Lady Eagles Volleyball has Record Breaking Season

By Makenna Bauer, Staff Writer|November 19, 2018

Lucia Isenberg

The Lady Eagles first home game is this Thursday at 7:15.

The Lady Eagles finished the season 14-5, the best record in Tyrone Girls Volleyball history. Their only losses on the season were to the eventual state champions, Bald Eagle Area, Penns Valley, and West Shamokin in the PIAA playoffs.  The girls also improved tremendously on last year’s record of 8-10.

“It was the best season we have had in Tyrone program history. I can’t be disappointed,” said Head Coach Mike Kraft. “I told the girls that they need to be proud of what they have accomplished in such a short time.  We battled sicknesses, absences, and injuries throughout the season. We adjusted and contained our composure when the girls could have lost confidence. I think we learned a lot about ourselves and what this program is about this season.” 

The season was one of firsts. These included the first time in school history that three players were nominated to the all-conference team.  Sophomore Courtney Williams and  junior Ebonee Rice made the second team, and senior Kylee Gooding made the first team.

Also, sophomore Mattie Cherry recorded her 1,000th assist, junior Ebonee Rice hit 500 digs, and senior Kylee Gooding hit 500 kills.

“Going into next season, we now have the confidence to play tougher teams and win in pressurized games,” said sophomore Makenna Bauer.

Junior captain Ebonee Rice added, “I think we proved to ourselves what we are capable of and that will carry into next season to help us improve.”

One of the best individual seasons in recent history came from senior caption Kylee Gooding.

“This past season was more than I could possibly dream of. My teammates and coaches were awesome, I couldn’t have asked for a better senior year,” said Gooding, “Yes overall the team had its ups and downs; we had a hard season, but we fought through it together as a team. I am thankful I could be a part of the Tyrone volleyball program even though it was just for one season.” Gooding will further her volleyball career at Penn State Mont Alto and major in Nursing.

As for the future, Coach Kraft is hoping that the taste of success this season will lead to even greater things in the future.

“My assistant and I often say that ‘life is full of mistakes.’ I told them that the feeling they have in their gut right now [after West Shamokin game] needs to be the driving force behind their desire to get better and their desire to achieve greater,” said Kraft.

The players now enter into club season where the girls will have tryouts for different teams. These teams will play in tournaments on the weekends through the winter and practice throughout the week.