The Battle of Bell Street rivalry rekindles once again between two of best Class 5A has to offer.
Amarillo High, the No. 9-ranked team in 5A, makes the quick trip down Bell for a huge showdown against No. 3 Randall at noon, Saturday.
Randall handed AHS its only loss in District 3-5A in a 3-1 victory (25-23, 26-24, 11-25, 25-14) during the first matchup on Sept. 24., at Amarillo High.
It seems when when these two elite programs clash, major implications are always on the line.
With two matches left in the regular season the Lady Raiders (35-3 overall) are 14-0 in district, with a chance to clinch the outright District 3-5A title for a third straight year if they beat the Lady Sandies.
“Winning district is a big part of what we’re wanting to do this year,” first-year Randall coach Haleigh Burns said. “It was a goal from the start, and we hope it’s a stepping stone for what we’re wanting to accomplish going forward.”
Randall has been flat out unbeatable in league play since 2017, riding an incredible 40-game district win streak.
AHS (28-12 overall, 13-1 in district) was the last team to beat Randall over two years ago. There’s nothing more than the Lady Sandies want to do than stop that streak.
More importantly for the Lady Sandies, they need to beat the Lady Raiders to pull even in the district race.
“Randall has put themselves in a really good spot,” first-year AHS coach Mike Moffitt said. “It’s up to us to go earn a share of that district title. We’ve got a lot to play for on our side of the net. I really like how we’re playing, and our team is excited to see Randall again.”
Amarillo High players to watch
Middle blocker Chelsie Freeman leads a veteran AHS team seem to hit its stride. The 6-foot-1 senior has racked up 248 kills to go with 63 digs and 61 blocks. Hannah Shipman, one the state’s top setters, will also be one to watch. The senior leader has dished out 946 assists, adding 254 digs and 165 kills.
Randall players to watch
Lady Raiders senior Bri Ford was the difference in the first meeting between AHS and Randall, just like she’s been all season. The 6-foot-1 outside hitter has tallied 347 kills with 288 digs and 79 blocks. Teammate and captain Zoe Parker compliments Ford, having a great year of her own. Parker has put up 243 kills on the year with 240 digs and 69 aces.
District 3-5A
Team District Overall
x-Randall 14-0 35-3
x-Amarillo High 13-1 28-12
x-Monterey 12-3 34-9
x-Cooper 8-6 26-16
Coronado 6-8 21-16
Caprock 6-9 21-19
Plainview 4-10 14-20
Palo Duro 1-13 7-28
Lubbock High 0-14 10-28
Friday’s matches
Caprock at Coronado, 5 p.m.
Plainview at Cooper, 5 p.m.
Saturday’s matches
Amarillo High at Randall, noon
Palo Duro at Lubbock High, noon
District 2-6A
Team District Overall
y-Frenship 7-1 30-8
x-Tascosa 5-3 22-15
x-Midland Lee 5-3 28-7
x-Midland High 5-3 18-18
Odessa Permian 2-6 16-20
Odessa High 0-8 12-22
Friday’s matches
Matches at 5 p.m.
Midland Lee at Tascosa
Odessa Permian at Midland High
Frenship at Odessa High
District 3-4A
Team District Overall
x-Hereford 6-0 28-13
x-Canyon 6-1 25-15
x-Levelland 3-3 22-14
Lamesa 1-6 21-16
Estacado 0-6 14-21
Saturday’s matches
Matches at 1 p.m.
Levelland at Hereford
Lamesa at Estacado
District 4-4A
Team District Overall
x-Pampa 6-0 24-10
x-Dumas 6-1 20-18
x-Borger 3-3 13-21
Dalhart 1-5 8-27
Perryton 0-6 10-14
Saturday’s matches
Matches at 1 p.m.
Pampa at Dalhart
Perryton at Borger
District 1-3A
Team District Overall
y-Bushland 7-0 40-1
x-Tulia 4-2 15-22
x-Friona 2-3 10-25
x-River Road 2-4 10-23
Dimmitt 0-7 4-29
Saturday’s matches
Matches at 1 p.m.
River Road at Tulia
Dimmitt at Friona
District 4-2A
Team District Overall
y-H. Park 12-0 31-8
x-S. Fritch 10-2 25-7
x-WT High 7-5 16-13
x-Memphis 7-5 16-13
x-Miami 5-7 14-12
x-Wildorado 5-7 14-14
Olton 2-10 3-24
x-F. Elliott 0-12 1-22
Saturday’s matches
Matches start at noon
Fort Elliott at Highland Park
Sanford-Fritch at Memphis
Miami at West Texas High
Olton at Wildorado
x-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched district championship