Newton’s gym was buzzing Thursday night as the Eagles welcomed Edwards County, and the evening brought a mix of drama, resilience, and hard lessons across all three levels of play.
The freshmen kicked things off with a roller-coaster of a match. After a slow start and a 23-25 first-set loss, Newton showed poise well beyond their years. A steadier passing game and aggressive serving helped the Eagles even the score with a 25-19 win. In the decisive third, both teams traded points until Newton finally broke through, holding on for a nail-biting 15-13 victory that set the tone for the night.
The junior varsity kept that energy alive, seizing momentum early and refusing to let Edwards County pull away. Newton leaned on steady defense and clutch swings at the net, edging out a 25-21 first set before sealing the match with another tight 25-22 finish. Two matches in, the Eagles had already secured a winning night.
Varsity action, however, proved more difficult. Edwards County brought relentless pressure from the service line and at the net, forcing Newton into a defensive posture. The Eagles fell 14-25 in the opener but showed resilience in the second, clawing back from several deficits. Senior outside hitter Hydi Bierman did her best to keep Newton in the fight, pounding down 9 kills and digging 7 balls, while junior Allie Hermann added 5 kills and 6 digs of her own. Despite their push, Edwards County closed out the match 25-19, leaving Newton with a 6-7 record on the season.
There were bright spots across the lineup. Claire Probst dropped in a service ace, Amy Shull handed out 8 assists to go with 2 kills, and setter Emma Brooks chipped in with 4 assists and a kill. Senior Isabel Meinhart led the defense with 9 digs, while libero Morgan Schafer anchored the back row with 7. Senior Joslynn Pitcher and sophomore Stella Schackmann added key kills at the net, showing that Newton’s depth can still shine even in tough matches.
The Eagles won’t have long to dwell. They’re back in action Monday, Sept. 15, on their home court against Carmi. Freshmen open the evening at 5:00 p.m., followed by junior varsity at 6:00 and varsity at 7:00.
