Reardan sweeps rival, advances in playoffs

REARDAN-In a loser-out playoff game, the Screaming Eagles volleyball team swept Davenport 25-14, 25-22, 25-21 on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The game was a rematch for Reardan, which lost to Davenport in five-sets, three weeks earlier.

In the first set, Reardan played a spirited defense that kept the Gorilla’s off balance. Coalie Whitman and Liz Bell kept the ball in play, allowing Emma Flaa to score five kill shots en route to a 25-14 win.

The Gorillas, fielding a roster of mostly eighth and ninth graders, battled back in the 2nd set. They led 13-8 before Reardan pulled ahead to win 25-22. The final set was also close, but Reardan’s experience enabled them to complete the sweep.

Whitman, Flaa and Liberty Anderson led Reardan’s attack. Whitman had 26 assists and Flaa and Anderson scored 15 and five kills, respectively. Justine Flett had 20 digs and Bell and Flaa each contributed 18. Payton Thurman-Wynne paced the Screaming Eagles with four blocks.

Emalie Jacoby led the Gorillas with 10 kills, 17 assists and four blocks. Naomi Rainwater added eight kills. Tatum Hupp recorded 19 digs, followed by Jacoby who had 15.

Reardan assistant coach Mike Lyon thought his team played a solid game.

“We played with good energy and overall, it was a good effort,” he said. “We hope the momentum from this win will carry us on into our next game.”

Bell thought the Screaming Eagle’s solid defense was the difference in the game, specifically Flett who she said played like “a beast.”

“This game gives us momentum,” Bell said.

As far as their next opponent?

“Whoever wants to come at us, let’s go,” she said.

Thurman-Wynne said the key to victory in their next match is to “stay positive and not have any doubts.”

“If we can do that, we won’t come out looking like a hot mess,” she said.

Emalie Jacoby thought her team played well but could have been better on defense.

She was not disappointed in how the season ended because next year, “we’re going to be really good.”

Davenport coach Heather Jacoby thought her team played well but, “our young age showed tonight.”

“They worked their tails off all year,” Jacoby said. “Every game they fought against juniors and seniors. I am so proud of them.”

Her expectations for next year?

“We will dominate. I know it,” Jacoby said. “Tonight set the fuel for next year. We will dominate.”

Davenport closed out its season with a 5-6 record in the NE2B league. With the win, Reardan improved to 6-5 and moves on to play Upper Columbia Academy on Nov. 3 in another loser-out contest.