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(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Emma Hawkins attempts to clear a ball Tuesday, Sept. 2, against the Lady Mavs. Hawkins picked up multiple points on tip plays in the match win. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Camren Mallory goes up for a block Tuesday, Sept. 2, against the Lady Mavs. Newcastle defeated Eastland in four sets. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Kinsey Hawkins goes for a dig Tuesday, Sept. 2. Hawkins picked up an ace at the service line during this match and is the youngest player on the varsity team this year. -
(ALEX HAVARDANKSY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The Ladycats huddle prior to their matchup Tuesday, Sept. 2, against Eastland. The Ladycats defeated the Lady Mavs in four sets.
After traveling to Nocona for a tournament last weekend, the Ladycats had a home matchup and picked up a win over the Eastland Lady Mavs.
Coming into the matchup, Head Coach Ashley Archer hoped to see continued fight from the team after they swung for the fences at the Nocona tournament finishing in the silver bracket.
“Overall, I thought that they played some really big schools and some really good competition and competed,” Archer said. “So then we came into this match and you know Eastland is a lot bigger than us too. So I just said, "You were made for this.”
On the night they certainly were made for the moment, defeating the Lady Mavs in four sets.
Kinzee Forbus is someone who definitely rose to the occasion during the match in its entirety, filling up the stat sheets.
Forbus started set one with back to back aces to put the team up 2-0, while also continuing to put in work in the front row at center net. Forbus was frequently earning kills from that spot while also picking up points by tipping the ball.
Sophie Terrell and Camren Mallory also teamed up for a big block in the set with Terrell also doing cleanup work alongside Forbus in the front row picking up kills and points.
Emma Hawkins picked up points on soft tips and Mallory picked up an ace to help secure a 31-29 win in extras.
Set two started much the same way with the Ladycats jumping out to a 5-1 lead with Forbus and Terrell continuing to be a dynamic duo. However, Kinsey Hawkins and Kenzie King also got in on the action with Hawkins picking up an ace and King utilizing the left side of the net.
The Lady Mavs attempted to fight back but it wasn’t enough as Newcastle took a 25-20 set two win.
After a slight setback in the match on a 25-15 set three loss, it was time to lock back in for set four and pick up the win.
As was the case with the other two sets they won up to this point, Newcastle started with a lead, jumping ahead 5-1.
Terrell worked the left side of the net for a kill to help the team keep up its early momentum leading 7-2. That lead quickly grew to 15-5, but then the Lady Mavs fought back again to make it 16-11.
That's when the defense kicked in as Terrell and Mallory teamed up again for another block and Aubree Clayton picked up an additional block on the right side of the net to make it 21-13.
After a brief comeback effort from the Lady Mavs, the team eventually pulled out the match win in set four, 25-20.
“When they put themselves aside and they play for each other and they play for our community and the lord they really shine,” Archer said. “I just hope that they keep surprising people.”
After having an open date in their schedule Saturday, Sept. 6, the Ladycats travel on the road to Electra for a match Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m.
