It was not exactly a smooth, clean start to the season for Chet Snyder’s Fairfield Lady Mules Monday when they hosted Richland County. Yet, they were able to play flat for long stretches and still come out with a 25-18, 25-22 win against the larger school.

The Lady Tigers hung tough with Fairfield for stretches of both sets. They never led after 11-9 in the first set but was still tied at 13 before the Lady Mules ripped off six straight points. They were even more feisty in the second set, leading as late at 17-5 before another late surge saw Snyder’s squad score seven straight.

Superstar senior Emersyn Robbins served four straight aces in that last surge, essentially calling game from behind the service line. She would finish the night with 16 kills, four aces and nine digs, all game highs.

Robbin’s 59.3 kill percentage led Fairfield to a 44.1 number over all and a .254 hitting percentage. Richland County by comparison finished with a 19.7 kill percentage and a .015 hit percentage, despite coming in with a height advantage.

Both teams served well, with each team missing two each, but Fairfield out aced the Tigers, 7-4.

Fairfield will take a 1-0 record into their Kickoff Classic Tournament Saturday. The tournament will be played at both FCHS and Center Street. It features 12 teams, including last year’s champions, NCOE. The Lady Mules will play Mt. Vernon, Christopher and Robinson in pool play.

Fairfield def. Richland County
25-18, 25-22

Kills-Attacks-Errors—Emersyn Robbins 16-27-4, Gracie Atwood 4-13-4, Kenzie Turner 2-4, Rylee Edwards 2-11-2, Lainie Clark 2-4-1, Total 26-59-11.

Serving—Robbins 11-12, Ava Best 10-11, Clark 9-9, Edwards 8-8, Katherine Newman 6-6, Mabry Ellis 5-5, Total 49-51.

Aces—Robbins 4, Best 1, Clark 1, Edwards 1.

Blocks-Block Assists—Turner 2-1, Clark 1-0, Edwards 0-1, Atwood 0-1.

Digs—Robbins 9, Ellis 6, Edwards 5, Newman 3, Best 3, Clark 2, Turner 1.

Assists—Edwards 16, Best 6, Ellis 2.