Lady Rabbs prevail
Atlanta nips Liberty-Eylau in five sets in season opener
Liberty-Eylau and Atlanta gave fans some extra volleyball Tuesday.
After swapping two sets apiece, the Lady Rabbs edged the host Lady Leopards in their season opener at Liberty-Eylau Middle School, forcing eight extra points in the final set, 25-20, 12-25, 22-25, 25-22, 20-18.
“This isn’t the start I wanted, nor expected,” Liberty-Eylau coach Kaylee Treas-Dalby said. “Our missed serves are what hurt us tonight. That’s something we will focus on this next week.”
The Leopards trailed in the first set, 12-21, L-E roared back to notch the set at 20-22. The Rabbs found three straight points to end the match.
In the second set, the Leopards never trailed. L-E held leads of 14-7, 18-10 and 23-11, before gaining the last two points to end the match.
The third set began much like the second set ended. Neither squad led the set by no more than three points. The Leopards ended Atlanta’s rally for the final point, taking the set.
“They dug down deep and they have the heart that we want,” Treas-Dalby said. “I have a bunch of youngsters and I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of girls. We’re going to keep pushing and fighting. We’re going to overcome what we noticed today, but our heart is what’s going to keep us in this thing.”
The fourth set, saw the Lady Rabbs claw back from a 14-9 deficit, to tie at 14-all. After a few L-E miscues, Atlanta fired the final three points to end the match.
The final set, was a back and forth between both squad. The Leopards ended the Atlanta rally at 14-14. The Rabbs fought back after a L-E spurt, for the final two points to end the match.
Keeley Norris led the Leopards with 13 kills and four blocks. Daycoria Meadows added 11 kills with five blocks and Bryanna Block added seven service points.
“Keeley and Daycoria are our top hitters and we’re going to continue to feed them,” Treas-Dalby said.
Atlanta’s junior varsity swept L-E, 25-19, 25-19.
The Leopards are back in action on
Thursday, traveling to the Redwater Tournament.