Fans at the Joe Lombard Gymnasium in Canyon socially distance to watch Bushland and Canyon play volleyball. It was the first UIL event since March 14 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [Tom Carver/ Press Pass Sports]
Tuesday night was more than just the opening night of a full slate of high school volleyball.
Tuesday night represented a monumental occasion for high school’s, coaches, players, parents and fans across the state when it came to a sense of normalcy.
For the first time since March 14, the University Scholastic League held its first event with fans despite being in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
No bigger volleyball match took place in the Texas Panhandle than small school power Bushland at talented Joe Lombard
Gymnasium.
Canyon ISD did its part. The gym was filled at was at 50 percent capacity, with an estimated attendance of 900 fans, most of which were wearing masks.
Canyon athletic director Toby Tucker said this is a sight he and many had been waiting for.
“It’s exciting to get things rolling again,” Tucker said. “We’ve been waiting six months to see this. We’re thankful for our players and coaches, we’re thankful to the UIL for the opportunity, and now we want to do our part.”
As for the opening volleyball match of the year, Bushland was able to outlast Canyon with a four-set victory (25-19, 30-32, 25-15, 25-15, 25-15).
Outside hitter Kinley was the difference for the Lady Falcons. The senior dominated the net, and the Lady Eagles defense with a game-high 25 kills to go with six blocks. Jaycee Adams hit the floor for 38 digs while Taryn Schultz made 30 assists with four aces.
Canyon was led by Raylee Bain’s 14 kills.
Bushland def. Canyon 25-19, 30-32, 25-15, 25-15 25-15
Bushland— Kills: Kinley Rudder 25, Emma Troxell 15, Conklin 15; Blocks: Rudder 6, Troxell 5; Digs: Jaycee Adams 38; Assists: Taryn Schultz 30, Logan Culpepper 15; Aces: Culpepper 5, Adams 4, Schultz 4.
Canyon— Kills: Raylee Bain 14, Kenda Evans 7, Zoey Sparks 6; Blocks: Sparks 1, Taylor Thomas 1; Assists: Ryne Roden 23.
Records: Bushland 1-0; Canyon 0-1.
Nondistrict scores
Hereford def. Levelland 25-6, 25-15, 25-20
Hereford— Kills: Taytum Stow 11, Nickilah Whatley 5; Blocks: Stow 8, Whatley 6. Digs: Miranda Acosta 14, Bonnie Vallejo 7; Assists: Rainey Aven 21. Aces: Emma Jones 4, Stow 2.
Hereford def. Denver City 25-9, 25-11, 25-8
Hereford— Kills: Taytum Stow 10, Camryn Blair 8; Blocks: Nickilah Whatley 6, Rainey Aven 4, Stow 4; Digs: Miranda Acosta 15, Micah 6; Assists: Rainey Aven 26; Aces: Miranda Acosta 4, Aven 3.
Records: Hereford 2-0.
Dumas def. Dalhart 16-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-6
Dumas— Kills: Abree Elsheimer 12, Brooklyn Sianez 8; Blocks: Janely Lozoya 1; Digs: Jazzy Ortiz 14, Brenley Rodriguez 11; Assists: Rodriguez 13, Halie Coon 10; Aces: Jazzy Ortiz 4. Dalhart— Kills: Bethany Berngen 14, Rhiana Todd 6; Blocks: Todd, 2 Dani Lewis 1; Digs: Caryce Guerrero 18, Todd 16, Assists: Addison 15, Tallie 7.
Records: Dumas 1-0; Dalhart 0-1.
Pampa def. Tulia 25-16, 25-12, 25-13
T— Kills: Marnell 5; Blocks: Marnell 1; Digs: Arellano 13.
P— Kills: Mikalie Floyd 17, Tyanna Mojica 9; Digs: Floyd 11, Hallie Sieck 9; Assists: Sieck 35; Aces: Hallie Hawthorne 2, Sieck 1, Floyd 1.
Records: Tulia 0-1; Pampa 1-0.
Highland Park def. Borger 14-25, 25-20, 25-19 25-17
HP— Kills: Kendalyn Kosechata 14, Nevaeh Rodriquez 7; Blocks: Melanie Koval 2, Rodriquez 1; Assists: Mercedes Harton 28; Digs: Cassie McClurg 14, Rodriquez 9; Aces: Harton 3, Rodriquez 3.
Records: Highland Park 1-0; Borger 0-1.
Sanford-Fritch def. River Road 25-13, 25-15, 25-21
SF— Kills: Bella price 7, Haley Raper 5; Digs: Shay Keel 3, Raper 3; Assists: Taryn Moffitt 8, Luckie Hughes 7; Aces:
RR— Kills: Kaitlyn Pattie 3; Blocks: Sara Winn 1; Digs: Duck 5; Aces: Annie 3.
Records: S-Fritch 1-0; R. Road 0-1.
