Lady Eagles battle through tough first week

The Liberty Lady Eagles battled through adversity this week as Senior Bre Daniels was injured during the first set of the first game of the season against the Licking Wildcats on Monday, Aug. 28.

"Mondays game I was extremely disappointed in how the girls mentally handled the situation. I expected better leadership, teamwork and grit when #1 went down, and I did not feel I saw it from more than a few. I do think this team struggles mentally and as teammates, so this injury has been a good lesson in what it takes," reflected Head Coach Shari Tune on the first game.

The JV Lady Eagles won in two sets against Licking while the Varsity lost in 3 sets 16-25, 16-25, 13-25.

For the Varsity game, Senior Bre Daniels had 4 kills and 1 dig, Sophomore Kaylie Wagner had 8 digs, Sophomore Kinsey Shoup had 1 dig, Junior Ady Holden had 1 kill and 3 digs, Sophomore Jade Acklin had 1 serve ace and 4 digs, Senior Kallee McDaniel had 1 kill and 2 digs, Junior Bryleigh Wallace had 5 kills and 4 digs, Senior Maci Tharp had 2 kills and 15 digs, Senior Kinzie Tomey had 2 serve aces, 2 kills and 3 digs, Junior Korie Lind had 1 serve ace and 6 kills. 

On Thursday, Aug. 31 the Lady Eagles travelled to West Plains to take on the Lady Zizzers. Despite losing in three sets, the Lady Eagles had a better showing than the first game of the week. The Lady Eagles fell in three sets 23-25, 16-25, 23-25.

For the Varsity game, Tomey had 4 kills, Acklin had 2 kills and 6 digs, Wagner had 14 digs, Tharp had 4 kills, 11 digs and 2 serve aces, Wallace had 7 kills, 5 digs and 1 serve ace, McDaniel had 2 kills and 1 dig, Lind had 9 kills and 2 digs, Senior Kaylie Foster had 1 serve ace, and Sophomore Kelbie Smith had 1 kill and 2 digs.

Coach Tune commented, "This week has been a tough one for us! I would gladly say I’d rather us be tested than not, so I’m ok with the lessons we have all learned this week. I am not happy with the lack of fundamentals. That should not happen regardless of what new positions you get thrown in, due to injury. I learned a lot about who was able and willing to step up, and who isn’t quite ready. I am eager to see how they bounce back. I was pleased with our last set this evening with West Plains and I’m punching myself for not trying that rotation sooner. Lessons learned for us all around. Even though we hate losing and hate the adversity of this week, we know it couldn’t be at a better time to prepare us for down the road. I told you this schedule would be brutal, and we haven’t even dug into the second week yet. Now, I did say that based off the schedule not the adversity of this week, but that is life. We always know we have a target on our back and get everyone’s best games. I tell the girls thats a compliment all the time. Come ready to battle!"

Next up the Lady Eagles will travel to Strafford on Tuesday, Sept. 5 before competing in the West Plains Showdown Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 9.