During the summer workouts the only goal for the Goshen Eagle volleyball team was to get back to the state tournament. On Monday evening they took one step closer when they defeated the Luverne Tigers to win the Area Championship.

The Eagles trailed for brief time on Monday while defeating the Tigers in straight sets, 25-7, 25-9 and 25-11.

The win for the Eagles propels them in the Regional Tournament beginning on Friday in Montgomery.

“It feels great,” said Eagles head coach Amy Warrick. “It’s really good to be able to win area. It was a good win. It’s one thing that we had to do to accomplish our goals this season. We look forward to our regional tournament on Friday night.”

The Eagles were guaranteed a spot in the regional tournament after securing a first round bye in the area tournament and playing them straight into the championship match. The top two seeds from each area tournament advance to regionals.

The Eagles awaited the winner of Luverne and Highland Home. The Tigers knocked out the Highland Home Flying Squadron in four sets 22-25, 26-24, 25-23 and 25-21 to set the championship match with the Eagles.

The Eagles were familiar with playing both teams during the regular season, but they knew they had to come out and play their best game in a post-season environment.

“I thought they looked good,” Warrick said. “We worked on some serving things, where we worked on some different serving techniques. I thought they looked the best tonight over the rest of the time they played this team.”

The Eagles came out and dominated in all three sets in the championship game and it started right away in the first set.

The Eagles soared out to a 5-0 lead over the Tigers and never looked back. They held a commanding 19-5 lead in the first set and rode it all the way to a 25-7 win.

The first 10 points of the set were neck and neck until the Eagles went on an 8-0 run to give them a 13-5 lead. From there the Eagles outscored the Tigers 12-4 to take the second set.

The Tigers were able to hold a lead for a short time in set three by leading the Eagles 4-3 early in the game. The Eagles didn’t let up on the gas pedal and stormed out to 20-9 lead before closing the door.

Kati Thomas finished the night with 15 kills and four aces. Casey Allen had 13 kills with eight aces. Lexi Ellisor had six digs with three aces, while Hannah Calhoun had 10 digs and five aces. Carmen Kelley closed out the scoring with 31 assists and three aces.

The Eagles had another reason to celebrate on Monday night. Goshen honored their five seniors Tessa Little, Casey Allen, Kati Thomas, Lexi Ellisor and Carmen Kelley. All five seniors played all six seasons in the Eagles program.

“I can’t tell you what they mean to me,” Warrick said. “They are like my children. They have probably taught me more than I have ever taught them. They are a bunch of fighters and winners. I am honored and privileged to be their head coach.”

The Eagles hope this one last run at a championship will give their seniors a little bit more time to keep playing for Warrick and the Eagles.

The Eagles will match up with Sampson High School in Montgomery at the Multiplex on Friday at 6:45.