The sixth seeded Tyrone Lady Eagles Volleyball team made history Tuesday as they upset the third ranked Cambria Heights Highlanders in four sets in the second round of PIAA District 6 playoffs.

With their season on the line, the Lady Eagles battled in a long four set match, upsetting the Highlanders 3-1. 

The Lady Eagles gained the momentum right from the start in the first set due to a service run led by freshmen Reagan Irons.

The Eagles kept the momentum by playing smart defense and slowing down Cambria Heights’ offensive hitters at the net. Toward the middle of the set Cambria Heights started to put the pressure on the Lady Eagles from the service line and were able to get back in the game. For the rest of the set neither of the teams were able to take a definite lead until Tyrone junior Makenna Bauer earned several crucial kills that propelled the Eagles to a 25-22 victory in the first set.

The next set started out with Cambria Heights earning a long service run, giving them a substantial lead. The Eagles continued to struggle and were down 18-12, but the team never gave up.  The Eagles started to earn points back, slowly closing the gap but it was too late, and he Highlanders took the set 25-18.

The Lady Eagles knew the next set was vital in order to keep the momentum on their side. The Highlanders are known for their loud student section, and the Eagles were set on silencing them. 

The Eagles began to play scrappier defense, earning the hard points that gained back the energy. The Lady Eagles’ had a phenomenal defense night, earning a total of 56 digs in all four sets.

Despite the Eagles’ strategic middle blocking the Highlanders were still able to earn points through their aggressive middle hitters. Right side hitter Makenna Bauer was finally able to put the Highlanders away by blasting several balls that the Lady Highlanders couldn’t touch. The Lady Eagles took the third set 25-23.

With the energy on their side the Lady Eagles continued to play with a high intensity. Reagan Irons again went on a service run to give the Eagles the lead, adding to her total of 21 service points. Despite this, the Highlanders began to adjust to the Eagles’ game plan and were starting to earn back points. The Eagles were taking big swings but Cambria Heights kept digging them. Eventually, pressure from Tyrone’s serves caused the Highlanders to break down. With a solid serve delivered by Senior Bri Foy, Cambria Heights shanked the pass, ending the set 27-25. 

“We all wanted this win so bad that we would do anything to keep the ball up. We worked as one solid team that followed the game plan to slow down their most offensive people and it paid off,” said Bauer.

For the first time in program history the Lady Eagles will move onto the district semifinals where they will play at Central Cambria on Thursday at 7 pm.

A student fan bus has been organized.  Any student interested in taking the bus must purchase a ticket for $2 at the athletic office by Thursday. The bus will leave at 5:45. At noon on Thursday the Athletic Department will determine if there are enough students signed up for the bus.

Stats:

Mattie Cherry – 31 assists, 2 aces, 7 digs

Makenna Bauer – 16 kills, 1 ace, 7 digs

Brianna Foy – 10 kills, 7 digs

Reagan Irons – 8 kills, 8 aces, 2 blocks, 14 digs

Ebonee Rice – 21 digs, 2 assists

Service Points:

Reagan Irons – 21

Brianna Foy – 7

Mattie Cherry – 5

Ebonee Rice – 4

Makenna Bauer – 2

Maecy Tuskovich – 2