The East Marion Eagles proved once again this week why they’ve been the class of Region 7-1/3A the past several years.
Coming into the week the Eagles, now 8-1 and 7-1 in district play, sat atop the district standings and held firm on their grasp of a playoff spot while defeating their two bitter rivals.
The Eagles got behind 2-0 at West Marion Monday before storming back and taking sets three and four to force a do-or-die fifth set. They fell behind once again, 13-10, but battled back after a key block to win the set 18-16 and the match 3-2.
Head coach Mandell Echols said he’s feeling really good about his team after it showed the mental toughness to fight back from a 2-0 hole.
“That tells me that they actually want it, they’re not going to quit and that they have matured over time,” he said.
Then on Tuesday, East Marion swept Columbia 3-0 and got revenge on its season-opening 3-2 loss to the Wildcats Aug. 19. Echols said it came down to the Eagles’ mindset preparing for the match.
“Against Columbia they already had it in their mind because they lost to (Columbia) the first game of the season that they weren’t going to beat us again. They already had it made up in their mind that they were going to win,” he said. “I like that because they’re focused.”
East Marion played Salem (13-7, 7-1) Thursday night with the Region 7-1/3A title and a home playoff match essentially on the line, but results were unavailable. The Eagles beat Salem earlier in the season so a second victory would likely sew up the district because of tiebreakers.
Echols said Wednesday that Salem is fundamentally sound and will make its opponents beat it.
“They’re not just going to let us have it. They’re going to fight for everything so we have to be ready to play,” he said. “I don’t know which team will show up on the road, though. Our girls play hard at home, but sometimes on the road they get a little complacent so that’s what I’m worried about.”
East Marion will travel to Lawrence County Monday and Jeff Davis County Tuesday before playing host to Amite County Thursday.
UPDATE: East Marion beat Salem 3-1 Thursday.
Pictured Above: East Marion freshman Asiah Allen dives to return a difficult serve against West Marion Monday night. The Eagles outlasted their rivals in five sets and are primed to repeat as district champs for the fourth year in a row. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
