By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
On one hand, their accomplishment indicates struggles by preceding teams. On the other side, the W.S. Neal Lady Blue Eagles school record fourth win in a season also indicates a step in the right direction.
W.S. Neal broke its school season record for wins Thursday when it swept a tri-match against visiting Monroe County and Escambia County. Its current three-game winning streak is also a school first.
W.S. Neal (4-5) downed Monroe County 25-18, 25-12.
W.S. Neal then beat Escambia County for the third time this season with a 25-19, 25-14 decision.
W.S. Neal came away with a split in Tuesday's tri-match at Flomaton.
The Lady Blue Eagles were drilled by the host Lady Hurricanes 25-6, 25-7, 25-11 in the opening match.
W.S. Neal came back in the nightcap to beat Escambia County 25-21, 25-27, 15-12 in a match that used the best of three format.
Caitlyn Blackman led the first set victory with five points, three aces and a kill. Jessica Fountain had three points with an ace, while Maggie Crutchfield posted a pair of kills.
W.S. Neal had leads of 6-3, 16-11, 17-13 and 23-22 slip
away in set two despite four points and two aces by Molly Carlson.
In the final set, the Lady Blue Eagles overcame an early 5-3 deficit and still trailed 11-10 before a defensive point and an ace by Crutchfield put them ahead for good.
W.S. Neal was able to win that match despite the fact it missed 23 serves.
The Lady Blue Eagles junior varsity lost their only match played at Flomaton, as they fell to the host school 25-7, 25-11.
W.S. Neal's next action is Monday when it plays at Central (Fla.). Action gets underway with the junior varsity match at 4 p.m. followed by the varsity game at 5 p.m.
W.S. Neal will also be on the road Tuesday for its fourth encounter of the season with Escambia County, this time at Atmore. That contest is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. with a varsity only match.