By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
On the same day when they watched arch rival T.R. Miller break its school record for wins in a season with a win over Monroe County during Thursday's tri-match at Brewton, the W.S. Neal Lady Blue Eagles volleyball team extended their school wins record with a victory over the same Monroe County team.
The Lady Blue Eagles' 25-19, 25-14 victory was its second this season and improved their season mark to 6-8.
"We did what we had to do to win. Our focus wasn't as good as what it needed to be. I think we were focusing our attention on T.R. Miller in the second match. We have to focus on every opponent like we do T.R. Miller," W.S. Neal coach Chuck Riddle said.
Katelin Hulley had a couple of key service strings in the first set win. The Lady Blue Eagles had just a 9-8 lead when a defensive point and three points with an ace by Hulley extended that advantage to 13-8.
Later in the set Monroe County had pulled within 20-17 when a defensive point and a three-point, two-ace string by Hulley put W.S. Neal up 24-18 and within a point of set victory. That win came moments later on a missed serve by the Lady Tigers.
The Lady Blue Eagles ended set two and the match with a decisive 15-5 surge. W.S. Neal had just a 10-9 lead when an ace by Erica Cardwell, a five-point string by Jamica Thomas and a trio of points by Jessica Fountain helped secure the set win.
W.S. Neal travels to Opp Monday. Play starts at 4 p.m. with the junior varsity match followed by the varsity game.