Volleyball girls showing improvement as new look Lady Gladiators are on the rise

Image: Italy Lady Gladiator varsity team members Monserrat Figueroa(14), Jaclynn Lewis(15), Paige Westbrook(12), Bailey Eubank(7), Madison Washington(10) and Kortnei Johnson(3) are ready to challenge Kerens in their first match of a round-robin tournament held inside Italy Coliseum.

Italy Lady Gladiator varsity team members Monserrat Figueroa(14), Jaclynn Lewis(15), Paige Westbrook(12), Bailey Eubank(7), Madison Washington(10) and Kortnei Johnson(3) are ready to challenge Kerens in their first match of a round-robin tournament held inside Italy Coliseum. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) soars in for the swat with Tara Wallis(5), Bailey Eubank(7) and Kortnei Johnson(3) backing her up and Lady Gladiator Volleyball head coach Morgan Mathews living every moment with her players.

Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) soars in for the swat with Tara Wallis(5), Bailey Eubank(7) and Kortnei Johnson(3) backing her up and Lady Gladiator Volleyball head coach Morgan Mathews living every moment with her players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) serves to Kerens.

Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) serves to Kerens. (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington(10) tries to win the battle above the net for Italy.

Madison Washington(10) tries to win the battle above the net for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Madison Washington(10) wins the joust.

Italy’s Madison Washington(10) wins the joust. (Barry Byers)

Image: Setter Bailey Eubank(7) covers the court to setup her teammates Monserrat Figueroa(14) and Madison Washington(10).

Setter Bailey Eubank(7) covers the court to setup her teammates Monserrat Figueroa(14) and Madison Washington(10). (Barry Byers)

Image: Monserrat Figueroa(14) makes a play at the net for Italy.

Monserrat Figueroa(14) makes a play at the net for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Monserrat Figueroa(14) keeps the ball live with a bump to her teammates.

Monserrat Figueroa(14) keeps the ball live with a bump to her teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gaining altitude to spike the point is Italy’s high-flyer Kortnei Johnson(3).

Gaining altitude to spike the point is Italy’s high-flyer Kortnei Johnson(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) blocks a Kerens’ return.

Italy’s Kortnei Johnson(3) blocks a Kerens’ return. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paige Westbrook(12) reacts to a crosscourt return from Kerens that evades teammates Madison Washington(10) and Bailey Eubank(7).

Paige Westbrook(12) reacts to a crosscourt return from Kerens that evades teammates Madison Washington(10) and Bailey Eubank(7). (Barry Byers)

Image: On the spot is Italy’s Bailey Eubank(7) to setup teammate Madison Washington(10) at the net.

On the spot is Italy’s Bailey Eubank(7) to setup teammate Madison Washington(10) at the net. (Barry Byers)

Image: Defender Tara Wallis(5) bumps the ball up to setup Italy’s offense.

Defender Tara Wallis(5) bumps the ball up to setup Italy’s offense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) gets a piece of the ball to give teammates Tara Wallis(5) and Kortnei Johnson(3) time to react.

Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) gets a piece of the ball to give teammates Tara Wallis(5) and Kortnei Johnson(3) time to react. (Barry Byers)

Image: OUT!!! Communication is key in volleyball.

OUT!!! Communication is key in volleyball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Monserrat Figueroa(14) serves up a winner against Kerens.

Italy’s Monserrat Figueroa(14) serves up a winner against Kerens. (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington(10) drops back to keep the ball in play for Italy.

Madison Washington(10) drops back to keep the ball in play for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lillie Perry(12) patrols the net with help from Ashlyn Jacinto and Janae Robertson.

Lillie Perry(12) patrols the net with help from Ashlyn Jacinto and Janae Robertson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy JV Lady Gladiator Halee Turner(3) prepares to serve.

Italy JV Lady Gladiator Halee Turner(3) prepares to serve. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Hannah Washington(7) and Halee Turner(3) backup their blockers.

Italy’s Hannah Washington(7) and Halee Turner(3) backup their blockers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Paige Westbrook(12) and Kortnei Johnson(3) create a wall above the net while Bailey Eubank(7), Jaclynn Lewis(15) and Monserrat Figueroa(14) back them up.

Italy’s Paige Westbrook(12) and Kortnei Johnson(3) create a wall above the net while Bailey Eubank(7), Jaclynn Lewis(15) and Monserrat Figueroa(14) back them up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paige Westbrook(12) is in the zone as she taps one over the Kerens’ blockers for a point.

Paige Westbrook(12) is in the zone as she taps one over the Kerens’ blockers for a point. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Fans of the Year, Alice Riddle, and her daughter, Joy Moneyhon, are in the crowd to support the Lady Gladiators during their round-robin volleyball tournament.

Gladiator Fans of the Year, Alice Riddle, and her daughter, Joy Moneyhon, are in the crowd to support the Lady Gladiators during their round-robin volleyball tournament. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Lady Gladiators enjoy a break from the action during their Venus Tournament in their fancy new old gold uniforms. Pictured are: Taylor Turner, K’Breona Davis, Paige Westbrook, Bailey Eubank, Halee Turner, Madison Washington, Monserrat Figueroa, Cassidy Childers, Jaclynn Lewis, Kortnei Johnson, Kelsey Nelson and Tara Wallis. Looking good, Ladies!

The Lady Gladiators enjoy a break from the action during their Venus Tournament in their fancy new old gold uniforms. Pictured are: Taylor Turner, K’Breona Davis, Paige Westbrook, Bailey Eubank, Halee Turner, Madison Washington, Monserrat Figueroa, Cassidy Childers, Jaclynn Lewis, Kortnei Johnson, Kelsey Nelson and Tara Wallis. Looking good, Ladies! (Kelly Lewis)

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