By LACS Athletics Office
The Lake Arrowhead Christian School Eagles volleyball team finished the season with the same enthusiastic energy it displayed the entire season. The girls were resolutely supportive of each other with cheers between each rally, whether they were ahead or behind. With this year’s roster being entirely composed of new players, the team was behind more often than not but you wouldn’t know that by the consistent level of encouragement the Lady Eagles demonstrated toward one another.
These girls comprised the Lady Eagles roster: Avery Barrett, Audrey Coe, Athena Gayton, Trulee Kanayan, Story Lee, EvyLee Martin, Evie Pierson, India Shaker and Malaya Shaker, each of them a first-time volleyball player. Three were in eighth grade and six were in sixth grade. They competed in the Mountain Valley Christian School League against teams mainly consisting of seventh and eighth-grade veteran athletes.
The one constant from last season was Coach Tawny Martin, who cultivated a positive atmosphere while she helped the rookie Eagles learn the skills of the game. While last year’s team earned a playoff berth with a 6-2 divisional record, this year’s squad was more of a developmental unit, finishing with a 4-8 divisional record and 4-9 overall, although they were very competitive in a number of their losses, as well.
“I knew I was getting a team that had never played before, so I wanted to make sure these girls knew the basics of volleyball and to focus on technique,” said Coach Tawny (as she is known). “Now I’m thinking about how proud I am that they have improved so much since the beginning of the season. I have enjoyed watching their love and understanding of the game grow.”
Coach Tawny said that the girls would “get so excited” when they completed a “bump, set, spike” in a game, as it showed the progress the team was making. “It really lifted our spirits.”
As the calendar moves into November, the Lady Eagles will be moving on to softball season, but the girls will still be dreaming of volleyball. Thankfully, most of them will be returning to volleyball in the spring, when Coach Tawny will give skills clinics to the young ladies, preparing them for next fall’s campaign, when their ages – and their skills – will be closer to their competition. Until then, Let’s Go Eagles!
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