by Mollie Allred, FHS senior and Eagle Beat managing editor
Photo by Melanie Pena, FHS senior and Eagle Eye yearbook photographer
Varsity volleyball players concluded their district season with a win against Madisonville on Oct. 23, giving them a record of 5-3. Placed second in the district, the lady eagles earned a spot in bi-district and will play against Jasper at Central Heights High School on Monday at 5:30.
Lady eagles began their season in the beginning of August, with practices and workouts starting in July. At the start of the season, players spent their weekend at three different tournaments.
Going up for a hard hit and the point against Madisonville is Fairfield Lady Eagle Emmi Bonner.
“The team has done really well this season,” head coach Dennis Johnson said. “We competed very well in the three tournaments that we played in and that has continued into the regular season and district season.”
The district season began on September 21 against Palestine, followed by four home games against Rusk, Mexia, Madisonville, and Palestine again. The lady eagles secured wins in all but one of their first five games, losing to Mexia. After a BYE on October 12, the team played three away games, against Rusk, Mexia, and Madisonville. They lost to Rusk and to Mexia, an undefeated team and the district champ.
“Playing volleyball is a lot like cooking a good dinner,” junior Rebecca Dunlap said. “You have to put in a lot of time and practice, but in the end it’s worth it because of the great end product.”
Senior Aaryn Scires suffered a back injury in early September, and she has been unable to play in any district games. She will be out for the remainder of the season.
“Being a four year player on varsity, Aaryn was a team leader, captain, and someone who we depended on greatly,” Coach Johnson said. “She played multiple positions for us, so to lose her has forced other team members to step up and fill her spots.”
Alyssa Williams jumps high at the net to tip the ball over.
In bi-district, the lady eagles will compete against any advancing teams from our district, along with teams from District 20, which includes Carthage, Center, Huntington, and Jasper. If the team advances past bi-district, they will compete in area on November 1 and 2.
“It’s been hard not being able to play, but we’ve worked hard the whole season and I know the rest of the team is strong,” senior Aaryn Scires said. “Hopefully we’ll go far into playoffs, but if not, I will still consider it a successful season.”
The team will lose five seniors at the end of the season: Aaryn Scires, Katie Judd, Ashlyn Partain, Kailyn Partain, and Kyleigh Hudson.
“The seniors this year have really helped guide me and the rest of the team into playing our best,” sophomore Jenny Pina said. “Without their encouragement and leadership we wouldn’t be the good, strong team we are now.”
(Additional Sports Photography by Melissa Lee)
