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Dynamic duo
Sikeston seniors set numerous records in their high school careers
SIKESTON -- With the Sikeston Lady Bulldogs volleyball season coming to an end Monday night, so ended the high school careers of one of the area's most dynamic duos in Martika Davis and Rachel Beydler.
Even though these ladies may have suited up in a Sikeston volleyball jersey for the final time earlier this week in district play, they will not soon be forgotten as they have both left a permanent mark in the school record books.
"I don't think either of us knew we were setting records," said Beydler. "We were just trying to play our best and help our team out. It wasn't until our senior year that we realized we were setting records."
During the 2004 season this duo first made an appearance on the varsity hardwood. With the end of the season winding down and the team hampered by injuries, both ladies were called on as freshmen to step up and perform. Needless to say Davis and Beydler did just that, exceeding expectations and seizing the opportunity.
Davis, who moved up to finish the final game of the regular season and district play, ended with 36 kills and 10 blocks in her freshman year as the middle blocker and outside hitter. Beydler earned her spot as varsity setter at the same time as her counter part after the original varsity setter, Quinn Kaiser, was done for the season due to a broken finger. She finished her freshman campaign with 34 assists, 20 digs, and six aces.
Their freshmen year turned out to be just a small stepping stone to the what the duo would later accomplish. Both dedicated their love for the game didn't stop at seasons end as each continued to sharpen their skills during the off season, growing both mentally and physically on the court.
"For volleyball players who don't participate in other sports there is club ball," said Sikeston volleyball coach Steve Beydler who's also Rachel's father. "Rachel and Martika have played each winter working on their volleyball skills and abilities with players from other schools and towns. They gave up many weekends to sit in the gym and play volleyball. But for everything they gave up, they have gained immeasurably more."
With all the hard work and off season experience under their belt, the duo headed back to the courts for their first full season as a varsity starters. In the 2005 campaign as each player settled into their permanent positions both confidence and understanding of the game continued to grow.
Beydler, who was one of two setters in a 6-2 offense, finished the season with a respective 185 assists, 182 digs, and 33 aces while Davis tacked on 60 blocks and 152 kills.
At the end of their sophomore season they continued with club volleyball, always keeping a consistent handle on the game. It was during this off-
season that Davis and Beydler really began to gel with one of another as they continued to get better as individuals and teammates.
"All players come to practice and work out each day during the season," said the elder Beydler. "Parents and players ask me what they can do to improve, how to insure that they play more?
"The answer is work on your body and work on your game and if not more important... you have to be a team player. It is during the off season that the difference is made and that's where Martika and Rachel have done just that."
The 2006 season was when it all really started to come together for this potent duo as well as the Lady Bulldogs. It was during their junior year that the stats really started to add up as the first record was broken by Beydler.
As the only setter in the 5-1 offense, Beydler set the single season record for assists with 486. It seemed as though Davis found herself on the finishing end on most of Beydler's assist as Davis climbed to a career high total for kills in a season with 209.
"We had a really great season in our junior year," said Davis. "We found ourselves as a big part part to our team as we helped earn a second place finish in districts that year. We really had a good feel for one another on the court."
"As some coaches would say, Martika and I have a real good connection," Rachel added. "One of the things you look for in a really good team is the connection between their setter and their middle. When you have that you tend to have a very good team."
Statistically, 2006 had the largest numbers put up by the duo to date. Beydler, along with her assists had 182 digs and 47 aces. Davis also had 37 blocks to tack on to her kill total.
This year marked the final season for this one two punch as Beydler and Davis as all of the hard work and dedication came full circle as they continued to get better and build off each others abilities.
Both Davis and Beydler put their name in the single season record book this year as Davis topped the block chart with 157 while Beydler finished the season with 288 digs.
With both of their names cemented in the single season record books Davis also added a career high 236 kills and Beydler finished her season stats with 51 aces and 483 assists, only three assists shy of tying her own record she set in her junior year.
"This year (senior year) we went a little under the radar," Rachel said. "We kind of expected a bit more this year but as the year went on we began to play better and we started to play together as a team really well."
Going under the radar, the Lady Bulldogs did have some notable success this season however.
"We did win the conference tournament which was held here in Sikeston," Davis noted. "We were all really proud and excited about that."
After their disappointing loss in districts and after all the career statistics were tallied both Davis and Beydler found themselves in elite company.
Beydler now holds the career record for assists, digs, and aces finishing her high school campaign with 1188 assists, 672 digs, and 137 aces.
Davis on the other hand finds herself on top of the block category as she holds the record with 264 blocks throughout her high school career. Davis is now second on the career kills list with 633 behind Katina Collins who had 840 kills when she ended her career in 1992.
"When I run into coaches from other schools during the off-season, Rachel and Martika are the two players they ask me about," said Steve Beydler. "They ask, 'has your daughter and that tall, skinny middle hitter graduated yet?' Up till now I have been able to smile and reply 'not yet.' But that has now changed."
Coach Beydler said it was hard to express how proud he was of the duo. "They have worked hard and deserve every bit of recognition they get."
And the recognition continues to flood in as both were named to the 2007 Class 4 Southeast All-Region volleyball team.
"They have a great on-court chemistry that has put up some big numbers. Each will be missed sorely by this team, this school and this coach," Steve Beydler said.