It was a night of celebration all around as Mansfield honored their volleyball seniors before dispensing with the visitors from Charleston.
Pre-game volleyball action on October 9, included warm wishes for Mansfield seniors Daisy Nelson and Kaylie Ward. MHS volleyball coach Kaylie Pyles spoke to an attentive crowd. The Lady Tigers’ head master offered a poignant message to each of the two senior captains. Then the hometown team took the court for varsity action in the final home game of the 2025 volleyball season.
“I want each of you to know that you mean the world to me,” Pyles said softly, showing a strong emotional connection to the veteran players she’d coached since they were seventh graders. “All I ever want is for each of you to know how much I truly care about you and your success in life.
“Thank you for everything you have done for our program and our team,” the coach continued, now reaching several minutes into her two page address. “Tonight is sad, but we still have unfinished business to take care of. We have one last district to win, regional tournament, and state tournament before you end your careers.”
Hugs and gifts from a close knit group of teammates completed the spotlight moment. Cheers from appreciative fans finished while last minute photo ops ushered in the real business at hand. Mansfied, with the experience of its two senior stalwarts and a collection of talented underclassmen, was about to play Charleston in the final 3A-1 conference game of the regular season. To the delight of the senior pair and their enthusiastic cohorts, Mansfield finished the narrative with a very large exclamation mark.
The hometown Tigers took the match in straight sets. A competitive opening set completed at a score of 25-22. The night got easier as the match moved on with the final two frames coming in at 25-16 and 25-13.
“This game was special,” said senior libero Daisy Nelson. “We came out on a high note and took care of business. We kept our heads high and celebrated every point. This last volleyball game at home for me was one I’ll never forget thanks to all my girls and coaches!”
Nelson had a terrific game. As the defensive minded ball hawk, she tracked down most of the Charleston chews. Diving on the court, sliding on the floor - anything to get a ball up and into the hands of her offensive minded teammates was well on her agenda.
“I have loved watching you get to balls that no one thought you could,” aimed comments from Pyles directly towards Daisy, “and you diving everywhere, slapping the floor or jumping in the air to celebrate.”
Nelson, who typically doesn’t serve, stayed in an extra rotation on this night. As such, she toed the service line with effective results complementing her play on the back end. In the second set in particular, the senior “white shirt” dealt a serving sequence of six straight serves before Charleston finally forced a sideout. Within the flurry, Ward pounded a kill, Miley Clopton clobbered three consecutive kills, and Nelson hit an ace.
Kaylee Ward offered, “It was super sad knowing and playing my last home game, although it was super fun and a win! It was a very emotional night with my girls, but knowing I still have a couple more games left made it a little easier. We still have unfinished business.”
Ward was spectacular as usual. The league’s standout player brought a ring of fire with 11 kills and 3 blocks. A right handed hitter, this middle blocker showed unique versatility. In the midst of a contentious second set sequence, she mailed home a left handed jam to stun a bewildered CHS tandem block. In the third, she blasted three consecutive kills from a variety of arm angles.
“I love watching you celebrate after you get a big kill,” offered extra some love from Pyles to her “gentle giant” in the middle. “During a close game, the excitement you bring is unmatched. You have been a great role model to so many girls. I have loved coaching you!”
When Ward got hot, it was usually off the finger tips of sophomore setter Adeline Godwin. Godwin pushed out 18 assists including the consecutive trio laid down by her senior smash artist. She also powered 9 kills of her own when rotating to the left side and added 4 aces, three of which set the tone of a blistering Mansfield pace to start the third set.
Godwin made a habit of sending out flurries throughout the night. With solid passing from Nelson, Bailey Quick, Abby Smith and Kerrington Quick, the all-around player kept the burners high for Tiger flamethrowers.
In the first set, Godwin dished out three of four recorded points to either Ward or Clopton. She did the same in the second with a Ward whack and three consecutive Clopton kills.
Kerrington Quick and Bailey Quick joined the setups with 11 and 3 assists respectively. Junior Danielle Lowery and Whitley Boyd found a few of those coming their way. The frontliners also brought their defensive block to the table.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
