They had lost six of their last seven games, struggling to a 6-13 record. Tuesday’s matchup against 4A No. 8 Catoosa would be a tough one, as the Lady Indians defeated the Lady Tigers earlier in the season.
As it turned out, the Lady Tigers played their most complete game of the season. They defeated Catoosa in convincing fashion, winning all three sets (25-17, 25-21, 25-14) in the most impressive win of the season.
“I thought we played our finest (match) from the very first serve to the last one,” THS head coach Don Ogden said. “I’m very happy and very pleased. We’ve been working really hard to put this kind of a show out there. Our passes were on target, our setter Katie Eagle did an outstanding job of delivering our sets.
“(Catoosa is) a great ball club. They beat us earlier in the year. They’re ranked high in 4A. I’m just tickled to death the way we played.”
The first set was tied early at 8-8. The Lady Tigers were able to go on a 8-2 run to give themselves a favorable cushion. Catoosa attempted a late rally, but the Lady Tigers were able to put it away. They recorded 11 kill shots in the game.
The second set was the closest match of the night between the two teams. The Lady Tigers jumped on them early, riding momentum to a 12-4 run. However, Catoosa slowly crawled themselves back into the game, eventually cutting the lead to 23-21. The Lady Tigers looked to be in trouble, but a bad serve from Catoosa led to a Katie Eagle killshot to win the game. The Lady Tigers dominated the third set, never allowing Catoosa to come closer than five points.
THS led by at least eight points in all three sets.
“(This win) is a measuring stick for us. We played them early in a tournament in the second or third game, and they kind of handled us. So just the progression and improvement is what we’re happy with. We just want to be on a trajectory that is improving, as we get closer to the playoffs. I feel comfortable that we’re on that path.”
Ogden notes that this is a big win at the regular season comes to an end.
“It’s mostly just mental and emotional, just to know that all the hard work paid off. We’re starting to play the kind of game we hoped we could play. It didn’t start as early as we want, but hey, we’re fine that it’s happening now. It was a great night, a great crowd, and we played really well.”
Ivee Baker led the team in kills with 12 total, and Kloe Bowin recorded nine kills. Eagle led the team in assists with 39.
The Lady Tigers will return home for their last two home games.... Click here to read full article
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