Lady Tigers wrap season of improvement at districts

If you want an idea how much Republic’s volleyball team improved over the course of the 2019 sea- son, just look at its results against conference rival Webb City. When the two teams squared off during the regular season, Republic managed to win just 26 points all night in a two-set loss. When they crossed paths again in the district tournament, Republic won 25 points in the opening set, eventually pushing the top seed to three sets before los- ing in the district semifinal.
Republic entered district play with the No. 5 seed in a five-team district. The Lady Tigers knocked off fourth- seeded Joplin before put- ting a scare into Webb City. Coach Allison Davis said her players had something to prove.
“We just wanted to prove some people wrong. We wanted to prove that ... we deserve to be respected in our conference and also our district. I think that’s what motivated these girls, and (they) came out on fire,” she said.
In the first set of the semifinal against Webb City, freshman Avery Riggs provided a big boost with the Lady Tigers trailing 6-5. She served five straight winning points to put the Lady Tigers on top 10-6, raising the intensity level on Republic’s side of the net. Webb City eventually clawed back to tie the score 20-20, and the teams were tied at 23 before Republic scored two straight to take a one-set lead.
In the second set, the Cardinals jumped ahead 12-8, but Republic won four of the next five points to pull within one. From there, Webb City won 11 of 15 points to take control, evening the score at one set apiece. The Car- dinals won 11 of the first 15 points in the third set and never looked back.
The loss ended Republic’s inaugural season under Davis, and it marked the last time on the court for seniors Abby Mckee, Rylee Moseman, Emma Pearce and Carle Ward.
“I’m going to remember
the seniors and how memorable they made my first year. They worked hard, and at the beginning of the season I told them, ‘What kind of legacy do you want to leave?’ And tonight in the locker room, I told them they did exactly what they wanted to do. They led this team with positivity, with dedication, with motivation, and with a whole bunch of heart. And that’s what I’m going to remember most,” Davis said.
Republic ends its season 12-15-3. That’s double its win total of 2018.