Italy volleyball team competes in YMCA championship game

Image: Tara Wallis leaps for a one-handed return in the Championship — Italy’s defense relied on their athleticism to reach the YMCA’s Volleyball Tournament Championship game for 7th and 8th Grade girls.

Tara Wallis leaps for a one-handed return in the Championship — Italy’s defense relied on their athleticism to reach the YMCA’s Volleyball Tournament Championship game for 7th and 8th Grade girls. (Barry Byers)

Image: Serving up wins — Tara Wallis and Bailey Eubank practice their serves before their round two match against Waxahachie. Italy eventually won both sets.

Serving up wins — Tara Wallis and Bailey Eubank practice their serves before their round two match against Waxahachie. Italy eventually won both sets. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ashlyn gets set — Ashlyn Jacinto prepares to take a practice serve during the YMCA hosted volleyball tournament.

Ashlyn gets set — Ashlyn Jacinto prepares to take a practice serve during the YMCA hosted volleyball tournament. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey’s ready — Kelsey Nelson, Jozie Perkins and Jaclynn Lewis get ready for the serve.

Kelsey’s ready — Kelsey Nelson, Jozie Perkins and Jaclynn Lewis get ready for the serve. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey serves — Bailey Eubank serves against Waxahachie to help Italy win in two sets.

Bailey serves — Bailey Eubank serves against Waxahachie to help Italy win in two sets. (Barry Byers)

Image: Over the top — Italy’s Tara Wallis strategically drops the ball back over the net for a point.

Over the top — Italy’s Tara Wallis strategically drops the ball back over the net for a point. (Barry Byers)

Image: Power game — Italy’s Madison Washington prepares to rocket one over the net.

Power game — Italy’s Madison Washington prepares to rocket one over the net. (Barry Byers)

Image: Going for it — Jaclynn Lewis prepares to serve against Waxahachie.

Going for it — Jaclynn Lewis prepares to serve against Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

Image: High level of play — Madison Washington gets the block against Waxahachie and gets a point on the board for Italy.

High level of play — Madison Washington gets the block against Waxahachie and gets a point on the board for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defensive effort — Madison Washington returns one back over the net.

Defensive effort — Madison Washington returns one back over the net. (Barry Byers)

Image: Celebrating a point — Madison Washingon(30), Hannah Washington(8), Jaclynn Lewis and Bailey Eubank congratulate one another on earning a point.

Celebrating a point — Madison Washingon(30), Hannah Washington(8), Jaclynn Lewis and Bailey Eubank congratulate one another on earning a point. (Barry Byers)

Image: Serve it to me! — 7th Grader Cassidy Childers gets set for the upcoming play.

Serve it to me! — 7th Grader Cassidy Childers gets set for the upcoming play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making the play — Italy’s Hannah Washington keeps the volley going.

Making the play — Italy’s Hannah Washington keeps the volley going. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making sure — Bailey Eubank chases a ball heading out of bounds.

Making sure — Bailey Eubank chases a ball heading out of bounds. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach demonstrates — Coach Kimberly Nelson shows the team some moves before the championship game against Maypearl.

Coach demonstrates — Coach Kimberly Nelson shows the team some moves before the championship game against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hustle play — Tara Wallis puts those knee pads to good use and digs a ball sending it back over to Maypearl’s defense.

Hustle play — Tara Wallis puts those knee pads to good use and digs a ball sending it back over to Maypearl’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: She’s an ace! — 8th grader Jaclynn Lewis serves against Maypearl during the championship game

She’s an ace! — 8th grader Jaclynn Lewis serves against Maypearl during the championship game (Barry Byers)

Image: Warning! — Madison Washington takes a practice serve before the championship game against Maypearl.

Warning! — Madison Washington takes a practice serve before the championship game against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Save for a point — Kelsey Nelson sends the ball back over her head for a point against Maypearl.

Save for a point — Kelsey Nelson sends the ball back over her head for a point against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: With the game intensifying, Kelsey Nelson serves while Madison Washington(30) and Bailey Eubank(2) hope for the best.

With the game intensifying, Kelsey Nelson serves while Madison Washington(30) and Bailey Eubank(2) hope for the best. (Barry Byers)

Image: Incoming! — No worries. Jaclynn Lewis returns this ball back to Maypearl.

Incoming! — No worries. Jaclynn Lewis returns this ball back to Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey reaches — Kelsey Nelson extends to keep the ball in play.

Kelsey reaches — Kelsey Nelson extends to keep the ball in play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Maddy leaps — Madison Washington tries to block a return by Maypearl.

Maddy leaps — Madison Washington tries to block a return by Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2 good — Bailey Eubank(2) keeps the ball alive while Madison Washington(30) and Jaclynn Lewis converge on the play. Italy finished as the YMCA’s Volleyball Tournament Runner-Ups.

2 good — Bailey Eubank(2) keeps the ball alive while Madison Washington(30) and Jaclynn Lewis converge on the play. Italy finished as the YMCA’s Volleyball Tournament Runner-Ups. (Barry Byers)

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