Fall Sports in Review: The Lady Eagles Look Back On A Great Season

By Ebonee Rice, Staff Writer|November 19, 2019

Lucia Isenberg

Tyrone 2019 Volleyball Team played came together as a team and the result was the best season in school history.

The Lady Eagles were looking forward to the 2019 season with five experienced returning starters and two talented new freshmen to make up the 2019 team. The season did not disappoint and was the best in Tyrone history with the girls making it to the district semi-finals and finishing with a record of 14-5.

This year’s team had a different edge than teams in the past. After losing only one senior last year, this team carried a very balanced offensive led by Makenna Bauer, Brianna Foy, and Reagan Irons.

A huge asset to the team was returning middle hitter Courtney Williams who is the team’s most defensive player at the net. With an experienced setter, Mattie Cherry, and a solid defense back row, the Lady Eagles were looking forward to a long season. This year the girls had a solid, united goal to make it to the final District Playoffs. This gave them a dominant attitude that carried throughout the season.

The Lady Eagles opened up the season with a win against Philipsburg Osceola in a long, gritty five set match. The team continued to find their footing, but lost momentum against Penns Valley and Bald Eagle. The team bounced back from the pair of losses and went on a five game winning streak. Unfortunately, the team faced two tough losses against the Hollidaysburg Tigers and the Bald Eagles. After taking those losses to heart the Lady Eagles showed up against Penns Valley, a team they had previously lost to.

The team came out with a never before seen energy and completely dominated the Rams. This game marked a turning point for the Lady Eagles. Right-side hitter, Makenna Bauer, came alive and couldn’t be stopped for the rest of the season. Setter Mattie Cherry and middle Courtney Williams connected in an entirely new way. The Lady Eagles started to play better defense and showed a never before seen aggressive offense. The teams’ chemistry and competitiveness found an entirely new level that paved the path for them in playoffs.

From then on the Lady Eagles didn’t let up. The Eagles continued to put other teams away. In their last game of the season, the Lady Eagles made history, beating the Bellwood Devils in their own gym for the first time in history. The Lady Eagles weren’t finished though. The Eagles swept the Penn Cambria Panthers in 3 in the first set of playoffs. 

With a solid sweep of the Panthers, the Eagles geared up to face Cambria Heights, who was ranked number three in the district. With their season on the line, the Lady Eagles came out with an unstoppable momentum. In a tough four set match, the Lady Eagles came out on top, and for the first time in Tyrone history, would be playing in the District Semifinals.

The Lady Eagles travelled to play number 2 in the district, Central Cambria. Central Cambria had a heavy offense and are currently ranked number 6 in the state. The Lady Eagles battled hard, but the Red Devils took the game 3-0. 

“This has been the most competitive group of girls in my tenure as head coach the last six seasons.  I am beyond proud of the players and coaching staff for the program’s first ever District 6 semi-final berth in its history.  Every player accepted their role and put the team first. That type of mentality is characteristic of successful programs,” says Head Coach Mike Kraft.

Despite the loss, the Lady Eagles are proud of their season. The team made history and changed what ‘Tyrone Volleyball’ means.The team itself was successful, but several individual players were recognized for their exceptional season. Junior, Mattie Cherry, got Mountain League first team, beating out all the other setters in the league, except for Bald Eagle’s. Junior, Makenna Bauer, received Mountain League second Team, earning the spot over dozens of other hitters. Bauer also received a spot on the first team All District team and Cherry recived a spot on the second team All District. The Eagles accomplished a lot this season, going far in the playoffs, but also pushing the winning culture of the program to new levels. 

“Overall I think as a team we grew so much from the beginning to the end of the season. Even though we didn’t win districts or states we definitely made a name for Tyrone volleyball which itself is rewarding. I was honored to play with the seniors since 7th grade and it will be a big change not having them in the gym next year, but I’m excited to see how far we can take the program in playoffs next year,” said junior Makenna Bauer.

The team is very excited about next season . While losing two seniors they have five returning starters who are hungry for another great season. Building on this season the girls have a solid team chemistry and level of competitiveness that are driving them. The team is hoping to improve and win the District Championship next fall.