South Ripley Boys' Varsity Soccer Kicks Off
SR Boys' Varsity Soccer gets underway at home

Gary Franklin - Sports Writer

The SR Boy's Varsity Soccer Team got their fall season underway Friday evening, August 19. The game was held at home against The Christian Academy Co-ed Soccer Team of the New Albany area The field was in near perfect condition following the rain the night before.

Christian Academy, (CA), was awarded the ball to start the game. The center official blew his whistle and CA drove the ball down field. The Raider defenders pursued and battled with CA until they had taken possession. SR put together a drive, moving the ball toward mid field and their goal. CA did not relent, and regained possession. With possessions going back and forth, neither of the teams were able to put a drive together for a score during the first few minutes of the contest.

South Ripley scored the first goal of the game, and first point of the new season, off a kick by #10, Willie Kieltyk. The games score was South Ripley 1-CA 0. CA's offense moved quickly with a drive to their end of the field, The teams battled back and forth until SR again put together a drive to score a second point. The second point scored in the game was off the foot of #11, Nathan Hensley. With the score, South Ripley 2 and 0 for Christian Academy, again CA drove toward the Raider goal.

Raider goalie, Ryan Underwood stopped the forward progress of the ball and kicked away, not only the ball, but also his shoe as it came off. The play continued and contenders battled back and forth for possession with altering control of the ball until again SR mounted a drive and a score. Point number three for the Raiders was off the scoring drive of #7, Mitch Krall.

With the score SR 3 to 0, only seconds passed when Raider #3, Jared May, stole the ball at mid field and drove it along the out of bounds line, setting his defender up to gain an advantage. May broke for the goal. Teammate Kieltyk rushed to get into position and May hit him with a pass. Willie finished the drive with another Raider score. In the final minutes of the first half the CA goalie caught a kick attempt by SR, and after CA drove the ball to their end, SR goalie Ryan Underwood caught a kick attempt of a CA player.

The time for the first half of play expired with the score SR 4 to CA 0. Second half scoring was two by CA and one more for SR off a goal shot by Krall. Final score was 5 to 2 and the Raiders earned a victory.

Lady Raider and Lady Eagle volleyball teams face off

Gary Franklin - Sports Writer

The South Ripley Lady Raider volleyball team opened their season at home against the Lady Eagles of JCD on Friday evening, August 19. Officials for the event were Jeff Davidson and Brian Humphrey. The Varsity squads were introduced by SRES Principal Mark Collier. Tyler Hensley, a junior at SR sang The National Anthem.

Game one of a best three of five match began with Abbey Lemen's serve; (below left photo), and the Raiders scored. Later in the match, following many alternating servers and score changes, the Lady Raiders led the game. With a score of 15-10, the five point lead was the biggest of the match at that time.

JCD Lady Eagle, Tiffany Downey, went to the serve line with the score 20-17. She continued serving to a tie at 20 to 20. SR Coach Jett called time-out. Downey's serve following the time-out, gave JCD their first lead at 21-20. Her next serve went long, and again the game was tied.

The game seesawed back and forth to a score of 24-23, South Ripley in the lead. JCD Coach Sebastian called a time-out. Following the time out the game was again tied by the Eagles. The next score was by SR, then a tie at 25 by JCD. Raider Coach Jett called time-out.

Following the time-out, the Raiders scored for a 26 to 25 lead. The Eagles again tied the game at 26. With Lady Eagle Emily Einhaus at the serving line, they were able to take the lead and game one with a score of 28 to 26.

GAME TWO began with JCD's Tiffany Downey serving to a three-one lead, but the Raiders would tie the game at three. The Lady Eagles amassed a five point edge at 12 to 7. At 16 to 12, as Raider Jana Lloyd served, the Raiders were able to tighten the game to 16-15. At JCD 16 and SR 15, JCD's coach called for a time-out.

Lloyd served, knotting the game at 16 following the time-out, but JCD regained the lead, back and forth the battle continued.

Later with SR leading 23-19, JCD's coach called for her second time-out. Scoring progressed to SR 24 and JCD 21. Raider Lemen served for game point and the Raiders were successful. With a win at 25-21, the match was even at one game apiece. Game Three : JCD 25-18, and Game Four : JCD 25-20. Eagles post a three game to one match victory.