Liberty-Eylau falls to North Lamar

TEXARKANA, Texas — Liberty-Eylau pushed North Lamar to the limit.

The Lady Leopards fell to the Lady Panthers in five sets Tuesday on Senior Night at the Rader Dome in a District 15-4A match, 25-15, 23-25, 22-25, 25-14, 20-18.

“That’s the best we’ve played together,” LibertyEylau head coach Lacey Middlebrooks said. “We have some matches where individuals play great but tonight, everyone played together. No one played selfish volleyball.

“We played fast and clean volleyball. We made good passes. We got more blocks and digs tonight. It makes a difference when we can swing. It makes a difference because we’re able to put more pressure on people.”

North Lamar responded to the Leopards taking the middle two sets by defeating L-E in the final two sets to capture the match.

L-E’s momentum continued in the third set.

The Panthers kept the set close, but the net play of Daycoria Meadows secured the set victory for the

Leopards. Meadows finished the third set with seven kills, four points and two blocks.

“I couldn’t say anything to them except how proud of them we are,” Middlebrooks said. “This loss stings but this is the time we should be playing really good heading into next week.”

The Leopards held their first lead of the match in the second set.

North Lamar clawed back, but ultimately L-E held a firm grasp of the lead.

Kirsten Stuard led the Leopards in the second frame with four service points.

“District has been a little tough for us,” Middlebrooks said. “Daycoria stepped up and played great for us tonight. We had to have her move a feet more and also put her in different spots so she can be successful. When we do that, it gets everyone else going.”

The Panthers were able to mount a lead from the service line in the opening set.

North Lamar was able to balloon its lead to double-digits before ultimately taking the set from the Leopards.

Meadows, Tamara Simpkins, Tanner Robb, Stuard and Simaya White were all recognized before the match during Senior Night festivities.

“My seniors have went above and beyond everything we’ve asked of them,” Middlebrooks said. “It’s been hard, we’ve had our ups and downs. It hasn’t been easy but they bought into the fact that we want them to win.”