By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Reserve Christian is one victory away from a winning season in district play after topping Bishop McManus on Wednesday night, 25-11, 25-11, 25-14.

Amanda Watson’s ace in the third and final game clinched the victory.

It was one of Watson’s match high 10 aces. And there were plenty of those, as the Bishop McManus defense seemed to have little answer — Laci Felder served six, Courtney Randle served five, Daysha Blount four and Elise Michel one as the Eagles coasted to victory.

“I asked them before the game to not only bring home a win, but a powerful win, and they did that,” McGee said. “I don’t see anything holding this team back.”

Reserve (6-16, 5-4) will face Archbishop Hannan on Tuesday in Reserve’s regular season finale. A win in that game would lock up a winning season within District 6-V, a big step in the right direction for an Eagles program under the direction of McGee, the Eagles’ second-year head coach.

“I completely believe in these girls,” said McGee. “I’m very proud of all of them, and I love seeing the way they look after getting a win like this.”

Felder had five kills. Michel had three assists, while Tiffani Serven added two.

The 10-ace day was a breakout performance for Watson, who McGee says has gained a lot of confidence in her game in her senior season.

“She really started jumping at the ball and making kills, and we love to see that,” McGee said. “She’s just found a great passion for the game that’s grown inside of her.”

Hannan is currently in second place in District 6-V, and a win over the Hawks (who were 6-1 in district play before press time) would be a major boost to the team’s morale — and with a few breaks, its playoff hopes.

“I really feel like this team can do it,” McGee said.

CAT SCRATCH TOURNAMENT: Reserve went 1-3 at the Cat Scratch tourney this past Saturday at East St. John.

The Eagles first fell to East St. John in two close games, 25-27, 21-25. Felder led RCS with eight kills. Watson had four aces.

Its next match ended in a two game loss to Loranger, 22-25, 8-25. Felder again led the way with five kills.

Reserve got on the board in its third match, toppling Ascension Christian 25-15, 25-11. Blount had three aces, and Felder had seven kills.

The Eagles ended the day with a tough loss in three games, falling 25-23, 22-25, 8-15 against East Ascension. Serven had three aces, and Watson had two kills.

“Any time we play these (upper-classification) schools, it’s great practice for our players,” said McGee. “We all get to see the strategies that different players and coaches use. It can be win-win. Even if we lose, we’re still learning something.”