This past week, the Lady Cats JV and Varsity volleyball teams showcased their determination and skill on the court, facing off against the Collinsville Lady Pirates and the Whitewright Lady Tigers.
The JV would start things off on Tuesday night, September 24th, in a thrilling matchup against the Lady Pirates. This game would go to three hard-fought sets. The Lady Cats started strong, clinching the first set 25-23. Olivia Noga played a crucial role in this victory, delivering an impressive eight consecutive points during her serving streak. However, the momentum shifted in the second set, with the Lady Cats falling 18-25. Despite this setback, they regrouped and came back ready to fight in the third set. Unfortunately, they dropped the final set 7-15. Notable performances included Dianne Flores, who excelled defensively, and Emily Ragsdale, who proved to be a formidable presence at the net throughout the match.
The Varsity Lady Cats would follow on Tuesday night, but faced a tough challenge against the Collinsville Lady Pirates, falling in straight sets. The first set was closely contested, but the Lady Cats ultimately lost 20-25. Sam Lind emerged as a standout player, contributing significantly on both offense and defense. The following sets saw the Lady Cats struggle, dropping both 13-25. Jenna Fredson stepped up as a key setter, facilitating the offense, while Camryn Ives made several crucial defensive plays to keep the team in the game.
On Friday night, September 29th, in their match against the Whitewright Lady Tigers, the Varsity team would start things off and faced another uphill battle. They were unable to secure a set, with scores of 11-25, 18-25, and 7-25. Defensively, Camryn Ives and Cori Peterson led the charge, showcasing their skills and determination. Taylor Vick and Sam Lind also provided strong offensive contributions, demonstrating the team's fighting spirit even in defeat.
The JV then took on the Lady Tigers, where they once again pushed hard in a competitive three-set match. The first set was a nail-biter, with both teams exchanging points before the Lady Cats narrowly lost 22-25, thanks in part to impressive serving from Bailey Daniel and Dianne Flores. In a strong comeback, Tom Bean claimed the second set 25-20, led by Olivia Noga's inspirational play that propelled the team from 15 points to victory. However, they fell short in the final set, losing 7-15, despite a standout defensive performance from Krislyn Morales.
While the results may not have been what the Lady Cats hoped for in their first week of district play, the determination and talent displayed in both the Junior Varsity and Varsity matches highlight the potential of this team. They look to bounce back in their upcoming matches this week. You can catch them in action on Tuesday in Tioga with the JV starting at 5:00 PM and then again at home on Friday against Sam Rayburn with the Varsity starting at 4:30 PM.
As always, thank you for your support of our athletes and program!
