First-year Randall coach Haleigh Burns and the Lady Raiders are off to a 21-3 start on the year. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
The Randall Lady Raiders were able to catch their breath after dominating the nondistrict portion of their schedule through August.
Turn the page to September, and Randall is ready to hit the ground running when it opens the District 3-5A schedule at Lubbock High Tuesday night.
It’s been a rare 10 days in a busy volleyball season since the Lady Raiders have played a game. Randall had the open date when district started last Tuesday, followed an off weekend Labor Day.
“The time off was very much needed,” Burns said. “August was a grind for us. We were on the road from Wednesday to Saturday two weeks in a row. We were hardly in the gym, so it was important to get back in the gym, have some good practices, get some rest and be together.”
Burns and her No. 3-ranked Lady Raiders have been on a tear to start the year. Randall is an eye-opening 21-3 overall entering district, playing outstanding volleyball at all rotations.
“With this group we have a lot of power,” Burns said. “Our offense is key to wins but we work extremely hard on our defense and passing. We have great depth, which is great to have. I know there are a lot of players that can get the job done, and that’s good to know.”
Randall is the defending District 3-5A champions with a perfect 16-0 record. With that record comes a target. But for the Lady Raiders, a bullseye on their back is nothing new.
“I’m a competitive person,” Burns said. “I thrive in these type situations and so does this team. They want to be playing in big, exciting games. We played like that at tournaments, and this team wants to go all the way. That’s exciting.”
Tuesday’s notable matchups
Amarillo High was the only team to play over Labor Day weekend. The Lady Sandies (15-11, 1-0) lost to Byron Nelson but did beat Wichita Falls Rider in a triangular. AHS will play at Lubbock Coronado on Tuesday night.
Caprock hopes to start district 2-0, hosting crosstown rival Palo Duro.
One nondistrict matchup, showcases two talented metro school when Canyon visits Tascosa at 7 p.m.
The Bushland Lady Falcons, No. 3 in Class 3A, are off to a 26-1 start. Bushland travels to Lubbock Trinity.
District 3-5A standings
Team District Overall
Monterey 1-0 21-6
Coronado 1-0 16-8
Amarillo High 1-0 15-11
Caprock 1-0 16-9
Randall 0-0 21-3
Cooper 0-1 17-11
Plainview 0-1 10-11
Lubbock High 0-1 10-16
Palo Duro 0-1 6-14
Tuesday’s games
Monterey at Cooper, 6 p.m.
Amarillo High at Coronado, 6:30 p.m.
Randall at Lubbock High, 7 p.m.
Palo Duro at Caprock, 7 p.m.
Nondistrict games
Childress at Highland Park, 6 p.m.
Canyon at Tascosa, 7 p.m.
Hereford at Dumas, 7 p.m.
Bushland at Lubbock Trinity, 7 p.m.
Pampa at River Road, 7 p.m.