Submitted by Lake Arrowhead Christian School Athletics Office

The 2023 Lake Arrowhead Christian School fall volleyball season has come to an end, but the Eagles’ middle school girls’ team has much to celebrate. The girls went 13-1 to win the Northern Division of the Mountain Valley League and advanced to the playoffs.

Featuring a strong roster of experienced players, the Lady Eagles fought through the regular season schedule, knocking off teams from much larger schools. On Nov. 19, the Lady Eagles hosted the first round of the playoffs, falling to mighty Redlands Christian, a school five times larger than LACS.

After dropping the first game of the season to Hesperia Christian, the Eagles put together an impressive 13-game winning streak into the playoffs. Making her head coaching debut, Coach Joanna Brown, an LACS alum from the class of 2012, brought her own championship credentials to the program. As an Eagle in high school, her volleyball teams won league championships and advanced to CIF playoffs. She was also the assistant coach for the 2014 LACS CIF Southern Section championship team, which advanced to the state playoffs.

“I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting season as a first-time [head] coach,” remarked Coach Brown. “I appreciated each player’s determination, desire and eagerness to improve her skills. These girls enjoyed playing together but, most importantly, they enjoyed being together.”

Team Captain Kayleigh Spindler stays focused for a great pass. (Photos: Steve Rutz)

The Eagles were led by powerful eighth-grade hitters Mackenzie Carter and Kadence Cooper, along with team captain and seventh-grade setter Kayleigh Spindler. The team also featured eighth-graders Maya Anossov, Nolan Massey, Ellie Milosevic and setter Hannah Tallman. The seventh-grade class included Bailee McAdam and Isabella Shimauchi. Students from the sixth-grade class also made valuable contributions: Elizabeth Crowder, Jamisen Kiely, Polly Kladnick, Elizabeth Tallman and Lydia Tallman.

The Lady Eagles will celebrate their achievements at their fall sports awards night, where they will also get to raise the divisional championship banner featuring “2023” in honor of their stellar season.

Congratulations and let’s go, Eagles!