Lady Eagles defeat SCA rivals Mtn. Grove Panthers

What a week to be an Eagle. After battling through injuries and adversity, the Lady Eagles are making progress with their first SCA win.

“I am very pleased with the growth we made this week overall,” began Head Coach Shari Tune on the week. “We now have to find ways to create habits and consistency in our mental game to continue to grow.”

A battle of the Eagles took place on Monday, Sept. 11, at The Eagle’s Nest and what a battle it was. From C team to JV to Varsity, the Lady Eagles never gave up the fight.

“We are finally looking up,” explained Coach Tune. “Last night was yet another new rotation due to another injury. We battled very well for the circumstances. I am extremely proud of the fight, but also learned new areas we need to focus on. All the adversity will pay off if these girls see it as an opportunity to grow, not an excuse to lose. Those are the losses you can handle and build on. Fair Grove is one of the best Class 2 teams in the state and we gave them a good fight.”

The Liberty C team played a full match dropping two sets to Fair Grove 18-25, 12-25. The Liberty JV won in 25-19, 25-17. The Varsity Lady Eagles battled it out in four sets 20-25, 25-22, 17-25, 21-25.

Unofficial stats for the game, Senior Bre Daniels had 19 kills and 13 digs; Senior Maci Tharp had 3 kills and 9 digs; Senior Kallee McDaniel 2 kills and 1 dig; Junior Korie Lind 6 kills and 5 digs; Junior Kaylie Wagner 11 digs; Junior Bryleigh Wallace 5 kills and 12 digs; Sophomore Jade Acklin 1 kill; Sophomore Kelbie Smith 1 kill and 2 digs; and Freshman Jayli Tharp 2 serve aces and 9 digs.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12 the Lady Eagles hosted the Mtn. Grove Lady Panthers. The JV came out in two 25-12, 25-18 while the Varsity Lady Eagles had a reverse sweep defeating Grove in three, after losing the first two sets, 23-25, 20-25, 25-15, 25-23, 15-9. The game was definitely a game for the record books as the Eagles dug deep and came out with a massive SCA win.

“We finally have shown the positive of adversity this week,” reflected Coach Tune. “The girls are mentally making progress and working together. This win was a great turning point and I hope they continue to grow.”

Unofficial stats for the game, Daniels had 1 serve ace, 16 kills and 18 digs; Maci Tharp had 2 serve aces, 1 kill and 11 digs; McDaniel had 3 kills and 2 digs; Senior Kinzie Tomey had 2 serve aces, 6 kills and 3 digs; Lind had 2 serve aces, 11 kills and 5 digs; Wagner had 4 serve aces, 1 kill and 19 digs; Wallace had 13 kills and 7 digs; Jayli Tharp had 2 kills and 9 digs.

Wrapping up the week, the Lady Eagles hosted the Winona Lady Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 14. The game was Varsity only. Keeping everyone their toes, the Lady Eagles once again had a reverse sweep against the Lady Wildcats 22-25, 22-25, 25-13, 25-12, 15-10.

“I was very displeased with how we started this match,” commented Coach Tune. “However, the girls found a way to battle and turn it around. This week was proof that no matter the level of competition, we will play to that, and that has to change and become a consistent level for us.”

Unofficial stats for the game, Daniels had 4 serve aces, 19 kills and 12 digs; Maci Tharp had 1 serve ace, 6 kills and 11 digs; McDaniel had 1 kill and 1 dig; Tomey had 2 serve aces, 5 kills and 1 dig;  Senior Kaylie Foster had 3 digs; Senior Grace Berkshire had 1 dig; Lind had 16 kills, 2 digs; Wagner had 3 serve aces and 15 digs; Wallace had 2 serve aces, 4 kills and 22 digs; sophomore Jade Acklin had 2 kills and 10 digs; and Jaylie Tharp had 1 serve ace and 6 digs.