season in three straight sets.

"This was a great learning experience for our team. Yes, we are very disappointed, but we got to see some things that we need to work on to be able to play at a higher level," said Morris. "Now, we know what to expect when we get here, but I am so proud of these girls for what they have accomplished this season. Nobody expected us to be here, and while it didn't turn out the way we wanted, it gave us something to build on next year.

Dyersburg ends the season with an overall record of 24-9.