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The Lingleville Lady Cardinals were joined at the ‘Welcome to Lingleville’ sign Sunday by community members wishing the District Champions well as they advanced to Area competition. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
The Lingleville Lady Cardinals ended their 2020 season as District Champions after facing the state-ranked Vernon Northside in Albany Monday night.
The 11-3 Lady Cards played a spirited three sets, putting up 19, 20 and 13 against their opponents.
The Lingleville community showed their support for the team in an impromptu community Pep Rally held Sunday by the “Welcome to Lingleville” sign on land provided by Robert and Tammy Kellar.
“I really appreciate that the community decided to do this for these girls because there’s a lot that was taken away from them with COVID and guidelines and stuff,” said Head Volleyball Coach Hannah
Smith as she stood next to assistant coach Robert Johnston on a flatbed trailer provided by Richard Boeve and Danny Duvall.
Smith said that even with all of the setbacks and obstacles, her girls didn’t “stop hustling.”
“This right here and the achievement they have made speaks volumes,” Smith said, referencing the crowd gathered around the trailer.
Smith said that every week during district the team had attentively watched film to see the other teams’ strengths and weaknesses as well as their own.
“They know where to blossom, where to focus and keep moving forward,” Smith said.
The coaches were joined on the trailer by all of the District Champion team, who were all introduced with notes about their character and dedication:
Jordyn Hicks
Kaylee Melton
Tessa Lueck
Jaden Vandenberg
Ivy Aikman
Hannah Miller
Araceli Rangel
Katelyn Brooks
Joselyn Garcia
Brena Gage
Kyndall Hurt
Kaitlyn Gordon
Pastor Ryan Hurt opened the pep rally with a prayer and provided a sound system. Craig and Amber Parks provided electricity to run it. The Lingleville Volunteer Fire Department also brought out a truck to show its support.