EATON — Eaton’s volleyball team is off to a 3-0 start after the first week of the season.
The Eagles picked up wins over National Trail, Dixie and Oakwood.
Eaton opened the season with a 25-9, 25-17, 25-11 win at National Trail on Monday, Aug. 20.
“I think we played really scrappy defense and served the ball really well. It also doesn’t hurt when you go 32 for 33 in serve receive. It’s always a challenge to start your season on a Monday night away from home,” Eaton coach Parker Fields said. “I was happy with our ability to control the match from start to finish. Always love going back to Trail, and getting to talk volleyball with Joy (Yeazel). Her team just keeps getting better and better.”
Shay Perry and Courtney Giffen each had six kills, while Ava Miller added five. Maley Tinstman had 22 assists. Kayleigh Michael led the team with four aces.
On Tuesday, Eaton cruised by visiting Dixie in straight sets 25-13, 25-7, 25-18.
Miller led the team with eight kills. Perry added seven, while Giffen and Kylee Pitsinger added six each. Tinstman had 20 assists and seven service aces.
As a team, Eaton had 14 aces.
“This was another match that was determined at the service line. We served 95 percent, had 14 aces as a team, and had a 2.56 service rating. When you are that tough from back there, you will be hard to beat,” Fields said. “I thought our seniors really led us, and I’m really happy with the way the kids are embracing the “Us over I” concept.”
Eaton began league play with a trip to Oakwood on Thursday and came away with a 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 25-15 win.
“Oakwood has a really strong left side. Their Libero and setter are both experienced. We passed the ball really well against them but our hitting percentage was low,” Fields said. “(I’m) really proud that we overcame some adversity in set two and really kept the momentum down the stretch. We made some system and personnel adjustments between (sets) two and three that really helped us in the back half of the match. We served tough down the stretch, and played really good defense, which ultimately wore Oakwood down.”
Perry collected a team-high 11 kills and had 2 1/2 half blocks.
Pitsinger had five kills, while Becca Mowen added five kills.
Annika Gels had 16 digs to lead the team.
Tinstman had 23 assists, seven digs and four aces.
Carsyn Lammers added eight assists. Michael added four aces and four digs.
Eaton has an early season test this week as they battle a pair of the league powers Monroe and Bellbrook.
The Eagles were scheduled to play at Monroe on Tuesday, Aug. 28, before hosting defending league champion Bellbrook on Thursday.
“Our focus will be to continue to play as a team, be enthusiastic, and have fun. We have also got to maintain our service and passing consistency. We really need to improve our attacking percentage this week if we want to be successful against teams who are able to receive serve in an effective manner,” Fields said. “(I’m) really proud of how well our seniors are leading the team this season. Experience and leadership can take you a long way.”
Eaton is currently ranked 10th in the area coaches poll in Division I-II. Bellbrook is No. 4.
