Senior led team in aces, ran defense

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

The Purdy volleyball team finished its season with eight wins, completing a campaign led by only one senior and with one junior on the squad.

Barry Wheeler, Purdy volleyball coach, said the Lady Eagles continually developed throughout the year.

“We saw the biggest improvement in developing our skills and knowledge of the game,” he said. “Our exception was to compete every game and learn the nuances of the game and to become not only great teammates by successful leaders in life.”

Lucy Lee was the squad’s only senior, and Alicia DePrada Leal was the only junior. Behind those two, four sophomores and eight freshmen comprised the team. Wheeler said Lee was a great leader for the squad.

“Lucy provided calm leadership and led the team in aces,” Wheeler said. “She was strong with right side defense and efficiently ran our offense.”

Looking forward, Wheeler said he hopes the underclassmen continue to grow.

“We hope they bring continued leadership and game management, and that they will guide the program in the right direction,” he said. 

Purdy’s best streak this season was three in a row in September, defeating Verona, Golden City and Northeast Vernon County. Wheeler said the most memorable contest, however, was a loss to Neosho, a Class 5 school, falling 25-20, 12-25 and 26-28 in the Bolivar Liberator Invitational.

Purdy’s season ended at the hands of Pierce City in straight sets, 17-25, 9-25 and 21-25, in the Class 2, District 11 Tournament.