Lady Leopards sweep Atlanta
Liberty-Eylau celebrated Senior Night in dominant fashion.
After Atlanta forced extra points in the first set, the Lady Leopards built commanding leads and swept the District 14-4A volleyball match, 26-24, 25-15, 25-20 Tuesday at the Rader Dome. The loss brought the Lady Rabbs on the brink of elimination from the postseason, and puts L-E in third place by itself in the league standings.
“The girls showed maturity on Senior Night, which was good to see,” Liberty-Eylau coach LaTasha Harris said. “It was very laxed (to start off) because it was all about our seniors. It was not our normal routine, and I’m a very routine-type coach. We started a senior who had been out due to injury, and she did a great job.”
The Leopards (4-2 district) were able to gain the momentum throughout the night and hang on longer than the visitors.
L-E held leads of 5-0, 15-12 and 22-15 in the first set. The Rabbs closed the 7-point gap with a 5-point streak and used a 4-1 rally to tie the score at 24-all. A kill and an ace sent the first set to the home team.
In the second set, the Leopards used an 8-2 rally to erase an early deficit to go ahead 9-5. Liberty-Eylau was up 19-13 when it closed the set on a 7-2 rally.
Atlanta gained the lead quickly in the third set, taking advantages of 6-2 and 15-10 following a 5-point streak. L-E regained the lead with seven consecutive points and, after a 19-19 knot,
scored 6 of 7 to complete the sweep.
“(Derrica) Henderson, our middle, got hurt during the match, but the team never let up,” Harris said. “When she went down, they showed their growth by stepping up as a team and keeping the momentum going. It did seem laxed, but they played and played hard. I can’t ask for more than to win in three in a district match.”
Keeley Norris swatted nine kills and contributed eight blocks for the Leopards, and Taylor Crabtree had six points, 20 digs and 20 serve-receives. Kyana Norman added 14 points and eight blocks, Daycoria Meadows had seven points and six kills, and Mariah Coleman also served six points. Kelly Cigainero had 21 assists for L-E.
Keyona Easter smashed nine kills for Atlanta, Amber Adams had four kills and five blocks, Alyssa Simmons had 10 service points and Alicia Garcia served seven.
Prior to the teams’ warmup, Liberty-Eylau presented seniors Crabtree, Henderson, Kaliyah Thompson, Aaliyah Thompson, Norman, Amoyia Gentry, Cigainero and manager Taniqua Credit as the outgoing class.
In the junior varsity match, the Leopards won 25-16, 25-16. Alyssa Little served 11 points for L-E, and Asia Cooper led Atlanta with six points.
Liberty-Eylau travels to North Lamar Friday.