Sports
Ace Nation: The Eagles soar to a three-set victory over the Tomcats
By: Jillian Sanders
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GLOUSTER, Ohio (WOUB) — The Eastern Eagles swept the Trimble Tomcats on Thursday night in a close three-set match.
The first set started out tight, neither team would let up. There were great rallies, and both defenses played lights out. It wasn’t until late in the first set that Eastern outside hitter Makenzie Robertson came alive for the Eagles. Robertson had three kills in a row which put the Eagles up 20 to 17.
The Tomcats tried to bounce back, but they could not get into a rhythm after head coach Brandi Freer called a timeout to regather her team. Eastern won the first set 25 to 18.
Trimble came out on fire in the second set. They were able to come together and play like they know how to. Macy Vore, Trimble Outside Hitter, had some smart tricks up her sleeve. The Tomcats’ flame started to dim, as the Eagles came soaring in. Braelyn Simpson took control of the second set with two explosive kills for the Eagles, putting her team up 14 to 11.
The end of the second kept everyone on their toes, both offenses were owning the net, and the defenses would not allow a ball to drop. Ultimately, the Eagles won the second set 25 to 20, and who better than Simpson to close it out?
Now in the third, the Eagles were feeding off the energy from Simpson. Eastern Middles, Brooklyn Barkey and Peyton Bailey, were a wall for Trimble’s offense to overcome. The Tomcats call a timeout in the middle of the third, and they know this is now or never. Trimble heads back onto the court and starts to come alive. Vore puts one away for the Tomcats, and fellow outside, Bailey Bickley, follows up with an ace. Eastern calls a timeout as they are up 17 to 13.
Trimble could not keep their spark lit, as Simpson had back-to-back kills late in the set for the Eagles. Now Simpson is back to serve and finishes the game off with 2 aces. Eastern took the third set 25 to 15, sweeping the Tomcats in straight sets.
Trimble hosts Belpre on Tuesday night, and Eastern travels to Meigs on Wednesday.