CLASS 5A
Amarillo High’s winning tradition continues in playoff opener
For 30 plus years, the Amarillo High Lady Sandies have played in the opening round of the playoffs and like it has been for three plus decades tradition-rich AHS is moving on past the first round getting a three-set sweep of Abilene Cooper, 25-17, 25-19, 25-12, in a Class 5A bi-district clash Tuesday night in Brownfield.
The Lady Sandies are now 36-6 overall riding a current 19-game win streak dating back to Aug. 31. AHS is headed to the area round where they are set to face off with El Paso High (27-8) at a time and place to be determined.
The Lady Sandies didn’t take long to jump all over the Lady Cougars (14-22) getting an early first set lead and never looking back. Senior standout Sienna Cavalier was a catalyst throughout the match showing her power on offense with a team-best 14 kills while showing her defensive skill getting nine digs.
Teammate Bennett Rea was productive getting the offense in a flow with 18 assists with Payton Cash tallying 13. Cash added six digs and served strong with two aces.
Tascosa takes out Abilene High
Tascosa kept a strong night going for District 3-5A by following Amarillo High’s lead getting a sweep of their own against Abilene High, 25-15, 25-18, 25-20, in the night cap of a doubleheader in Brownfield during a Class 5A Division I bi-district match Tuesday.
The Lady Rebels made it a full team effort in the victory with Molly Culp making her presence known at the net with a match-high 14 kills. Libby Miller and Addison Merrell made sure the passing was on-point combining for 43 assists. Miller had a team-high 27 with Merrell adding 16.
Bennet Berryman was the leader of the defense playing excellent on the back row with 18 digs.
Tascosa (33-9) is moving on to the area round of the postseason for a matchup against El Paso Americas (38-4) at a time and place to be determined.
CLASS 4A
Canyon ISD schools cruise in playoff openers
West Plains, Canyon and Randall all made quick work of its opponents to open the UIL playoffs on Tuesday all in sweeping fashion.
In the Class 4A Division I bi-district round, District 4-4A champion West Plains handled Andrews in three-sets, 25-13, 25-15, 27-25 at Lubbock-Cooper High on Monday.
Lady Wolves outside hitter Kynzie Ward came on during the district season and carried that against Andrews knocking down a team-high 10 kills and was big defensively at the net with five kills.
Teammates Piper Patterson and Aaniyah Kitchen each added six kills with Mya Bartlett and AJ Norman guiding the back row with 27 combined digs. Bartlett totaled 14 while Norman followed with 13.
West Plains (28-11) is headed to the area round to take on El Paso Ysleta (21-13) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Andrews.
In Division II, Randall rolled over Fort Stockton to a bi-district victory, 25-11, 25-11, 25-22, in Brownfield on Monday.
The Lady Raiders (28-13) advance to the area round and will play El Paso Riverside (19-10) at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday in Andrews.
It was a special night for Lady Raider setter Sidney Soria. The senior sensation finished the game with 29 assists putting her over 4,500 for her illustrious career. On top of the milestone.
Amber Mathew’s and Layla Romero benefitted off Soria’s big night with each totaling nine kills apiece. Kambree Gonzalez registered a game-best 12 digs.
Also in Division II, Canyon completed the ISD sweep soaring to a bi-district win against Monahans, 25-22, 25-14, 25-11, at Lubbock-Cooper on Monday.
Libero Landri Jay was strong on the back row picking up a team-high 25 digs. Sydnee Winfrey and Laney Jones made the difference up front.
Winfrey powered down 11 kills with three blocks followed by Jones with seven kills and three blocks. Alainna Bellino set the offense up throughout the match handing out 24 assists.
The Lady Eagles (25-13) now battle Fabens (19-10) in the area round at 6 p.m. Thursday in Seminole.
Hereford hustles past Midland Greenwood
Hereford made it a clean sweep for District 4-4A as the Lady Whitefaces had no problems taking care of Midland Greenwood in a three-set sweep, 28-26, 25-23, 25-22, during a Class 4A Division I bi-district contest Tuesday in Denver City.
The Lady Whitefaces leaned on senior London Baker and as always, she delivered. Baker ended the night with a double-double outing leading Hereford with 16 kills and was able to dish out 15 assists.
Madi Madrigal was key in the win posting a team-best 23 assists and Kazirma Trevino made the digs with 13.
Hereford (26-20) has San Elizario (17-12) up next in the area round which is set for 4 p.m. Thursday back in Denver City.
CLASS 3A
Bushland blasts Littlefield
The defending UIL Class 3A state champions Bushland Lady Falcons opened their quest for a repeat breezing by Littlefield in straight sets, 25-6, 25-9, 25-6, in a Division I bi-district match Monday in Hereford.
Bushland, which closed out the regular season extending its incredible district winning streak to 97 straight have now won 21 straight and are riding an eight-game postseason win streak.
The Lady Falcons also win their 40th game of the year improving to 40-4 overall. Bushland advances to play Denver City (37-8) in an area round clash at a time and place to be determined.
In the win over Littlefield (17-19), Ambree Hatfield set the ton on offense with 12 kills. LilyAnn Shannon tallied seven kills.
Last year’s state tournament MVP Mackenzie Sims paced the offense with 14 assists and three aces. Ansley Tiffin had 14 assists of her own with three aces and Avery Ramos posted 16 digs.
River Road gets huge playoff victory against Idalou
In arguably the biggest surprise of the night, River Road snapped a lengthy playoff drought knocking off Idalou in a stunning four-sets, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-20, during a Class 3A Division II game in Littlefield on Tuesday evening.
The Lady Wildcats earn their first playoff win since the 2017 season and the first under third-year head coach Kira Satterfield.
River Road didn’t get off to the best start dropping the first set, however, pulled it together behind their senior leaders to rally back for the next three sets and the win.
Isela Delgado was smart at the net, and it showed with a huge offensive outing powering down 16 kills with three blocks.
Senior leader Reese DeHart saved one of her best games at the perfect time coming two kills away from a triple-double. The setter was incredible running the offense by handing out 40 assists, hit the floor for 12 digs and showed her offense with eight kills.
Teammate Neveah Winn was also clutch coming up when it counted with 12 kills.
The Lady Cats (23-14) are pushing on to the area round to face Odessa Compass (22-7) at a time and place to be determined.
Childress edges Friona in five sets
In one of the best matches of the night, it was the Childress Lady Bobcats advancing past Friona in a back-and-forth Class 3A Division II bi-district thriller with Childress coming out on top, 18-25, 25-20, 8-25, 25-23, 15-13.
After falling behind 2-1, the Lady Bobcats were able to regroup and win the final two sets for the exciting victory.
Ava Everage and Faith Foster were a dynamic duo on the net for Childress. Everage knocked down eight kills to go with six blocks and Foster added eight kills of her own with three blocks.
Journey Prince added five kills while Kaydence Simpkins and Addi Baize had a huge serving effort. Simpkins led Childress with five aces followed by Baize’s four.
Despite the loss, Friona’s Aubree Bunker totaled 13 kills.
Childress (25-15) is moving on to the area round of the playoffs for a showdown with Alpine (22-18) on Saturday in Big Spring with a time to be determined.
Friona ends its season at 26-12.
Class 2A
Vega gets historic victory
For the first time in their very short history, the Vega Lady Longhorns won the programs first playoff match by downing Ropes, 25-22, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, in the Class 2A Division II bi-district round on Monday night at Dimmitt High School.
The Lady Horns (33-5), who were the District 1-2A champions, are going to now square off with Van Horn (22-17) in the area round at 2 p.m. Saturday in Denver City.
Setter Raelyn Calhoun was incredible in the win dishing out 46 assists and tacked on 15 digs for a double-double. Hitter Jaz Martinez benefited from the Calhoun’s passing with 24 kills and was excellent on defense getting 17 digs for a double-double.
Teammate DJ DeGraaf had 22 digs and Tayson Schenk tallied 12 kills with three blocks.
Sanford-Fritch pummels Post
In a match the was mainly one-sided, Sanford-Fritch was able to pummel Post during a Class 2A Division I contest with a, 25-14, 25-14, 25-17, sweep Monday in Tulia.
Offensively, Rhyah Payne delivered at the net totaling nine kills and knocking down five blocks. Teammate Zoe Deatherage worked the offense with 13 assists while the serving was in good hands by Kalynn Roberts and Saydee Williams who each finished with four.
The Lady Eagles (27-7) move on to area for a meeting with Wink (37-7) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Littlefield.
Highland Park knocks off Olton
Highland Park had a strong ending to put away Olton in the Class 2A Division I bi-district round on Monday in Friona.
After splitting the first two sets 25-13, 17-25, the Lady Hornets closed out the Fillies winning the final two sets 25-21, 25-13 to get the victory.
Highland Park (21-19) is set to matchup with Forsan (27-12) in an area round match at a time and place to be determined.
With 27 digs in the match, Highland Park’s Bria Delgado celebrated a special milestone going over the 1,000 career digs mark.
Tessica Deanda quarterbacked the offense delivering 22 assists and Aaliyah Robinson benefitted with 12 kills.
CLASS 1A
Wildorado whips Wellman-Union
Following a strong finish to district, Wildorado used that momentum to nab a four-set, 25-20, 13-25, 25-11, 25-12, win against Wellman-Union in the Class 1A bi-district round Monday in Plainview.
The Lady Mustangs (11-14) push forward to the area round for a date with Marfa (14-11) at 11 a.m. Saturday in Brownfield.
Cacy Cornwell torched the Wellman-Union defense for 20 kills. Sonnel VanWyk led the team with 21 assists followed by Gisselle Esparza’s 10.
Bi-district scores
Class 3A
Shallowater def. Dalhart, 17-25, 17-25, 25-12, 25-16, 15-10
Records: Shallowater 30-11; Dalhart 25-9-1.
Class 2A
Plains def. West Texas High, 25-23, 25-20, 25-22
Records: Plains 24-11; West Texas High 20-15.
Class 1A
Loop def. Kelton, 3-0 (no score reported)
Records: Loop 5-10; Kelton 12-8.
TAPPS Class 2A
Ovilla Christian def. San Jacinto Christian Academy, 25-17, 25-16, 25-23
Records: Ovilla Christian 37-6; SJCA 34-6.