A New Sheriff in Town
Oak Ridge volleyball's fresh face is catalyst for War Eagles
Samantha Uber
Oct 18, 2018, 5:00 am
Originally Appeared on Vype
New Oak Ridge volleyball head coach Rachel Croley has the War Eagles poised for a potentially long playoff run.
With a large of amount of coaching turnover, the new coaches brought along a sense of hope in Oak Ridge’s attempt to redeem itself from an early playoff exit last year.
The Lady War Eagles are no stranger to struggles lately, so a clean slate may just be what they needed.
Croley has a tremendous past as a former assistant head coach for the War Eagles cross town rivals, The Woodlands Highlanders.
There, she was under the coaching of Terri Wade where she gained experience to help her in running her own successful volleyball program. She has been to playoffs often and even went on to the State tournament with TWHS.
“It has been very positive,” Croley said of her transition to Oak Ridge. “I love these girls and it’s been great.”
A new environment is tough for everyone, but Croley is ready to take it head on with positivity and teamwork.
Her fresh face is also a ray of light for the girls as well.
“I love her. Even when we’re not doing good she will always be positive and help you,” senior setter Kenzie Arent said.
More here
Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.