Lady Eagles Split Tri-Match on Senior Night

Six seniors, Bailey DiNunzio, Savannah Fonville, Mary Hall, Aniya Jackson, Emily Thornton and Monica Willingham, won the last game played on their home floor with a 23-25, 25-18, 15-13 defeat of Wetumpka in the second game of a tri-match Thursday night. ACA lost to PCA in the first match of the night by scores of 13-25, 25-22, 13-15.

The Lady Eagles started slowly against PCA and never led in the game, except 1-0 on the first point of the match. In game two, the Eagles again started slowly and trailed 11-19 before scoring 14 of the next 17 points to even the match 1-1. Alyson Thornton and Savannah Fonville served the last 12 points to clinch the game. In game three, momentum was in the Eagle’s corner after Mary Reagan Hilyer made two saves during a rally and helped ACA take a 12-11 lead. The Lady Panthers withstood the scare and finished off the Eagles 15-13. Alyson Thornton led the offense with eight kills and three aces while Mary Hall, Jordan Smithee and Monica Willingham each added four kills. Emily Thornton had 21 assists and three aces with Savannah Fonville contributing 11 digs.

Against Wetumpka, the Eagles led game one 17-13, but let the lead slip away losing 23-25. With game two tied 7-7, ACA pulled away and evened the match to force a third game. The third game was close throughout, but the Eagles prevailed 15-13 to send the seniors home winners. Jordan Smithee hit the ball as well as she had all year and had 15 kills in the match. Monica Willingham added four kills. Emily Thornton had 16 assists while her sister, Alyson had eleven. Savannah Fonville, who spent most of the night diving on the floor for balls had nine digs.

The cross country seniors were also recognized on Thursday night. The five runners were Payton DeCapite, Marlo Duggan, Kyndall Foley, Judd Hardin and Timia Nelson.