Senior Dameka Shed returns the ball to the Blackcats. The Lady Eagles defeated Mexia Friday night, leaving them with a season record of 11-3. (Photo by Kealie House)
Taking charge in their season, the Lady Eagles hold a record of 11-3 after their recent defeats of Mexia on Oct. 7 and Madisonville on Oct. 4.
The Lady Eagles will begin their second round of district with their game against Athens High School on October 14 in Fairfield at 4:30.
“Being captain, the team has made it easy for me. I’m proud to have teammates who work hard and together every practice,” Varsity captain Cali Gawryszewski said. “We are eager to show everyone what we’ve been working for since July.”
Coach Dennis Johnson has high hopes for his varsity volleyball team this season.
“With only two players gone, and all the new ones joining our returning starters, I think we have a good chance,” Coach Dennis Johnson said. “I see that this team has the same, if not more potential than last year.”
Tournament play in Centerville, Leon, and at home in Fairfield has built the varsity team’s endurance and improved their skill.
“The tournaments are a lot of fun to play in during the season,” junior Madelyn Gallegos said. “We come face to face with really great teams, and that makes us better as competitors.”
All of the volleyball teams have practiced almost constantly since August 1 with scrimmages, games, tournaments and two weeks of two-a-days filling up the last days of summer.
“We fight to get better every day,” sophomore Aaryn Scires said. “We come together as one team on the court to dominate the competition.”
Along with the Varsity, the JV team this year, coached by Kerry Hand, has trained hard every day after school.
“I definitely feel like our team has improved since the beginning of the season, as well as last year. We have such a great bond off the court, so playing together is a lot easier,” JV captain Joanna Zamora said. “Our main goal is to get better and better each day.”
Volleyball is a sport that requires constant improvement and a will to win.
“This year we’re focusing on serve receive and defense,” Coach Johnson said. “But more importantly, we’re focusing on perfecting a quicker offense to put us ahead.”
The Freshman teams, coached by Naffie Lightsey, have also persevered on their path to success this year.
“We’ve been working really hard already,” freshman Bailey Jones said. “We’ve gotten a lot better at working as a team.”
With an entirely new set of freshman playing volleyball this year, they have had a lot to learn.
“We’ve learned to shut up or get on the line,” said freshman Belle Johnson. “We’ve learned the basic skills it takes to be the best we can.”
Hours spent together on a court in practices, scrimmages, games, and tournaments forged a bond between even the most diverse group of players.
“I can’t help but love them with all the time we spend together,” Coach Johnson said. “I just want them all to be as successful as they can be together, as a team.”
