at first, she manage

The shovel wasn't the kind of weapon she was used to handle, she never used one as a weapon anyway. She was more hoping for a strong defense and a chance to make a good hit.
She also hoped that the leader would not deliver fatal blows, as it was not to their interest to kill her.

The leader made some quick swings with his shovel without hitting her. But it was more to make a good entertainement for the audience before the fight begun.

Lisa tried to remain calm, not to be distracted by the crowd cheering around them.
The guards seemed to not want to stop them, and let the fight be.

She dodged some attacks. The mud was flying, splashing. The shovels sparkled when they sometimes briefly connected at each other.

Then the leader seemed to prepare for his next action, maybe a charge with an over the head swing.
She wonder what would be the best move in reaction?

Attack? Block? Dodge? Surrender? Make him trip? What if it's a trick?