The defending UIL Class 4A state champion Randall Lady Raiders are off to a blistering hot start to open the 2023 campaign.
Randall went a perfect 9-0 on Thursday through Saturday to claim the Grandbury Tournament championship.
The Lady Raiders (19-1 overall) picked up victories over Joshua (25-20, 22-25, 25-19), Brennan (25-18, 25-18), and Denton Ryan (25-21, 23-25, 25-11). Randall also knocked off Amarillo-are foes in Tascosa, 25-14, 25-18, and then beat Bell Street rival, Amarillo High, twice. Randall beat AHS on Friday, 25-17, 23-25, 25-22, then took down the Lady Sandies in the championship game on Saturday, 27-25, 25-22.
Junior setter Sidney Soria was the Tournament MVP for the Lady Raiders. Soria tallied an incredible 263 assists over the nine wins with 77 digs and 26 kills. Teammate Jordyn Gove made the All-Tournament team with 123 kills and 81 digs while Brooke Henderson chipped in with 68 digs and 60 kills.
Despite the two losses to Randall, AHS went 6-3 with a runner-up finish. After falling to Stephenville on Thursday, the Lady Sandies turned around and defeated Stephenville on Saturday, 17-25, 25-15, 25-19 to make the finals. Bird Moffitt was named to the All-Tournament team racking up 83 digs with 15 assists. Sienna Cavalier totaled 97 kills with 69 digs.
Randall and Amarillo High will ironically square off for the third time in five days at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the AHS Activity Center.
West Plains wins Graham Tournament
The West Plains Lady Wolves went unbeaten to win the Graham Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
The Lady Wolves (15-4 overall) went 6-0 overall defeating UIL Class 2A state champion, Windthorst, in the championship game, 23-25, 25-15, 25-18. Piper Patterson, Kynzie Ward and Aaniyah Kitchen were all named to the All-Tournament team for West Plains.
Bushland takes silver at the Glen Rose Tournament
The Bushland Lady Falcons had a very strong showing coming in runner-up at the Glen Rose Tournament with a 7-2 mark over Friday and Saturday.
Out of the 42-team tournament, Bushland tallied notable wins over Melissa, 25-23, 25-16, Denton High, 25-22, 25-21, and Midlothian Heritage, 25-14, 25-14. The Lady Falcons eventually fell to Class 5A Liberty Hill in the championship game, 25-23, 26-24.
Abby Howell and Mackenzie Sims were named to the All-Tournament squad. Howell knocked down 65 kills over the tournament with 15 digs. Sims dished out 110 assists with 30 digs and 46 kills.
Palo Duro claims River Road Tournament championship
The Palo Duro Lady Dons had a big weekend by bringing home the River Road Tournament championship on Friday and Saturday.
The Lady Dons (10-3-1) overall picked up victories over Vega (15-10, 15-13), Idalou (25-19, 25-20), All Saints (25-20, 25-22) and beat Dalhart in the championship game (25-22, 25-22).
Senior standout Erin Mims led the way with 47 digs and 38 kills to go with seven aces. Teammate Aniyah Burley added 88 assists, and Syvihanna Miranda Sutton knocked down 26 kills with 43 digs.
San Jacinto Christian Academy won the Silver Bracket of the Tournament. The Lady Patriots were able to sweep Miami, 25-19, 26-24 in the Silver Bracket finals. Harlee Brabham led the team in the win.