Tom Dodge
The Eunice Lady Bobcats battled on senior night Tuesday, but the visiting Rayne Lady Wolves grabbed a 3-0 win in district play.
Rayne (17-11) won the first game 25-9 en route to the sweep.
The Lady Cats (1-13) held tough early before the Lady Wolves exploded for a 12-1 surge to grab a 15-4 advantage.
Three serves by Rylea Gradney helped Eunice close the gap to 15-7, but Rayne’s Emma Pastor blasted two aces before a service error.
Rayned closed the game with a 6-2 run, sealed with a block by Makayla Dronet for the 25-9 win.
The Lady Cats responded with a stronger showing in the second game before falling 25-20.
Eunice held a 6-3 lead before Rayne rallied to force a 7-7 tie.
The game was tied again at 9-9 and 10-10 before Rayne went on a 4-0 run.
Eunice closed the gap to 14-12 on consecutive serves by Amya Johnwell.
The Lady Cats later closed the margin to 16-14 on serves by Justice James.
With Rayne leading 19-16, the Lady Cats fought to tie the game, aided by serves from Alisyn Beard.
The Lady Wolves thenwent on a 5-0 run before an error for a 24-20 advantage.
A Lady Cat service error sealed the 25-20 Rayne win.
Eunice opened the third match with a 3-0 run, sparked by serves from Rylea Gradney.
With Hannah McKenzie serving for the Lady Wolves, Rayne responded with a 7-0 run to push ahead, 7-4.
Eunice managed to keep the game close at 8-6, but Rayne again rallied with a 5-0 run to push ahead, 13-6.
A kill by Lady Cat Beard and two serves closed the gap to 13-9.
The game tightened up as both teams exchanged points and the Lady Cats closed Rayne’s lead to 18-14.
The Lady Wolves pushed ahead 20-15, but EHS battled back with three serves by Kelsea Aguillard to pull closer, 21-20
The Lady Cats continued to fight with kill by Beard who also added two points on serves to force a 23-23 tie.
A kill by Makayla Dronet and a Lady Cat error sealed the 25-23 win for the Lady Wolves.