Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - Eastside is looking forward to its rematch with Woodland-Henry in the first round of the Class AAA state volleyball playoffs at 11 a.m. today in Stockbridge.

The Lady Eagles (21-25) squared off with the Wolfpack (22-15) in late August at the Alcovy Play Date and dropped a 25-16, 25-20 decision.

Eastside earned its state berth as the No. 3 seed out of Area 8-AAA, while Woodland took the No. 2 seed in 4-AAA. The winner advances to play the winner of Ringgold vs. Northside-Columbus on Tuesday in the second round.

"It is the best three out of five games, and I expect it to be a good matchup. We will need to play well to advance, but so will Woodland," Eastside coach Angie Lewis said. "We played them at the Alcovy Play Date in late August, but we didn't have our primary setter and got a slow start that day. We have beaten better teams, but it all depends on how we perform on the court when we meet them.

"The keys (for us) will be serving and being consistent in hits - getting aces, set-ups and spikes when needed."

With Eastside off for fall break this week, Lewis and the Lady Eagles had to make a few adjustments to their normal practice routine.

"We haven't had our own facility to practice in this week, so it has been a bit of a challenge with equipment and a lower ceiling than we are used to having while playing volleyball. but we have worked on court positioning and coverage," Lewis said. "The girls are on fall break and I gave them the first part of the week off to rest a little, but they are getting back into it."

Last year, the Lady Eagles made it to the first round of the state tournament and lost in three games to Creekview.

"Last year, we were a No. 4 seed in the state tournament, and all but one of our players participating this year played in the tournament last year," Lewis said. "I expect a little elevation in nerves since it is the state tournament, but the girls are looking at it as a game to win, so I think the nerves will be in check on the most part."

Jeff Gillespie can be reached at jeff.gillespie@rockdalecitizen.com.