WILLARD — Lauren Weber didn't let the build-up and fanfare surrounding Nixa's COC-opening showdown with Willard on Tuesday get the best of her.

"Everybody was hyped  and the crowd came out. But I tuned it out, honestly," the senior outside hitter said. "At times it could get a little overwhelming. But you've got to think about calming down and playing your own game, while staying aggressive throughout the whole match."

Weber's aggression stood out as an exception for the Lady Eagles in their 20-25, 25-23, 25-23 setback to the Lady Tigers.

Nixa's hitting percentages across the net were well below the Lady Eagles' standard that had led them to a 10-1 start prior to Tuesday.

"A lot of that is a credit to Willard's defense," Nixa coach Annie Zimmerman said. "They've got a big front line up there most of the time. In the second and third sets, I thought they did a good job of keeping some of our really aggressive swings off the floor."

But Zimmerman was still hoping her hitters would remain aggressive. Weber led the Lady Eagles with 11 kills. Jaycee Fixsen Jordan Collard, Kenzie Hines and Taylor Golmen all added eight kills.

"Lauren did the best job out of all my hitters at being aggressive and going for swings that I think some of our other players were being careful on," Zimmerman said. "What we got done talking about in the locker room was I can be OK with an aggressive mistake. We can work with that and make that better. But if you're making careful, timid mistakes, that's where we have issues. I don't know how to coach that. 

"We're going to have a shift in our mindset on those big moments in the match," she added. "We have to believe in each other and go for it. That's when we're at our best."

Weber didn't let Willard's relentless presence at the net keep her from attacking.

"I looked at it as any other block and kept swinging," she said. "I feel like you can go around the block, if you stay aggressive."

Weber, who had a pair of aces, has played her best ball since Zimmerman gave her a shot at the Springfield Tournament over the weekend at staying on the court at the net and along the back row. 

"It's made me step up to the plate and realize I want to prove that, 'Hey, I can be back here and need to get these digs up so our hitters can have a good swing,'" Weber said.

For the full story, click here.

For the O-Zone game photos, highlights and recap, click here.

Willard 2, Nixa 1
(20-25, 25-23, 25-23)

Stat leaders

Nixa
Kills: Lauren Weber 11, Jaycee Fixsen 8, Kenzie Hines 8, Jordan Collard 8, Taylor Golmen 8
Assists: Sydney Golden 40
Digs: Lexie Gregory 28, Alexis Adams 17
Blocks: Kenzie Hines 2

Willard
Kills: Ashley Lasher 15
Assists: Ashton Wildermuth 33
Digs: Taylor Crighton 25
Blocks: Lasher 4