Eagles Win Over Elkhorn Valley Falcons At Home

The O'Neill Eagles took the floor for the last time at home this season.  Four seniors and their parents were honored before the varsity match.Senior recognized included; Alyssa Sobotka, Megan Peter, Tapanga Lihs and Lindsey Appleby.

The Eagles defeated the Falcons in four sets:  25-15, 22-25, 25-23 and 25-13.  In set one O'Neill started with a 4-0 run, but the Falcons answered back to tie it 4-4. The Eagles had a couple of other service rotations where they earned 4-5 points in a row to give them a decent lead after one complete rotation 17-11 and went on to win set one. 

In set two the Falcons led by two 14-12 after one rotation, but the Eagles fought back to pull ahead for a brief time in the middle of the second rotation 21-19.  Elkhorn Valley came back to win 25-21 making the match tied at one win apiece.

The third set was close with both teams within reach, but the Eagles got the victory 25-23.  O'Neill came out strong the fourth set leading 20-9 after one rotation and going on to win the match after two more servers 25-13.

"I was pleased with the team's performance tonight," said Coach Appleby.  "I was especially happy for our four seniors.  They all had a great game and played to their potential.  It was nice to get a win for their last game on home court."

Lindsey Appleby led the Eagles with 15 kills, 15 digs and 18 good serve receptions. Alyssa Sobotka followed with 11 kills, 14 digs and 11 good serve receives. Other solid performances came from Megan Peter with eight kills, whileTapanga Lihs and McKenzie Adamson added four kills each.

Sarah Devall handled the setting duties with 34 assists and Appleby had four assists. Natalie Brodersen had the only block on the night.  

Leading servers were Lindsey Appleby with 17 points and five aces, Natalie Brodersen with 11 points and Alyssa Sobotka with nine points and one ace.

On Oct. 19 O'Neill traveled to Wayne for a triangular. The Eagles played Wayne the first game and were downed 25-14 and 15-21.

The first set was close through the first rotation with the Eagles trailing 8-9, and then Wayne had a big run to pull away. Set two the Eagles were competitive.  It was tied at eight points and then the Blue Devils were able to keep a two or three point distance from the Eagles.

Alyssa Sobotka led at the net with five kills while Tapanga Lihs had three kills. McKenzie Adamson and Raytaya Young both added two kills.  Adamson also had a block.

Sarah Devall had nine assists and Appleby had two assists. Defensively Rahtaya Young led with six digs followed by Devall, Appleby and Sobotka with five digs apiece.  Appleby led serve receivers with 11 followed by Young and Sobotka with eight and six good receives respectively.

The Eagles faced a strong Hartington CC team the second game.  The Trojans won 25-9 and 25-15.

McKenzie Adamson led in digs with five and had one block against HCC. Appleby followed with four digs and nine good serve receptions.  The Trojans played exceptional defense holding the Eagles to very few kills.  Alyssa Sobotka had two kills, and Lindsey Appleby, Megan Peter, Natalie Brodersen and Rahataya Young all added one kill.