MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 2, 1998

RESERVE – The Reserve Christian Lady Eagles won the state volleyball championship the last four years while playing in the Louisiana Christian Schools Athletic Association.

The Lady Eagles have carried over that success in their first year in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, clinching a spot in the state playoffs with a 15-2, 15-7 victory over McGehee Tuesday afternoon.

The victory, coupled with Faith Christian’s win over Lynn Oaks Tuesday, clinched at least second place in District 7-V for Reserve Christian. TheLady Eagles improved to 12-3 overall and 4-0 in District 7-V, a game up on Faith Christian (11-7, 3-1). McGehee fell to 1-20 overall and 1-3 indistrict.

Ashley Holmes, Katie Millet and Summer Vicknair each had two aces for the Lady Eagles. Holmes led with nine kills while Kelly McGee was theLady Eagles’ top defender.

Reserve Christian started fast, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first game. Hailey Hammond delivered an ace and had another serve that forcedMcGehee into an error. Holmes and Vicknair combined on a block andHammond had a kill to break serves by the Mohawks.

McGehee got on the board on an error by the Lady Eagles with Ashley Perschall serving but the Lady Eagles came right back on two McGehee errors. Vicknair then spiked a free ball and Holmes served an ace to buildthe lead to 10-1.

On the Lady Eagles’ next serve, Angie Tucker served an ace and Millet and Vicknair hustled to make serves with McGee getting the point with a dink to make it 13-2. McGehee held off four serves before Holmes brought theLady Eagles to game point with a kill of a free ball. Brooke Delaneuvillethen served to the back row which the Mohawks returned long for the game winner.

McGehee gave the Lady Eagles a harder time in the second game, jumping out to a 2-0 lead as Brooke Pickney delivered a kill into the left corner and Brandy Branigan followed with an ace. Reserve Christian bounced backto take a 4-2 lead on an ace by Holmes and a dink by Vicknair.

McGehee came back to take a 5-4 lead on a kill by Pickney. After Millettied the score with a spike, a dink by Lauren Bowling and a Lady Eagle error gave the Mohawks a 7-5 advantage.

That would be the last the Lady Eagles would trail as Vicknair delivered consecutive aces after Millet broke McGehee’s serve with a kill. Twoerrors by the Mohawks put the Lady Eagles ahead. Delaneuville brokeMcGehee’s next serve with a kill and Millet followed with back to back aces to increase the lead to 12-7. Delaneuville again broke the Mohawks’serve and came back with a spike. Two errors by McGehee gave the LadyEagles game point.

“We played really good,” Reserve coach Mike Marix said.

“Overall, I think it was the best game we have played this year. Everyfacet of the game – bumping, setting and hitting, being aggressive and communicating. Not getting in a hole, starting quick and attacking quick.”Reserve Christian has two games remaining – at Lynn Oaks Tuesday and at home against Faith Christian Thursday. A victory in both would clinch theDistrict 7-V championship.

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