In a well-played match, the West Coast Lady Eagles defeated the Cal Tech Beavers on Tuesday night, 3 sets to 0. 

Going into the match with a 0-3 record, the Lady Eagles’ spirits were contrary to what some would have expected. They exhibited a determination that began Saturday night after their loss to Southwestern University.  This determination flowed into their Monday night practice and lit their fire going into Tuesday night’s game.

In the huddle before the game they recited Philippians 3:13-14 as a reminder to forget the losses behind them and reach forth unto the goals they had set. After a few words of encouragement and advice, Coach Shaw led her team in prayer and the game began.

In the first game, the Lady Eagles took a quick 6-1 lead. Elizabeth Marks and Kirstin Baydo served 3 aces in a row to gain much needed momentum. The Lady Eagles continued to push the momentum forward through the last points of the first set, winning 25-18.

Going into the second set, the Lady Eagles took a slow start. After 4 attack errors in a row, Coach Shaw called a timeout to regroup her team. She encouraged them to utilize their kills and put the ball down when they had the opportunity. More determined and feeling the sense of urgency, Laura Casillas and Carmen Lopez took over the court for the next 4 points. Casillas set with extreme accuracy while Lopez put the ball down as she had been instructed. Once again gaining the momentum, the Lady Eagles began a run that the Beavers could not contest. 

The third set began and ended as the other sets. The Lady Eagles continued to execute their kill patterns with the help of back row defenders Katie Crockett and Charity Talbert. Valerie Stiles had 3 service aces, and even freshman Joannah Strachan and Julianna Kosa did their part on the front row, each with one kill.

In the end, the Lady Eagles attribute their success in the game to hard work, determination, and the grace of the Lord. With their first victory and the recovery of injured middle hitter, Lisa Markley, they will use this recent momentum going into this weekend’s tournament at Occidental University.