South Putnam volleyball hosts Eagle Invitational Saturday

South Putnam's freshman Miranda Bieghler (13) sets up her team for a kill while sophomore Lois Cheatham (14) and junior Katie Hewitt (10) communicate on the play. South Putnam went 1-3 during the Eagle Invite Saturday. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

The Eagle volleyball team has had a rough early start to its season. Coach Kristin Hendrich is still looking for the positives and wants to build those into win this season.

South Putnam (0-2) hosted the Eagle Invitational on Saturday where several schools visited the Eagles nest for a round of volleyball games. The Eagles went 1-3 in their games, beating North Vermillion in its third game on Saturday.

We had a little difficulty today," Hendrich said. "We were responsible for line judges so a lot of the girls that I would've had dressing because we were playing so many games, had to line judge."

Mackenzi Myers makes a return in the Invite. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

In a tournament like this conditioning is big for a team and Hendrich says that she prepares the Eagles for the grueling schedule this week in practices.

"We were kind of short-handed. But I think working on our conditioning; especially to be able to play four games without breaks was really important. So we did a lot of condition work this week."

In the past, Hendrich has said that communication on the volleyball court has hurt the Eagles and the team has specific drills to enhance its communication skills.

Katie Hewitt finishes off a kill after being set up by Miranda Bieghler. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

"(Communication) got better," Hendrich said. "The first two games we struggled. We looked like zombies out there. I don't know if they were tired, but we finally woke up for the third game and kind of got it together. I think its been a lot better. We just have to continue to work on that."

In the third match, the Eagles took on North Vermillion and game one was close through out.

In fact, as the first game came toward its end and it looked like North Vermillion would end it at 25, Mackenzi Myers made a great play at the net to force a 24-24 tie and push the game into extra sets.

Sabrina Philips makes a play on the ball. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

After the first loss South Putnam kept the intensity up and the Eagles jumped to a 5-0 lead to start the second game. The Eagles held the lead all night winning the second game 25-16.

The third game started even at five with North Vermillion competing step for step with South Putnam, but the Eagles turned the intensity up with a few key plays including a Lois Cheatham dig that traveled the length of both volleyball courts and bounced in the corner of North Vermilion's.

These plays led to a South victory in the third game.

South Putnam came up short in its last match against South Vermillion and Hendrich cited serving as what will be the team's focus in the upcoming week of practice.

North Central, who went 4-0 in the invite, won the tournament.

"We've got to get out serves better," Hendrich said. "So that's something we will be working on, a lot of serving. But I'm excited for the season I think there is a lot of potential there, a lot of athleticism so I'm excited for what we have to come."

South Putnam has a break between matches as its next match isn't until Sept. 2 when the team takes on Riverton Parke at home.