District 3-5A
Amarillo High wins third straight district title
In a very opposite position from the first meeting a couple of weeks ago, Amarillo High had to earn every point to claim its third straight District 3-5A championship against arch-rival Tascosa.
In a match that won’t soon be forgotten where both teams refused to go away all afternoon, it was AHS leaving the THS Activity Center five-set winners 15-25, 25-17, 25-22, 21-25, 18-16.
The Lady Sandies clinch their third straight District 3-5A championship and the No. 30 will be synonymous when it comes to the 2022 season for AHS. The Lady Sandies won their 30th game of the season with the victory on Saturday improving to 30-9 overall. AHS stays perfect in the league at 8-0, while running their eye-opening district win streak dating back to 2020 to 30 straight as well. AHS can finish district with an unblemished mark when they host Plainview on Tuesday night.
AHS jumped out to a 2-1 lead only to see a gutsy Tascosa team battle back to force a fifth set. In that fifth and final set both teams went toe-to-toe exchanging points to the very end tied, 16-16, before Lady Sandie outside hitter Ryan Pennington got the matches final two points to seal the win. Pennington had 12 kills on the day with four blocks but it was Sienna Cavalier that left it on the court to make sure AHS didn’t leave Tascosa without a district title. Cavalier was stellar knifing through the Lady Rebels defense with 25 kills and playing hard-nosed defense of her own with 25 digs for a double-double. Senior Jo Moffitt, who has never lost a district game in her career, was on top of her performance with 53 assists. Tascosa (23-17 overall), who has claimed second place in district at 6-2, had a great showing by Saphina Stanley who knocked down 21 kills. Meredith Sanning also had a double-double for the Lady Rebels with 47 assists and 14 digs, and teammate Kassidy Langleland was amazing on defense with 39 digs.
Palo Duro stays in the playoff hunt
Palo Duro picked the right time to earn its first district win while keeping their playoff hopes alive.
The Lady Dons were able to take down Plainview with a five-set victory of their own 18-25, 25-14, 17-25, 25-14, 15-6, on Saturday. Palo Duro (15-19, 1-6) is tied with Plainview (13-25, 1-6) for the fourth and final playoff berth out of District 3-5A. If the Lady Dons can beat Caprock on Tuesday, on top of an Amarillo High win over Plainview, then the Lady Dons will punch a ticket to the playoffs. If both teams lose, a seeding game will be set up for later next week.
Syvihanna Sutton was huge in the victory over Plainview finishing with a double-double outing of 18 kills, 15 digs to go with three aces. Mearlina Kelly-Roberts tallied 12 digs with nine assists and Erin Mims pounded down 15 kills.
District 4-4A
Randall wraps up district title
Much like Amarillo High, Randall got a much stiffer test on the road at Hereford but survived for a hard-fought five-set victory 25-21, 15-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13 on Saturday.
Randall (32-8 overall) claims the outright District 4-4A championship staying undefeated at 13-0. Hereford (32-8, 11-2) has clinched the No. 2-seed as both teams wrap up the season on Tuesday.
As she has all season, Sidney Soria did a brilliant job running the offense for Randall passing out 52 assists with three kills, two aces and made eight digs on defense. Brooke Henderson put together a double-double effort with 14 kills and 12 digs followed by Jordyn Gove’s game-high 26 kills. Tori Lowry also led a strong performance at the net with 10 kills. Hereford’s London Baker was masterful with 37 assists and 17 digs. Camryn Blair went for 21 kills and five blocks despite the loss.
West Plains, Pampa secure playoff bids
In only their first season, West Plains has had a terrific showing in 2022 and that continued Saturday in a sweep of Perryton 25-17, 25-8, 25-19, to clinch the programs first ever playoff berth.
Jayli Franklin led the team with 10 kills as Zenaida Murrillo added 10 assists with four blocks.
Pampa also completed a season sweep of rival Canyon 25-21, 25-14, 25-20, at home on Saturday.
Before this season, the Lady Harvesters had not beaten the Lady Eagles since the 2007 season.
Mikalie Floyd did what she always does knocking down 15 kills and tacking on 14 digs. Mazie Smith led the team with 17 kills and six blocks while Maecie Hawthorne dished out 38 assists.
West Plains (30-8) and Pampa (25-13) are both 8-5 in district. The Lady Wolves wrap up the regular season with at home with Borger, while Pampa is on the road at Dumas. If both West Plains and Pampa win the two will play in a seeding game for third place later next week.
District 1-2A
Highland Park clinches district championship
The Highland Park Lady Hornets wrapped up the District 1-2A championship with a sweep of Sanford-Fritch on Saturday, 25-15, 25-14, 25-15.
The Lady Hornets remain undefeated in district at 7-0 while improving to 31-7 overall. Sanford-Fritch (14-16) falls to 3-4 in district but can wrap up the No. 3-seed with a win over Memphis on Tuesday.
Kyra Courtemanche was strong at the net for the Lady Hornets with 15 kills and four aces. Mercedes Harton dished out 27 assists with 10 digs and had four aces. Melanie Koval added seven kills and a block.
Vega is playoff bound
In only their second season, the Vega Lady Longhorns will participate in the postseason. Vega wrapped up their spot a while back, but put a stamp on a much-improved season with a sweep of Memphis 25-14, 25-15, 25-13, on Saturday.
The Lady Longhorns, led by head coach Berklee Norris, are 10-20 overall but close out the regular season at 3-5 in District 1-2A. Vega is currently tied for the third spot with Sanford-Fritch, but will be the No. 4-seed if Fritch beats Memphis on Tuesday.
During Saturday’s win over Memphis, Jaz Martinez registered a double-double with 12 digs and 10 kills. Kami Drinnon had 19 digs and Addi Bidegain was superb with 10 digs, nine assists, four kills and three aces.
District 1-1A
Wildorado takes share of district crown
Wildorado ensured itself at least a share of a District 1-1A championship thanks to a sweep of Darrouzett 25-8, 25-9, 25-3, on Saturday.
The Lady Mustangs finish the regular season at 7-1 in district and 12-12 overall.
Miami also won on Saturday, beating Fort Elliott in four-sets 20-25, 25-8, 25-21, 25-21. The Lady Warriors (13-19 overall) are 6-1 in district and can finish tied with Wildorado for a district title with a victory over Kelton on Tuesday. If Miami wins, the Lady Warriors and Lady Mustangs will have a first place seeding game later next week.
In the win over Fort Elliott, Mercedes Hartwig and Bella-Lynn Calvert were clutch in double-double efforts. Hartwig had 15 kills, 18 digs with seven blocks. Calvert added 25 assists and 19 digs.
H.S. District Scores
District 4-4A
Dumas def. Borger 25-15, 25-23, 25-22
District 1-3A
Bushland def. Dimmitt 25-3, 25-8, 25-6
Friona def. River Road 25-14, 25-23, 25-14
District 2-3A
Childress def. Littlefield 25-12, 25-13, 25-21
Tulia def. Idalou 25-18, 27-25, 13-25, 26-24
