Oran unable to handle talented Leopold squad

ORAN-- The Leopold Lady Wildcats volleyball team defeated the Oran Lady Eagles 25-10, 25-13, Thursday evening in Oran.

Oran (2-7-1) knew they would have a tough game in Leopold (13-2-1).

"We knew going in to this game how good Leopold was," Oran volleyball coach Sara Heisserer said after Thursday's game. "We knew we would have to play hard just to compete with them."

The Lady Wildcats controlled the entire first set despite several rallies and quality plays from the Lady Eagles.

The second set was another story. Oran came out of the break between the first and second sets with a renewed intensity. The Lady Eagles were able to tie the set early at points five and six and were only down 11-9 at one point as well. The Lady Wildcats rebounded by scoring seven unanswered points that in essence put the match away.

Leopold's coach Sandy Davis was pleased with her squads outing Thursday.

Josh Mills, Staff Oran senior Taylor Tenkhoff hits the ball during their match Thursday night against Leopold. The Lady Eagles lost the match in two sets, 25-10, 25-13.

Josh Mills, Staff Oran senior Taylor Tenkhoff hits the ball during their match Thursday night against Leopold. The Lady Eagles lost the match in two sets, 25-10, 25-13.

"Our girls played well," Davis said. "Our passing was a little bit off, but we came back from that. Overall I thought we played well."

Heisserer pointed to low numbers and injuries as major hindrances to her girls success.

"Our main challenge is our lower numbers," Heisserer said. "We have to battle low numbers and injuries. Those things are hard to deal with, but our attitudes remain good."

Heisserer said that her girl's attitudes and willingness to play hard are major positive attributes of Oran's program.

"All I ask of my girls to play hard," Heisserer said. " Our girls know that we are playing tough and competing, and that's what keeps our spirits high. Our girls played hard tonight and never gave up. In that aspect, tonight was a morale victory."

The Lady Eagles will be back in action tonight when the host Twin Rivers at 6 p.m.