By Jacob Richman

Two weeks ago, the varsity volleyball team was worrying how they would survive the playoffs without their kills and digs leader. Now, they are preparing for their Area playoff match against Rockwall-Heath with junior Natalie Perdue ready to play.

Perdue, who had been expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a stress fracture in her leg, came back for her first game since September 19th.

Varsity won the match against Rowlett 3-2 in a repeat of last year’s first round bi-district playoff.

Richardson has beat Rowlett six times in the past two seasons. However Tuesday’s Rowlett team put up the biggest challenge the Eagles had seen in a while.

Led by Perdues’ career high 26 kills and a strong defensive performance from Senior Shion Kabasele, the Eagles moved past Rowlett once again.

Richardson will face Rockwall-Heath for the second consecutive year in the Area playoffs November 4 at Wylie high school. Richardson hasn’t moved past the Area round in over ten years.

“We have a lot of good kids,” Coach Eric Miracle said.”They are more experienced than other groups and they just really want to win. If we play to our fullest potential, we’ll move on.