From staff reports

Playing at Pleasant Home Tuesday, W.S. Neal’s JV team took a loss while the varsity Lady Eagles claimed a win.
The JV Lady Eagles lost 2-0 (25-10 and 25-19) while the varsity Lady Eagles won 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 10-25, 25-23, and 15-11).
The loss for the JV squad dropped their overall record to 3-4 while the varsity improved to 6-6.
For the JV team, Caitlin Stuckey had six service aces while T’Keyah Gross had one ace.
Head coach Jason Blaney said his JV team started slow.
“We really picked it up in the second set to just come up short,” he said. “They do keep improving every match which is very good to see. We have to work more on receiving serve and moving feet.”
In varsity action, Tykeria Nolan had 13 service winners and one block while Karissa Johnson finished with 14 service winners, six aces, six kills, and two blocks.
Also in the win, Jodi Busby had three service winners, eight kills, and one block while Haleigh Dubose had seven service winners, two aces, three kills, and two blocks.
Dinah Samuel added four service winners, one ace, six kills, and two blocks while Marishia Fraser had two service winners and one ace. Tiffany Robinson had three service winners, two aces, and two kills in the five-set win.
Blaney said his Lady Eagles came out strong the first set and Pleasant Home, which is a great team that is very well coached by Coach Davis, made adjustments and took control the next two sets.
“We also became complacent after winning that first set,” Blaney said. “Our girls battled hard that fourth set and we were able to come away with it and carried the momentum into the fifth set for the win. We have won sets all season and let up the very next set, but after winning the fourth set, they did not let up which was huge step for us.”
Blaney noted that he had a couple girls struggle Tuesday night, but he also had some step up in big ways.
“Karissa Johnson is playing great volleyball right now in all positions, from her service game and back row play to front row hitter and back up setter,” he said. “Our libero, Madison Winchester, is playing great also. Madison does not get many stats recognized, but her digs and footwork is improving daily which is huge for us. Dinah Samuel really stepped up in the later sets for us at the net. Haleigh Dubose had a very good game also in the win.”