500

Legendary Adena vollebyall coach reaches incredible win total

Coach Laura Smith's career record is 500-98

498, 499, 500! Adena volleyball coach Laura Smith entered Saturday's trip to the Worthington Kilbourne Invitational just three wins shy of 500 career wins, and her Lady Warriors swept through the field rather easily to record three wins to give the legendary coach the milestone. On the day, Adena beat Olentangy Liberty, Dublin Jerome, and Dublin Scioto - all in straight sets - to move their season record to 11-1. The win total of 500 is incredible enough by itself, but it is even more unthinkable when you consider it comes in just her 598th game. Smith stands at 500-98, and her Adena team enters Tuesday night at Southeastern looking to win a 49th straight SVC match, which would tie the league record set of course by Smith's Adena team's back in 1990-1993. If the Warriors take care of business Tuesday, the new record of 50-straight would be on the line at Unioto next Thursday night. Another history story to follow this season comes from what the Adena seniors are in the middle of completing. This year's seniors have never lost an SVC game. If the Warriors are able to win their last eight games, the senior class would become only the second senior class in SVC history to accomplish four straight gold ball seasons. The other to do it was the Adena football program from 1971-1974. Obviously, this is amazing in any sport; however, keep in mind in volleyball you have the double-round format meaning to accomplish this in volleyball compared to football you must win home and away every year. It has been well know that Smith has established herself as the greatest volleyball coach in SVC history for some time now, but with the milestone of 500 she now enters the conversation of great coach in SVC history period - any sport! Only Larry Jordan owns more wins. The legendary basketball coach has 568 wins - 535 of those at an SVC school which was of course Southeastern, meaning that if Adena volleyball continues on its recent pace, Smith could become the winningest coach in SVC history sometime around tournament time next season.

Saturday a success for rest of SVC as well Westfall, Huntington, Unioto, Piketon, and ZT all record wins

In other action, Westfall defeated Athens  in straight sets. The Lady Mustangs were led by Suzy Gantz with 13 kills and 17 digs. Haley Gabriel recorded 22 assists and 12 digs while Nicole Ratcliff continued her fine back row play with 13 digs. Unioto won a tri-match at Wheelersburg with the Lady Pirates and Washington Court House.  Katelyn Jinks had 29 kills and 7 blocks, while serving a perfect 22 for 22.  Micah Motes had 28 assists and Chelsea Ford 18 digs.  Kristin Vranicar contributed 9 kills and 5 blocks.   Huntington picked up two wins over West Union and Minford. Piketon and Zane Trace both split a tri-match as Piketon beat Notre Dame and lost to Northwest. Zane Trace lost to a solid South Webster team, but rebounded to beat Portsmouth Clay. You can get all the scores, updated records, and upcoming schedules at SVCsportszone's volleyball main page.

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