Bushland certainly wasn’t on its top game Tuesday night, however, handled Shallowater (37-5) throughout the match downing the Fillies in relatively convincing fashion 25-15, 25-17, 25-19, in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal in Dimmitt.
“It is hard to beat a team three times,” Bushland head coach Jason Culpepper said. “But when you work hard every day, and you go take care of business you know what is going to happen.”
The Lady Falcons also kept a couple of very impressive streaks intact. Bushland ran its playoff win streak to 17 straight games dating back over the last three years. The two-time defending state champions also showed the programs pedigree advancing to a regional tournament for a 13th straight season.
“It says a lot for the Bushland community,” Culpepper said. “This program has always worked hard, and this team now does the same thing. It shows on the court. We came out excited in this match and it showed.”
Senior standout Kaela Neie was dominant at the net knocking down 15 kills, followed by Madyson Eberly’s 10 kills and three blocks. Kenzie Sims and Logan Culpepper did a great job controlling the offense. Culpepper handed out a team-high 25 assists with Sims adding 12 assists and three blocks, and the unsung hero of the team Jada Permenter played her stellar defense with 18 digs.
Bushland (38-4) will take on Wall (37-6) in a Region I-3A Tournament semifinal at 8 p.m Friday night at Lubbock-Cooper High School.
Class 4A
Randall takes out Monahans
Getting a tougher challenge than some fans may have expected, Randall was able to pull away from Monahans during a Class 4A regional quarterfinal getting a four-set victory 18-25, 25-15, 30-28, 25-18, on Tuesday night in Brownfield.
The No. 6-ranked Lady Raiders (36-8) punch a ticket to the Region I-4A Tournament where they’ll take on Decatur (27-18) in a semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday at Frenship High School.
Junior outside hitter Jordyn Gove surpassed a special milestone in the victory. Gove played lights out with 26 kills against Monahans giving her over 1,000 kills for her career. Gove added 27 digs for an impressive double-double and chipped in three blocks. Teammate Sidney Soria was masterful as usual passing out 55 assists with 15 digs for a double-double of her own.
Class 5A
Lubbock-Cooper stuns Amarillo High
A new chapter began while one came to an end during a thrilling Class 5A regional quarterfinal match in Dimmitt on Tuesday night.
Lubbock-Cooper fended off an Amarillo High rally coming away with a five-set victory 20-25, 25-15, 25-21, 18-25, 15-12, advancing the Lady Pirates to their first ever regional tournament in program history.
While it’s the first time for Lubbock-Cooper (37-5) to make a regional tourney, it’s the first time in 11 years the tradition-rich Lady Sandies missed a regional tournament and only the second time since 1991.
AHS (33-10) took the first set but fell behind after dropping the next two. The Lady Sandies rallied back behind a strong defense taking the fourth game 25-18 to force a fifth and decisive set. During that final set to 15 points, Lubbock-Cooper’s Hope Douglass and D’Mya Hill were too much for the Lady Sandies to overcome. Douglass smashed three kills in the fifth set alone and finished with 19 kills for the match. Hill was hard to handle tallying 15 kills with nine digs.
AHS was led by Jo Moffitt, the oldest daughter of head coach Mike Moffitt, who played her final game in a Lady Sandies uniform. Jo ended her stellar career with 36 assists against Lubbock-Cooper, eight digs and three blocks.
Class 2A
Highland Park cruises to regional tourney
For the first time in three years the Highland Park Lady Hornets are headed back to the Region I-2A Tournament.
The No. 7-ranked Lady Hornets pounded Plains in sweeping fashion 25-23, 25-23, 25-13 in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal at Plainview High School on Tuesday.
Highland Park (35-7) is making its first appearance at a regional tourney since the 2019 season. The Lady Hornets are set to face Water Valley (25-12) in a Region I-2A semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday at San Angelo Central High School.
Kyra Courtemanche was clutch against Plains (29-13) leading the team with 15 kills adding three blocks and two aces. Mercedes Harton was her superb self-guiding Highland Park with 25 assists, six kills and four aces, and teammate Melanie Koval chipped in with eight kills and four blocks.
Amarillo-area regional quarterfinal scores
Class 3A
Odessa Compass def. Friona 25-13, 25-12, 20-25, 25-13
Class 1A
Van Horn def. Miami 25-17, 25-14, 25-23