Randall celebrates a point during its district match with Amarillo High on Tuesday night at the Amarillo High Activity Center. [John Moore/ Press Pass Sports]
It was everything the Battle of Bell Street was suppose to be.
A packed house, electric energy, and two of the top volleyball programs in the state going head-to-head for district supremacy.
In the end, No. 3-ranked Randall proved too much for Amarillo High, taking down the Lady Sandies on their home floor, 25-23, 26-24, 11-25, 25-14, on Tuesday night.
The Lady Raiders take over sole possession of first place in District 3-5A with a 7-0 record, improving to 28-3 overall.
Randall has now won four straight against its arch rival dating back to 2017 while running its district win streak to 33 straight games.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” Randall coach Haleigh Burns said. “I live for this, and my team thrives on this. That’s what makes Amarillo volleyball so exciting. This kind of night. But we showed up. Our defense was tremendous.”
AHS (21-12 overall) suffers its first district loss, falling to 6-1.
The Lady Sandies came out on fire taking a commanding 17-12 lead in the first game.
That’s when Randall turned to the power of senior hitter Brianna Ford. Ford was a force the entire match, knocking down six kills in the first set, leading Randall to a 25-23 win in game one.
Randall‘s Brianna Ford knocks down one of her 16 kills on Tuesday night. [John Moore/ Press Pass Sports]
“I can turn to Bri and say ‘No. 17, it’s time to go to work,” Burns said. “She has that competitive spirit. Bri missed last years game so she wanted to make a difference and she did.”
Ford ended the night with a dominting performance of 16 kills.
But the Randall defense is also to credit. Libero Peyton Irwin made 20 digs, followed by senior captain Zoe Parker with 14.
When the Lady Sandies tried to rally in the second game, trailing 25-24, it was the defense clinching the game when Torryn Barrientos and Addison Norman blocked a Corrin Davis kill.
Barrientos led the team with 23 assists.
AHS was les by Hannah Shipman’s 36 assists as well as Ashlyn Vinyard’s nine kills.
NEXT UP
Randall faces another big 3-5A match when Lubbock Monterey (27-7, 6-1) comes to town at noon, Saturday.
The Lady Sandies travel to Lubbock High at noon, Saturday.
Randall def. Amarillo High 25-23, 26-24, 11-25, 25-14.
Records: Randall 28-3, 7-0; Amarillo High 21-12, 6-1.
Top Performers
Randall
Kills: Brianna Ford 16, Zoe Parker 8.
Blocks: Addison Norman 3, Stevie Reynecke 3.
Digs: Peyton Irwin 20, Z. Parker 14.
Assists: Torryn Barrientos 23.
Aces: Reynecke 2, Barrientos 2.
Amarillo High
Kills: Ashlyn Vinyard 9, Currie Marusak 8.
Blocks: Lauren Marler 5, Vinyard 4.
Digs: Piper Warren 15, Lauren Shaffer 8.
Assists: Hannah Shipman 36.
Aces: Warren 2.