PHILIPSBURG – All systems go! 

Tuesday the Bald Eagle Area volleyball team traveled to go up against a very stingy Philipsburg-Osceola squad on the Mounties home court. The Eagles were primed and ready to go against the former District 6 champion Mounties. 

Offensively, the Eagles had its outside game working as well as its serving and setters in the 3-0 Laurel Highlands victory. Bald Eagle won 25-23, 25-22 and 25-18.

“I think they did really well tonight. They came in ready to go right away. I told them we have to be. Here is a good team that knows how to win but we are also a team that knows how to win,” said Bald Eagle coach Taylor Giedroc. “I thought we did very well.”

In the first game, the Eagles fell behind early but was able to mount a comeback to take the win.

After three side outs, Bald Eagle got two consecutive service points by Gabbie Perry. 

However, the Mounties answered the call on two-by-two through serves by Megan Johnson, knotting things at four.

Tied at five, Philipsburg-Osceola went on the games’ first big scoring run, posting an 8-0 run. 

In the run, Avery Wood was sharp as she notched a block, a blast and a spike. 

Trailing 13-6, the Eagles battled their way back to get back into the contest at 11-13 thanks to the serves of Taylor Habovick. Habovick rolled out four consecutive service points, two of which wasn’t brought back over the net. 

The Mounties held the advantage, 21-15 after strong serves from Johnson. 

But back would come the Mounties as they trailed late 22-19.

The Eagles would finish the contest outscoring the Mounties 5-1 the rest of the way. Picking up the final points from the line was Nora Eppley, taking the game 25-23.

In the second game, the contest was just as close. It would be another game where long runs from the service line would help the Eagles muscle out its second game.

Leading her team in service points was Olivia Taylor. Taylor scored five early service points to stretch a 3-3 contest into a 8-3 lead. Other Bald Eagle multiple scorers were Eppley (2) and Habovick. 

Highlighting the second game was the outside play of Leah Bryan and Perry who would mix up their shot selection, finding the open spaces and defensively tough at the net.

Also making some clutch hits were Emily Silvis and teammate Emilie Grant. 

The Eagles would again muscle out a strong 25-22 victory.

In the final match, the game belonged to Bald Eagle. Eppley was again scorching on the service line posting six consecutive points. Besides making her presence known up front Perry also had a strong outing hitting five consecutive service points.

From beginning to end, the Eagles were in total control, taking the contest 25-18 to take home the hard fought 3-0 victory.

Bald Eagle Area  3, PO 0

BEA   25 25  25

PO     23 22  18