The Russellville varsity volleyball team hosted senior night during a stretch of matches in which the Lady Golden Tigers went 2-1 as the regular season nears an end.

RHS celebrated senior night Oct. 5 and honored Avery Watts, Destiny Elkins, Natalie Nichols, Kylee Phifer and Emma Campbell. The Lady Golden Tigers welcomed the Central-Florence Wildcats and Colbert County Indians as part of a tri-match.

Russellville defeated CCHS 2-0 after falling to the Central squad 2-0 by scores of 25-16 and 25-18. The matches bring Russellville’s record to 12-19 on the season.

“I’ve come to love them and have come to respect them,” first-year Russellville head coach Will White said of his group of seniors.

“Great group of seniors.They are hard-working, and they’ve been providing leadership. I can’t say enough good stuff about the five of them that we have.

“A couple of them are kinda splitting playing time, and a couple of them are not playing a whole lot, but at the same time, they are giving me great energy on the bench.

“Avery Watts is just crushing the ball as outside hitter; Natalie Nichols has been good anywhere I put her all year; Kylee Phifer has taken on this new position of middle and has blossomed. She’s really grown and developed this season.

“Emma Campbell has been real solid for us on the back row all season, and Destiny Elkins, when I’ve needed her to go in, she’s gone in. She’s done exactly the job that I’ve needed her to do,” White explained.

Prior to senior night, the Lady Golden Tigers defeated Haleyville 3-0 by scores of 25-15; 25-23 and 26-24 on Oct. 3 in another home match. “It was a good night for us,” White said. “The team came out strong and fought hard against a very good Lions team.”

Blevyn Sappington led RHS with 10 kills. Avery Watts and Laila Hill also helped the team to victory with eight kills each.