PINE BLUFF, AR- The Lady Lions are on a mission and a with a roster of eight newcomers and two returners the Lady Lions are willing to get where they are trying to go. On Tuesday September 21, 2010 the Lady Lions faced Southern Jaguars on their very own Lion territory.
“I knew the girls weren't going to let someone come on their territory and beat them, they had been really focused and were extremely excited about playing at home,” said Head Coach La'Kyva Walton. “I'm really proud of the way they just stayed focused and put them away.”
The Lady Lions had just faced Southern Jags at the Nicholls State Invitaitonal where they were swept in three by the Lady Jags 25-18, 25-9, 25-23.
“It was very ugly and extremely disappointing, although I knew with an entire new team it wasn't going to happen over night, we just had to work harder,” Walton said. “We really had to focus on the Lady Jags middle blocker standout out Jaquincia Williams who finished with 17 kills, she is really competitive and hits a heavy ball,” says Walton.
The Lady Lions jumped out to a slow start trailing the Southern Jaguars 0-4 in the 1st set.
“I think they may have been a little nervous,” say Walton, “but once they found a rhythm things began to smooth out.”
After winning the first set 25-23 and the second set 25-14 the Lady Jags came back with more intensity taking the third set 26-24. The Lady Lions stayed focused and immediately jumped out on the Lady Jags in the fourth set with Senior, Right Side Hitter, Jasmine Jacobs of Desoto, TX serving 14 straight points. Jacobs finished the match with 11 kills, 5 aces and 10 digs.
“I've never seen her be so consistent,” she is truly stepping up and being a senior right now; she is my only senior,” Walton said. Freshman standout, Outside Hitter, Britta Wilmers from Rheinbach, Germany finished the match with 32 kills and only 5 hitting errors. “It's the best match of my life,” says Wilmers.
The Lady Lions libero is a transfer from Wiley College and she finished with 17 digs and 3 aces and junior setter Alexis Lowe who is also a transfer from Wiley College finished the match with 35 assist.
“The girls are proud of their win but are aware that that's behind them now and they must move forward and build on what they have accomplished,” says Head Coach La'Kyva Walton.
The Lady Lions are currently 2-1 in conference. The next home match is scheduled for Thursday October 23, 2010 at 6p.m. against Mississippi Valley State University in the Hper Complex.
