By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Reserve Christian forced the fifth, tie-breaking game in its season-opening match Thursday at First Baptist of Slidell. But the Lady Eagles fell just short of a 1-0 start, as FBS notched a 23-25, 25-10, 25-20, 23-25, 15-5 victory.

Lacie Felder had five kills for the Eagles (0-1). Daysha Blount had 10 digs and three blocks, while Courtney Randle added two blocks of her own.

Reserve Coach Michelle McGee said that while her team fell just short, it has come worlds from where it was at this time a year ago.

“The first game I watched the team play last year, the opposing team served 25 balls and it was over,” she said. “They’ve really come so far. It’s a highly competitive team.”

But McGee said that her Eagles still have more to strive for, and that the fifth and deciding game in Thursday’s match showed much of what has to be cleaned up.

“We made a bunch of silly mistakes in the last game,” she said. “Our girls didn’t give up at all, but we made 10 critical mistakes that ended up costing us that match. We weren’t getting our serves over, and that’s not common for these girls.”

Reserve now turns its attention to the Ecole Classique tournament on Saturday. Then Tuesday, the Eagles face defending district champion Northlake Christian on the road on Tuesday.