The Lady Tigers volleyball team has its first win under new head coach Allison Davis, and it didn’t take long. Republic came from behind to beat Lebanon at home Tuesday in the season opener, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20.
“I really just wanted to make a statement about Republic volleyball. I wanted to make a statement that we’re a more purposeful team, that we’re going to be playing with heart,” Davis said after the match. “After that first set, they could have fallen apart, but they chose to fight. I keep telling them, you will win a game if you play with your heart, and tonight that’s what they did, and that’s what makes me extra proud of this one.”
The team responded with a huge turnaround after dropping the first set, jumping ahead 11-6 early, then cruising the rest of the way.
“They walked out there and they did exactly what I told them to do,” Davis said. “We worked on executing certain points, very specific areas, and they did it. They were very coachable that second set, and they were on fire.”
In the third set, Republic built a 24-15 lead before Lebanon reeled off five straight points to make things interesting. A kill by Carle Ward finished off the decisive point.
Republic got ten kills from Kailey Manes to highlight their aggressive style of play under Davis. Senior Rylee Moseman helped set things up with a team-high 14 assists. Moseman also contributed three service aces, and so did freshman Kaemyn Bekemeier, playing her first varsity match. Emma Pearce led the defense with four digs.
Republic will try to build on its momentum when it hosts Kickapoo Thursday night.