Volleyball Advances to Regional Tournament

The+Lady+Eagles+celebrate+after+defeating+rival+Decatur+to+advance+to+the+next+round+of+the+playoffs.++%28Campbell+Wilmont%2FThe+Talon+News%29

The Lady Eagles celebrate after defeating rival Decatur to advance to the next round of the playoffs. (Campbell Wilmont/The Talon News)

Ashlynn Roberts, Reporter

For the third year in a row, the Lady Eagles volleyball team advances to the regional semifinals with the goal of qualifying for the state tournament. With only two more games left until state, the Lady Eagles are very capable of achieving this. The Lady Eagles (24-18, 7-3) is coming off of a huge win Tuesday night against their district rival and former coach’s team, the Decatur Eagles.

“I think beating Decatur was exciting because the girls were so excited,” Argyle Head Volleyball Coach Megan Degroot said, “It was one of their goals from the beginning of the year, to take care of business against Decatur and prove that they can succeed without [Coach] Oberle and they can be even better.”

Even though the Lady Eagles opened district play on a rocky start, they soon found their niche and finished second in district 9-4A. Leading them this season has been seniors Danielle Davis and Sophie Betzhold, who have both been key members of this year’s team.

“I think it’s really important to keep the attitude of all the girls positive and be a role model to the younger kids and keep them motivated and keep pushing them to be the best they can be because we all want the same goal,” Davis said.

Coach Degroot explained that she couldn’t ask for two better seniors as a first year head coach.

“I believe they have taken on the leadership role in a different aspect, not just as a player on the court but also off the court and making sure everyone stays on the same page physically and mentally as a teammate,” Degroot said.

When asked about their mentality going into their final stretch of playoff games, the pair both said that they want to end their careers at Argyle on a high note.

“This game could be my last,” Betzhold said, “ I need to leave it all on the court.”

Even though early-graduate Davis will be continuing her volleyball career in college this Spring, she still plans on treating every game like it’s her final one.

“Play every game like it’s your last because it could be,” Davis said.

Come support your Lady Eagles on November 10th as they take on Pleasant Grove High School. The game will be held at Mesquite Poteet High School, with the first serve at 6 p.m.