Matt Begay is an NAU School of Communication student assigned to cover high school volleyball for AZPreps365.com

The Flagstaff Eagles battled with the Coconino Panthers in a crosstown rivalry game. The Eagles were looking for a season sweep after beating the Panthers on Oct. 14. 

The Eagles started the game off by a quick two points, but that wouldn’t stop the Panthers from putting on a little show of their own. With the Panthers fighting back to make the first set competitive. The Panthers would value off of the Eagles' mistakes capturing the Panthers points to win the first set. 

“Mostly it was here (mental) because I felt like we were just all over the place," Eagles coach Beth Haglin said. "We were just scattered out there, we weren't a team, we weren't a unit out there. So mostly what we talked about was playing as a team, playing as a solid unit and being out there and being forgiving for mistakes because the hitters were getting frustrated with sets.” 

With both student sections representing loud and proud, singing Neil Diamond “Sweet Caroline” after the first set timeout, the Eagles would go back to play their own brand of volleyball.

Senior Ivy Clevenger would have a great second set putting up the eagles first two match points, as the Eagles put on a great defensive set to put the Eagles up a huge lead. The Eagles would capitalize on Coconino mistakes to secure a win in the second set for Flagstaff.

“I felt like our blocking we did a much better job at blocking tonight," Haglin said. "The first time we played them I felt like their middles were having their way with us more. I felt like they were getting more to the side of the block. I felt like our defense did a great job behind the block tonight. Ivy in the middle did a great job making adjustments where the middle was coming in, that alone took them out of their hitting game.”

"Play as a team, play as a whole, We made our own mistakes and that let Coconino win by our mistakes so just clean up our side and work as a team and help each other," Clevenger said.

The Eagles last game of the regular season will be against the Bradshaw Bears on Oct. 28. Haglin discussed what needs to be improved and how the team can go forward into playoffs.

“Consistently, I don't want to see this up-down play, lights out and not have us play well," Haglin said. "We got to do a better job of being consistent and making the connections to go deeper into state."