Faith Academy volleyball comes close to huge district win
CAPTION: Faith Academy senior Hadley Shipley led the Lady Flames in multiple categories during the loss to Central Texas Christian Oct. 15. Photo by Stennis Shotts
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball team gave Temple Central Texas Christian all it wanted Oct. 15.
The Lady Lions fought from two sets down to win the match 20-25, 28-26, 22-25, 25-22, 16-14 to stay in second place in the District 4-3A standings of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
The Lady Flames (15-16-2, 6-4) remain in third place.
“They realize the things they can do,” Faith head coach Erin Sawyer said. “It’s because the program is player-led. I’m proud of the mindset. Whenever we make a mistake, it’s ‘yes we made a mistake. But it’s what we do afterwards that defines us.'”
Senior Hadley Shipley led Faith with 29 assists, 13 kills, a block and 32 digs, followed by freshman Ella Claiborne with 15 kills and six blocks. Senior Abbye Blackington had 13 assists, 23 digs, 4 aces and 10 kills. Junior Natalie Weems had 10 kills. Senior Jillian Martin also had four aces, 14 digs and an assist.
Sawyer pointed out the Lady Flames have accomplished plenty already.
First, they have a shot at a season where they are .500 or better in terms of record.
“In the last three years, they’ve always had a losing record,” the coach said. “It is a turning point for the girls. The girls coming up in the program are working hard, and they want to do well and are invested in doing different things. We’re right there on the cusp.”
Second, the Lady Flames have created a short memory when it comes to mishaps. That was a key against CTC.
“I definitely think we should have won,” Sawyer said. “And we made the minor mistakes. They worked so hard, and they lost. Yes we’re not perfect. Shake it off and on to the next point. We have to keep going and working hard, and we can’t give up.”
As she thought back to the CTC match, Sawyer called the outcome “bittersweet” because it could have gone either way. And she believes her team is ready for the next stretch — the end of the regular season and the playoffs.
“They fought and worked hard,” she said. “I’m so proud of my girls. If we play this way going out, man alive, we’ll give them a run for their money.”
Faith travels to San Marcos Academy Thursday, Oct. 17. The junior varsity plays at 5 p.m. and the varsity follows.
CAPTION: Junior Natalie Weems is known for her work at the net. Photo by Stennis Shotts
