7th Grade:
The Italy Junior High Volleyball teams took on the Kopperl Lady Eagles in their season finales on Monday.

The 7th grade team was playing for a chance to go undefeated and be the undisputed district champions. If they were nervous they didn’t let it show as Jaclynn Lewis started off the first set serving four straight aces.

Kopperl was unable to return the serves to extend any volleys, instead, the Lady Eagles hoped for the 7th grade to make mistakes which didn’t happen often.

Madison Washington served several aces as well while Tara Wallis kept plays alive helping Italy to win the first set easily 25-14.

In the second set, Bailey Eubank, Bailey DeBorde, Reagan Cockerham, Kortnei Johnson, Ana Luna, Kelsey Nelson and K’Breona Davis each had a hand, a wrist and a forearm in holding back late surge from Kopperl.

Italy’s 7th grade put away the Lady Eagles in the second set 25-20 to go undefeated at 6-0 and take the district title.

Coach Tina Richards said, “Teams have struggled against our service game all season and today was no different. Plus, the girls have such a strong work ethic. They practice hard and they play to win.”

8th grade:
The Italy 8th grade team did a nice job forcing several extended volleys. An athletic Kendra Copeland worked the middle well to give her side a chance. Unfortunately, the 8th grade girls were unable to collect enough points for their efforts. Kopperl relied on a strong service game to take the first set 25-13.

Down 24-16 in the second set, the Italy 8th grade decided they were not going to go down without a fight. Jesica Wilkins, Meagan Hooker, Jessica Garcia, Paige Westbrook, Bernice Hailey and power server Monserrat Figueroa made their move, determined to force a third set.

The 8th grade team made the score 24-20 with more help from Ryisha Copeland, Taylor Turner and Jazmine Salcido, putting pressure on Kopperl.

The Lady Eagles needed only 1-point to spoil Italy’s comeback plot and finally had one drop in to win in two sets, 25-20.

The Italy 8th grade team finished the season 3-4 and had moments where they looked like they might be getting a handle on this volleyball thing.

Good luck to the 8th grade girls as they move up to the Junior Varsity next season. Coach Andrea Windham said, “These girls have learned a lot about how the game is played this year. Even against Kopperl, they were constantly in learning mode. I expect big things from them at the JV level.”

7th Grade Roster:
1 – Ana Luna
2 – Tara Wallis
3 – Reagan Cockerham
4 – K’Breona Davis
5 – Makenzie Goodwin
12 – Bailey Eubank
13 – Kortnei Johnson
25 – Kelsey Nelson
30 – Bailey DeBorde
32 – Madison Washington
42 – Jaclynn Lewis

8th Grade Roster:
10 – Jessica Garcia
11 – Taylor Patterson
14 – Ryisha Copeland
21 – Kendra Copeland
22 – Bernice Hailey
23 – Jesica Wilkins
24 – Meagan Hooker
31 – Taylor Turner
33 – Jazmine Salcido
40 – Monserrat Figueroa
42 – Astrid Perez
43 – Adriann Celis
44 – Paige Westbrook