The Randall Lady Raiders receive their silver medals after falling to Lucas Lovejoy in the Class 5A state title game in Garland on Saturday. [Matt Smith/ Press Pass Sports]
GARLAND— Randall left it all on the floor Saturday afternoon, but in the end it wasn’t enough as prestigious Lucas Lovejoy took home its seventh state championship in program history with a (27-25, 25-17, 25-15), sweep in the Class 5A title game in front of 1,108 fans at the Culwell Center.
The momentum turned for Randall in the opening game. Randall led 23-22, until Lovejoy took the next two points. The Lady Raiders tied the game at 25, but two costly errors gave the Lady Leopards the final two points putting Randall in a 1-0 deficit.
“Dropping that first set really set a tone for them [Lovejoy],” Randall coach Haleigh Burns said. “We just made more mistakes than they did. Their ball control is unmatched. This was a different atmosphere, losing that set made it hard to comeback.”
Randall battled in the following two sets only to see Lovejoy rally for seven straight points in game two, and close out the state championship with 10 straight points in game three.
It’s the seventh title in the history of the the Lady Leopards program. Outside hitter Cecily Bramschreiber was named the 5A MVP with 20 kills in the match.
Randall, the class of the Texas Panhandle the past two years, finishes another stellar season at 43-4.
Randall huddles during its state title match against Lovejoy on Saturday. [Matt Smith/ Press Pass Sports]
The Lady Raiders won their second straight District 3-5A title and are currently riding a 41-match district win streak dating back three years.
Randall will say goodbye to a very talented senior class that was a part of 80 plus wins over the past two years, and back-to-back state tournament appearances.
“We’ve all been here for four years,” senior captain Zoe Parker said. “It’s weird knowing that we’re leaving. We wanted to win state, but I’m so proud of our team. We’re a close group and we’ve played some amazing volleyball.”
Senior Brianna Ford echoed Parker’s comment.
“We’ve all been together since second grade,” said Ford, who had 13 kills against Lovejoy. “I love this team and this is something I’ll never forget.”
Lovejoy def. Randall 27-25, 25-17, 25-15.
Records: Lovejoy 48-5; Randall 43-4.
Top performers
Randall
Kills: Brianna Ford 13; Zoe Parker 6.
Blocks: Stevie Reynecke 4; Kiar Parker 2.
Digs: Peyton Irwin 11; Toryn Barrientos 8.
Assists: Barrientos 16.
Aces: Parker 3.
Lovejoy
Kills: Cecily Bramschreiber 20; Ellie Jonke 11.
Blocks: Lexie Collins 2.
Digs: Averi Carlson 9; Emma Johnson 9.
Assists: Carlson 44.
Aces: Kylee Fitzsimmon 5.