Getting revenge against a rival is sweet, particularly when that revenge comes along with a trophy.
The Lady Hilltoppers had to come out of the loser’s bracket and beat rival Dobyns-Bennett twice to secure the championship.
That was the case for Science Hill’s volleyball last week in Viking Hall. The Lady Hilltoppers were knocked into the loser’s bracket by Dobyns-Bennett, which swept Science Hill on Tuesday, only to emerge and knock off the Lady Indians twice to win the double-elimination District 1-AAA volleyball tournament.
Science Hill bounced back from the loss to D-B by sweeping Tennessee High and Daniel Boone to earn a spot in the championship match against the undefeated Lady Indians. The Lady Hilltoppers pulled out a dramatic five-set win on Thursday evening to force the “if necessary” match on Friday. The next night, it took Science Hill just four sets to seal the title.
Science Hill’s Loren Grindstaff was named tournament MVP.
On the football field, Science Hill and Daniel Boone both hit the road last Friday night and scored a pair of impressive road victories.
The Hilltoppers (6-2, 3-1) bounced back from a loss to Farragut with a 28-14 victory over Morristown West last Friday. Jaxon Diamond accounted for nearly 300 yards of total offense to lead Science Hill’s offensive attack. Diamond ran for a score and threw for another while Baylor Brock and Cade Fleeman each added a rushing touchdown.
Over in Church Hill, the Trailblazers (3-3, 2-1) survived a challenge from an improved Volunteer squad, but Brennan Blair rushed for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns to help get Boone over the hump. Boone quarterback Jackson Jenkins added 168 yards passing and a score for the ‘Blazers.
In soccer action, the Lady Hilltoppers broke open a close match with three quick goals in the second half to dispatch the rival Lady Indians of Dobyns-Bennett last Thursday night in Kingsport. Science Hill’s 4-0 victory secured the regular-season conference title.
Katie Wilson put Science Hill ahead 1-0 with a goal in the first half, but the result was very much in doubt as the second half got underway. The Lady ‘Toppers finally broke through when Megan Burleson found the back of the net to double the advantage, and Sophia Youngman and Hannah Dawson followed with a quick 1-2 punch that put the game away.
Youngman scored her goal about three minutes after Burleson’s momentum-changing score, and Dawson scored the clincher about a minute after Youngman’s tally.
Science Hill wrapped up a strong regular season with a 13-2-1 overall record, which included a perfect 6-0 mark in district games. The Lady Hilltoppers will look to keep things rolling in the upcoming district tournament.
After qualifying as an individual for last week’s state golf tournament, Science Hill golfer John Cheek put together a pair of solid rounds to finish in a tie for fifth place.
Cheek followed up a first-round 74 by firing a 1-under round of 71 on the final day of the state tournament to move into the top five. Cheek started fast in the second round by recording birdies on two of his first three holes at WillowBrook Golf Club in Manchester. His two-day total of 145 was 14 shots off the blistering pace set by medalist Lance Simpson of Farragut, who finished 13-under.
