On September 3, the Lyle/Pacelli Athletics showcased their volleyball prowess with a commanding victory over LeRoy/Ostrander, winning in straight sets with scores of 25-22, 25-13, and 25-16. Freshman Akeara Oman played a pivotal role in this match, demonstrating her potential as a key player for the team.
Despite an early setback where Lyle/Pacelli found themselves trailing 7-2 in the first set, Oman quickly turned the tide. Her impressive serving included three consecutive aces, tying the score at 12 and providing a much-needed boost in confidence for her team. By the end of the match, Oman had accumulated eight kills, helping Lyle/Pacelli establish control over the game.
Autumn Drennan, a junior setter for Lyle/Pacelli, praised Oman's growth and performance. "Akeara has grown so much and even last year she was amazing. She’s always ready to hit from all angles," Drennan stated. With 23 set assists to her name, she acknowledged the importance of the victory, especially as the team is still finding its rhythm this season. "We needed this win really badly and we’re still not fully in our groove, but this one helped," she added.
Oman expressed her increasing confidence with each match, emphasizing the importance of communication with Drennan. "I trust Autumn a lot, and I’ve just got to be ready for everything," she noted, highlighting the growing synergy between the two players.
The match was not without its challenges, as both teams faced a hot and humid gym environment, which made for a tough start. Lyle/Pacelli eventually seized the momentum, taking a 24-22 lead in the first set following a kill from Jacey Bednar, who also contributed eight kills during the match. This momentum carried into the second set, where Lyle/Pacelli quickly established a 7-3 lead.
Drennan mentioned the importance of staying calm under pressure. "It was a lot of deep breaths. We just had to calm down and relax. It’s so hot in here, and we just needed to settle and play our game like normal," she explained.
Co-head coach Larry Neilsen expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, particularly in serving and serve reception, areas where they had struggled in previous matches. "When we serve well and serve receive well, we’re a pretty good team. We’ve got good hitters and we can spread the net and make the defense really guess what’s going on. Our serving let us down last week, but tonight was much better," Neilsen said.
For LeRoy/Ostrander, Miranda Nagel led the team with six kills, while Benita Almaraz-Nolt added five kills and six digs. Head coach Lindsay Milks commended her team for their effort, especially in light of recent challenges, including injuries and player transfers. "Everything was stacked against us, and I’m happy with how these girls have really worked hard and done what I’ve asked of them," she remarked.
Overall, Lyle/Pacelli improved their record to 3-3, while LeRoy/Ostrander fell to 1-1. The match served as a critical moment for the Athletics, showcasing their potential as they continue to build on their season.
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