Lady Bucs Rally Past Anahuac in Five-Set Thriller

By Sharisa Nelson, Sports Reporter

  The East Chambers Lady Bucs volleyball team showed determination and resilience on the road, rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat the Anahuac Lady Panthers in five sets on Tuesday, October 6, before earning another five-set victory over Kirbyville on Friday, October 9.

  East Chambers opened the week against Anahuac and came out strong, taking the first set 25-10. The Lady Panthers answered back, winning the second set 25-16 and the third set 25-21 to take a 2-1 advantage.

  Facing the possibility of a loss, the Lady Bucs regrouped and battled back in the fourth set, earning a 25-22 victory to force a deciding fifth set. East Chambers carried that momentum into the final set, pulling away for a 15-8 win to secure the 3-2 match victory.

  Several Lady Bucs contributed to the comeback. Senior Mikeala Quave and freshman Kenley George led the team with 12 kills apiece, while junior Makayla Montoya added seven. Sophomore Presley Simino recorded five kills, and junior Kate McDaniel contributed three.

  Montoya led the defensive effort with 24 digs, followed by senior Jimena Vargas with 21 and sophomore Adi Blank with 13. Senior setter Addie Parker distributed 24 assists to help lead the Lady Bucs’ offense. Quave also contributed five blocks, while Simino added two.

  The Lady Bucs carried their momentum into Friday’s road matchup against Kirbyville, where they once again found themselves battling through five sets. East Chambers dropped the opening two sets, 16-25 and 23-25, but refused to back down. The team responded with a 25-17 victory in the third set and a 25-20 win in the fourth to even the match at two sets apiece.

  East Chambers then controlled the deciding set, winning 15-9 to complete another come-from-behind victory, 3-2.

  Quave paced the Lady Bucs’ attack with 15 kills, followed by Simino with 14 and Montoya with seven. Parker delivered an impressive 35 assists, helping keep the offense moving throughout the match.

  Blank led the team with 13 digs, while Vargas recorded 12 and Montoya added 10. Simino contributed four blocks, and Quave finished with three.

  The victory over Kirbyville marked the third time this season East Chambers had defeated the Wildcats and continued the Lady Bucs’ strong recent stretch of play.

  The Lady Bucs returned home Tuesday, October 13, to host the Kountze Lady Lions. They will travel to face the Tarkington Lady Horns on Friday, October 16, with the match scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

  With district play continuing, East Chambers will look to build on its recent success and maintain the determination that has helped the team overcome adversity in back-to-back five-set victories.