This year’s Eagle High Varsity volleyball team won districts after much practice and preparation that went into the games. The players felt lucky to be coached by Collin Hartman this season, and his victory made the varsity volleyball team back-to-back 5A district champions.
Districts were held at Owyhee High on Oct. 16-19. It was a long week that required a lot of physical endurance for the players. As the number one ranked team in the district, Eagle High had tons of pressure to come out on top. The first game was on Oct. 16 against Centennial High and the second was on Oct. 17 against Rocky High. These two games were a clean sweep sending Eagle High to the semifinals.
On Oct. 18 the girls played Owyhee High for the ticket into the finals. Owyhee led 2-0 putting Eagle in a tricky situation. However, they won the next two sets tying it up 2-2. Eagle had an amazing start of the fifth set shaking up Owyhee’s confidence.
“This team never gives up no matter the circumstances,” said senior and team captain Liv Manning. The varsity team demonstrated hard work in this game and in the last set.
With an amazing comeback, the Mustangs won in the fifth set. With less than 24 hours of time before their next game, the players were back on the court to win the championship. After Owyhee High’s loss, they played Timberline High on Oct. 19 and won. This meant Eagle High would play Owyhee for the second time in the finals.
It was a clean sweep, and the title was acquired. This back-to-back 5A victory sent the varsity team to state. State was held in Coeur d’Alene on Oct. 26-28. They had a great weekend and played hard. In the end, they came in second after losing to Madison High in the finals.
“These girls are all so very special and all love each other,” said senior Teagan Scott. She is one of the two captains on this team along with Manning. They are both seniors and love this team and the season they had together.
Manning truly feels this team gave their all this year and it shows with a district title and second place at state.
“[They] believe they can and will win every game because [they] are willing to work hard to reach these goals. They work as a team every time a challenge comes their way. [They] aren’t finished until they hit those three sets,” Manning said prior to state.
These girls had a very impressive end to their season and look forward to many more. As for the seniors, they enjoyed every game with this team.