VERIBEST – The Early Lady Horns notched a 2-1 record on the first day of the Veribest volleyball tournament Friday, and advanced to the gold bracket which begins competition at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Early defeated Grape Creek in three sets, 25-20, 20-25, 25-20, then swept Reagan County 25-12, 25-19, with the loss coming to host Veribest 25-22, 26-24.

The triumph over Grape Creek resulted in nine kills from Karley Smith followed by six Aubrie Devillier, five from Jensyn Rasor, four from Ellie Shea, three from Tyley Simmons, two from Grey Pruett and one apiece from Gabby Benson and Cassidy Frerichs.

Pruett distributed 21 assists while Smith, Benson and Pruett each served three aces, Devillier chipped in a pair and Simmons and Shea served one apiece.

On the defensive end, Devillier registered 26 digs followed by Benson with 25, Pruett and Smith with 11 apiece, Simmons with five, Hallie Thornberry with three, Shea and Piper Pedersen with two each, and Rasor with one.

At the net, Shea picked up two blocks.

The victory over Reagan County featured six kills from Devillier, four from Rasor, three from Smith, two from Benson, and one each from Pruett, Simmons and Shea.

Pruett finished with 12 assists and three aces, while Benson also served three aces. Smith and Simmons both added a pair of aces and Shea served one as well.

The defensive effort was led by 13 digs from Smith, 12 from Benson, 10 from Devillier, six from Pruett, and two each from Rasor and Simmons.

Smith and Shea both logged two blocks at the net.

In the loss to Veribest, the offense was sparked by six kills from Smith along with four from Shea, two each from Rasor and Simmons, and one apiece by Devillier and Thornberry.

Smith also served three aces, Benson contributed two, and Pruett and Devillier added one each. Pruett also dished out nine assists.

Defensively, Benson logged 15 digs followed by 12 from Devillier, six each from Pruett and Smith, three from Thornberry and two from Simmons.

Simmons and Shea also recorded two blocks each and Pruett tacked on one for the Lady Horns, who are now 2-2 on the season.