Calera High School volleyball coach Amanda Heaton remains upbeat despite being swept Thursday in an Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 4A sub-state match at St. James in Montgomery.

The Eagles fell to St. James 25-21, 25-13, 25-10 in the sub-state match. Advancing to the sub-state round for the first time in school history left the Eagles with a satisfied feeling, Heaton said.

“I’m so proud of the girls,” Heaton said. “We’ve had good leadership.”

Senior Katelyn Dean led the Eagles with six kills and added three digs. A’Kia Harris had three kills and two digs. La’Jacqueline Morgan had three kills and 11 digs. Courtney Isbell four digs and three blocks. Kellie Rasmussen had 14 assists and an ace.

Heaton said Calera (20-14) came out strong first set of the sub-state match. However, the Eagles faced a tough task on the road at St. James, which is one of the top Class 4A teams in the state.

“The first game was really close,” Heaton said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better first game. We blocked well and we passed well. But once we dug a hole, it’s tough to come back.”

Heaton, who led Calera to the sub-state round of the playoffs in only her second season as head coach, said the Eagles should be proud of their 2009 season.

“We absolutely accomplished a lot,” Heaton said.