Beckville Defeats White Oak to Cap Undefeated Season

Riley Seegers has four years of memories at Beckville, but she made her favorite Tuesday night.

Seegers is one of four seniors on the Beckville squad. She, along with Hannah Humphries, Bailey McGuire and Kaylee Hull were honored before the Ladycats' match against White Oak on Tuesday.

With an undefeated record on the line, Beckville showed no jitters. It went on to sweep White Oak by scores of 25-9, 25-12 and 25-15 to finish the regular season unblemished and capture the District 16-3A title.

"(My favorite memory) has to be this year," Seegers said. "Being 36-0 and 12-0 in district, that's my favorite. Just really getting to play with my best friends. My family."

Seegers led the team with 14 kills while also recording three digs, three blocks and an ace.

The game started as most do, with Beckville dominating. The Ladycats scored the first five  points and jumped out to a 15-3 lead to take control of the first set early. Seekers, Humphries, Payton Jones and Jordan Tondreau delivered costly blows time and time again.

This set the tone for the rest of the match.

The Ladycats jumped out to another big lead in the second set and, though White Oak came within 14-13 in the third, Beckville quickly strung together a run to pull away. The outcome of the game was never in question.

When Hannah Humphries delivered the dagger as the crowd gave a standing ovation and the players rushed together to celebrate. They had done it. A perfect season.

"It's an unbelievable season," coach Cherry Downs said. "We knew we'd have a successful season. These girls love to play volleyball. They work hard. They're great kids. But to expect 36-0, it never crossed my mind. It's an indescribable, amazing feeling."

Fitting for senior night, Humphries was right behind Seegers with 13 kills. Tondreau and Jones combined for another 14. McGuire finished with nine digs and Hull had four.

McGuire said the Ladycats knew White Oak (25-11, 10-2) was not to be taken lightly.

"It's a game we get hyped for," she said. "We look forward to it and enjoy playing White Oak. It's a crazy feeling, though. I never thought we would be this far in our season and 36-0."

Now, Beckville turns its attention to the playoffs. The ultimate goal is making the state tournament. The Ladycats were denied a year ago and still feel the pang. To do that, they'll have to get through regionals.

Downs said it's a long way ahead, but after this season, she has no reason to doubt her team.

"They want to work," Downs said. "There is not a day that goes by at practice where I'm like, 'What drill are we gonna do now?' It's just a great group to work with. They'll stay until I run them out of the gym."