Republic never trailed for long in any of the three sets, sweeping Springfield Central at home Monday, 25-12, 25-14, 25-12.
Reese Finley led the Lady Tigers with 11 kills and also picked up 16 digs. Chloe Pullan ran the offense, picking up 23 assists, and she also served four aces. Kate Mitchell had three blocks at the net.*
“I think it’s a good start to the season for sure,” Davis said of her team’s 6-1 start.
The home opener against Central gave Davis a chance to test different combinations of players on the floor.
“These games are a good opportunity for us to kind of figure out what we’re gonna do. We are trying different rotations, seeing where everybody’s strengths are. And with Shelby (Forbis) being out right now — hopefully we’ll have her back midseason — it’s good to have options that come off of the bench and do their job.”
Davis said there will be more opportunities ahead to find what works and what doesn’t before conference season rolls around.
Game page →“I just have a lot of different options, and I kind of want to see what is the best fit for this season,” she said. “And it might be something that we change opponent to opponent.”
What she has liked so far is how the group has handled itself on and off the court.
“They’re just locked in, completely locked in. They want to be successful this season,” Davis said. “We’re taking care of ourselves, each other, and our mental health and our mental toughness. And then I’m seeing that effect on the court, which is awesome to see. We genuinely just care about one another and we want everybody to be successful.”
Republic plays a tournament in St. Louis this weekend against top-notch opponents in the Rockwood Invitational. Davis hopes that test will ready the Lady Tigers for Central Ozark Conference play.
The JV won 25-12, 25-9, and the freshmen won 25-6, 25-10. Republic is now 6-1.
* Stats are unofficial
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