Seven Lakes and Fort Bend Austin earned berths in the 6A Region III championship match with wins in Friday’s semifinal matches at the Campbell Center.
The Spartans dispatched Clear Springs 26-24, 25-18, 18-25, 25-17, while the Bulldogs swept Cinco Ranch 25-16, 25-18, 25-11.
Austin dominated all facets of its contest against Cinco Ranch, using strong serving and transition to set up its hitting attack. Paige Swinney led the Bulldogs with 17 kills. Madison Rhoder and Kayley Hollywood contributed nine and eight kills, respectively.
Setters Mallory Nicholson and Erin Anthony spread out the Bulldog attack.
“We are blessed to have two amazing setters,” Austin coach Amy Cataline said. “They helped us remain focused on our goal, which was to beat Cinco Ranch.”
Seven Lakes relied on a strong front line to keep Clear Springs on the defensive. Maggie O’Connell, Camille Conner, Tulani Titley and Beryl Eden combined for 40 kills for the Spartans.
Clear Springs used good defense to remain competitive. Kylie Jedlicka led the Chargers offensive attack with a match high 26 kills.
Region II
Dallas Highland Park could not solve the shutdown defense of Oak Ridge on Friday and the result was a 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 25-17 loss in the region semifinals at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville.
Oak Ridge improves to 34-6 and advances to Saturday’s championship against district rival and two-time defending champion The Woodlands, which has won three of four meetings between the teams this year. The Highlanders beat Richardson Pearce 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21.
“We know what to expect,” said Oak Ridge coach Tommie Sledge. “We played with a lot of heart tonight and we have to do it again tomorrow.”
With the exception of the second set, which Highland Park won with the help of late Oak Ridge errors, the War Eagles were in control as the back row, led by libero Raigen Cianciulli, continually frustrated Highland Park hitters.
Junior Brooke Clark led Oak Ridge with 14 kills, 22 digs and four aces while the middle tandem of Hailey Lohnes and Molly Russell combined for 24 kills. Cianciulli finished with 34 digs.
“We just could not put the ball away,” said Highland Park coach Michael Deadman, whose Scots finish the season 43-7. “Their defense did a great job.”
The defending champions had to dig themselves out of an early hole.
“We start slow, that’s just how we are,” said coach Terri Wade. “But as long as we get the momentum back, I’m OK with that.”
Pearce didn’t have an answer for senior middle Hannah Hickman, who finished with 13 kills and 6.5 blocks. Sophie Walls had 29 assists and Mia Primavera finished with 24 digs for The Woodlands.
