Eagles Fall To Blair Oaks, Seckman

Sullivan fell short in an opening week that saw them face two tough opponents in Blair Oaks and Seckman.

The Lady Eagles lost in three sets to Blair Oaks in Tuesday’s season opener. On the road Thursday, they lost in two sets to Seckman.

“We knew that opening up the season with Blair Oaks and Seckman would be a really tough challenge,” said Sullivan head coach Sarah Rochleau. “They are both quality opponents with solid programs and some pretty elite athletes.”

Rochleau said they went into the games knowing that facing that caliber of opponent would provide a valuable learning experience.

She also said it exposed some of their weaknesses that they need to work on while it’s still early.

“I was really proud of my team in that they didn’t back down from the challenge and were able to stay focused and maintain a positive outlook.”

Blair Oaks

Playing a best-of-five match against the Falcons, Sullivan lost 13-25, 14-25, 26-28.

Missouri has partially adopted best-of-five games this season. Next year, each non-tournament contest will be up to a five-game series.

Blair Oaks was Sullivan’s first best-of-five opponent and after struggling through the first two sets, they pushed the Falcons down to the wire in the third.

Sullivan tallied 22 kills, led by Emma Brune’s 12. Olivia Witt had four. Maci Nolie and Halle Moss each had three.

Brune also led with 10 points and two aces.

Parker Williamson recorded eight points, one ace and an assist.

Saige Carey finished with three points, one ace and nine assists.

Nolie also had nine assists.

Seckman

Thursday’s contest in Imperial was a best-of-three, won by the Jaguars 14-25, 16-25.

Witt led the Lady Eagles with five kills and three points.

Abby Wiegers and Brune each had two kills. Carey, Nolie, Moss and Cassidy Cunningham had one.

Brune, Nolie and Carey finished with two points. Nolie led with six assists and Carey had four.

Up Next

Sullivan’s schedule doesn’t get much easier with a non-conference game scheduled Tuesday against Waynesville.

The game will serve as Sullivan’s senior night.

On Saturday, the Lady Eagles head down to Bonne Terre for the North County Invitational.