Hereford celebrates after sweeping Dumas in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals at the WTAMU Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Hereford jumped out to a fast start on its way to getting past Dumas 25-13, 25-22, 26-24 in a Class 4A quarterfinal at a packed West Texas A&M Fieldhouse Tuesday night in Canyon.
The Lady Whitefaces (32-14 overall) win their third straight gold ball of the playoffs, and are now set for a second straight appearance at the Region I-4A Tournament in Abilene.
“Everyone’s goal is to get back where you were last year,” Hereford coach Catherine Beville said. “We did that and we’re where we want to be, but our ultimate goal is the state tournament. The team set that at the first of the year so we have to keep going forward.”
Dumas, the District 4-4A champions, end another solid year at 25-19.
Hereford will meet Argyle (35-5) in a regional semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday on the campus of McMurray University in Abilene.
The Lady Whitefaces jumped up 11-0, rolling to a 25-13 first set win against Amarillo-area foe Dumas on Tuesday. Though they ended up with the sweep, the Demonettes hung in the match, however, couldn’t break through to take a game.
Darcy Dodd and Tatyum Stow were strong at the net for Hereford. Dodd finished a great showing on offense and defense with 14 digs to go with 11 kills. Stow was equally impressive, totaling 14kills and six blocks.
Dumas was led by
Abree Elsheimer’s nine kills and Sydnee Wackler’s 18 assists.
Hereford def. Dumas 25-13, 25-22, 26-24.
Records: Hereford 32-14; Dumas 25-19.
Top performers
Hereford
Kills: Tatyum Stow 14; Darcy Dodd 11.
Blocks: Stow 6; Dodd 3.
Digs: Dodd 14; Miranda Acosta 13.
Assists: Rainey Aven 25.
Aces: Dodd 1.
Dumas
Kills: Abree Elsheimer 9; Niki Kent 7; Macie Medrano 7.
Blocks: Abree Elsheimer 4.5; Brenley Rodriguez 2.
Digs: Jadan Price 15; Sydnee Wackler 11.
Assists: Sydnee Wackler 18; Francine Hernandez 6.
Canyon cruises past Pampa
Canyon defeated Pampa in a Class 4A regional quarterfinal in Borger on Tuesday. [Provided photo]
In a meeting of two Texas Panhandle teams, Canyon was able to soar past Pampa in Class 4A regional quarterfinal with a sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-23) Tuesday night in Borger.
With the victory, both Canyon and Hereford from District 3-4A made it a perfect night over District 4-4A in quarterfinal matchups.
Canyon heads to the Region 1-4A Tournament for a second straight year, where they’ll face Krum (32-11) at 7 p.m. Friday on the campus of McMurray University in Abilene.
“It’s huge for us to get back to the regional tournament,” Canyon coach Sara Morath said. “This is one of the goals we set. Now we can reavulate our goals and move forward. Pampa is a really good team with some good hitters.
“We’ve played without senior Emma Crenshaw for three games, she’s been fighting an illness, so we had to change some things so im proud of how the team has responded.”
Canyon never left doubt controlling the majority of the match. Senior Bryli Contreras played her normal game with 20 digs and two aces. Teammate Zoey Sparks led the team with 13 kills and two blocks.
Pampa, who was making its first appearance in a regional quarterfinal since 2010, ends its year at 27-13.
Canyon def. Pampa 25-19, 25-15, 25-23.
Records: Canyon 29-15; Pampa 27-13.
Top performers
Canyon
Kills: Zoey Sparks 13; Raylee Bain 9, Carlee Henderson 9.
Blocks: Sparks 2; Kendra Evans 2.
Digs: Bryli Contreras 20.
Assists: Lauren Bell 23; Keelie Mitchell 14.
Aces: Contreras 2.
Class 5A
Ford’s effort leads Randall back to regional tournament
The Randall Lady Raiders beat Aledo in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal match in Vernon on Tuesday. [Provided photo]
Star players step up in huge situations, and that was what Randall senior Brianna Ford did for her Lady Raiders on Tuesday night in Vernon.
In a battle of two of the region’s top teams, Ford took matters into her own hands, lifting Randall past a talented Aledo squad, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 29-27, in the Class 5A regional quarterfinal.
The Lady Cats played tough, giving No. 3 Randall everything they wanted. Aledo even took the first set, 25-20, then Ford turned it up to another level. Time and time again the Lady Raiders set their 6-foot-1 powerful righty. Ford and Randall went on to win the next three games though it wasn’t easy. But when it was all said and done, it was Ford’s masterful 23 kills, 21 digs, three blocks and three aces that were the difference.
“Bri stepped up big time,” Randall coach Haleigh Burns. “She did what we needed her to do. She was a leader and kept her composure, and held us together.“
Randall wins its 40th match of the season, moving to 40-3 overall. Aledo, the District 4-5A champs, end its year at 29-16.
The Lady Raiders advance to the Region I-5A Tournament for a seventh straight year as a program, and the first under Burns.
“It’s huge for us and a great feeling to get to the regional tournament,” Burns said. “Everyone is stepping up, and we have that fight. It’s incredible to watch.”
Randall will face Grapevine (30-15) in a Region I-5A semifinal at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Lubbock Coronado.
Randall def. Aledo 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 29-27.
Records: Randall 40-3; Aledo 29-16.
Top performers
Kills: Brianna Ford 21; Kiar Parker 14.
Blocks: Stevie Reynecke 4; Ford 3.
Digs: Ford 23; Zoe Parker 19.
Assists: Torryn Barrientos 26; Merritt Snell 22.
Aces: Ford 3.
AHS beats Chapin, advances to regional tournament
Amarillo High advanced to the Region I-5A championship for a ninth straight year. [Provided photo]
Amarillo High is headed back to the Region I-5A tournament for a ninth straight year after a four-set win (25-19, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21) against
El Paso Chapin in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal on Tuesday in Kermit.
AHS keeps up its hot play, improving to 31-13 overall on the season.
It’s not only a ninth straight visit to a regional tournament for the Lady Sandies, but its also their 26th time to make it in the last 28 years.
The Lady Sandies defense was key in the victory against a strong hitting Chapin (30-8) team. Piper Warren had 10 digs, followed by Hannah Shipman with nine. Shipman also passed the ball extremely well, handing out 42 assists.
Up front, sophomore Currie Marusak continues her strong postseason with a team-high 15 kills. Ashlyn Vinyard added 12.
“First off, it extends our season,” first-year AHS coach Mike Moffitt said. “This was one of our goals coming into the year and now we can look forward to more. I know at AHS we have a lot of tradition, but It’s really special to go play at the regional tournament. There’s a lot of schools that don’t get to that experience, so we’re grateful. As for the game, We played great against Chapin. Chapin serves it hard and plays great defense. Our passers handled it well and did a great job.”
AHS will now face Fort Worth Boswell (32-14) in a Region I-5A semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Lubbock Coronado.
Amarillo High def. El Paso Chapin 25-19, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21.
Records: Amarillo High 32-13; EP Chapin 30-8.
Top performers
AHS
Kills: Currie Marusak 15; Ashlyn Vinyard 12.
Blocks: Marusak 2; Chelsie Freeman 2.
Digs: Piper Warren 10; Hannah Shipman 9.
Assists: Shipman 42.
Aces: Freeman 4.
Class 3A
Bushland dismantles Denver City
Bushland has won a Texas Panhandle-best 44 matches this season. [Provided photo]
It was like another day at the office for the No. 1-ranked Bushland Lady Falcons in their Class 3A regional quarterfinal matchup against Denver City.
Bushland came out blazing, outmatching the Phillies in every position on the floor for a quick, 25-10, 25-10, 25-11, sweep Tuesday night at Lubbock Cooper.
The Lady Falcons are now an eye-opening 44-1 overall, winning 38 straight matches, while advancing to an unprecedented 10th regional tournament.
“The team is playing well,” Bushland coach Jason Culpepper said. “Our seniors have done a great job and that’s what you need. We’re getting better each day and taking care of business. It’s fun to watch.“
Bushland’s Shaylee Laubhan led the way with 12 kills. Addyson Tiffin added nine kills and four blocks, while Ansley Sims made 24 assists.
The Lady Falcons move on to the Region I-3A Tournament where they’ll face Brock (38-7) in a semifinal at 8 p.m. Friday night at Lubbock Cooper.
Bushland def. Denver City 25-10, 25-10, 25-11.
Records:Bushland 44-1; Denver City 38-10.
Top performers
Bushland
10-10-11
Kills: Shaylee Lauban 12; Addyson Tiffin 9.
Blocks: Tiffin 4.
Asst: Ansley Sims 24; Taryn Shultz 13.
Digs: Berrilyn Boydston 19.
Aces: Shultz 4.
Class 2A
Lady Hornets swarm Plains
Highland Park is regional tournament bound for a second straight year after beating Plains on Tuesday in Plainview. [Provided photo]
Highland Park dominated in its Class 3A regional quarterfinal, sweeping past Plains by a 25-16, 25-13, 25-18 count on Tuesday night in Plainview.
Do-it-all player Cynarah Rodriquez had a huge night in the victory for Highland Park. The senior knocked down a game-high 16 kills, dished out nine assists and served up six aces, not to mention added a block to her stats.
Rodriquez’s sister, Nevaeh, a sophomore, chipped in with 12 kills and Cassidy DeShong had 16 assists.
The Lady Hornets (36-8 overall) are headed back to the Region I-2A Tournament for a second straight year.
Highland Park will face Miles in a Region I-2A Tournament semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday in San Angelo.
Also in Class 2A, Sanford-Fritch fell in five-sets to Wink on Tuesday night at Frenship.
Highland Park def. Plains 25-16, 25-13, 25-18.
Record: Highland Park 36-8.
Top performers
Kills: Cynarah Rodriquez 16; Nevaeh Rodriquez 12.
Blocks: Mercedes Harton; 1 C. Rodriquez 1.
Assists Cassidy DeShong 16; C Rodriquez 9.
Digs: Emma Patterson 11; DeShong 5.
Aces C. Rodriquez 6; Bailey Harrison 3.
H.S. Regional quarterfinal scores
Class 2A
Wink def. Sanford-Fritch 3-2.
Class 1A
Fort Davis def. Miami, 3-0
Klondike def. Wildorado 25-14, 25-21, 25-8.