High School Sports

LUFKIN -- Lufkin downed a short-handed John Tyler squad, 3-1, in a non-district volleyball match on Tuesday.

The competitive contest saw Lufkin win the first two games, drop the third, then nip JT in the clincher for a 25-21, 25-20, 19-25, 28-26 victory.

Briona Jordan led JT with seven kills and Shakendra Mumphrey added six kills.

Chelsea Black was cited for "stepping up and showing great leadership" by JT coach Stephanie March-Smith.

"We're playing good," March-Smith said. "We're just missing players."

The Lady Lions, who dropped to 4-5 with the setback, played minus three girls.

JT's freshman Blue team defeated Lufkin in two games (25-18, 27-25) to even its record at 1-1. The junior varsity did not play.

The Lady Lions get back to action on Friday in the Marshall/ETBU Invitational. JT is grouped in a pool with Bullard, Jefferson and New Boston.

BULLARD -- The Lady Panthers had too much up front for the Lady Cougars on Tuesday night as Bullard swept Grace Community.

Bullard won by scores of 25-14, 25-16, 25-13 in the total team victory for the Lady Panthers (5-2).

Calli Miller was up to her usual well-rounded game with nine kills, 11 service points, five aces and 20 digs.

The front line for Bullard was dominating throughout as Alesia Coleman (eight kills), Valerie Roberts (seven kills, 21 digs), and Brittany Glover put together six kills, five solo blocks and seven service points.

Raven Whatley and Heather Camp set up the attack with 12 and nine assists, respectively, for Bullard.

The Lady Cougars (1-2) were forced into too many unforced errors, combining for 35 in the series.

Grace was paced by Katie Gusa and Emma Hunter with five and four kills, while Sidney McFerron made four blocks and four saves.

Lindsey Stackhouse and Kallie Konon combined for 15 assists to set the Lady Cougars offense.

Grace plays in the Fort Worth Christian Tournament this weekend.

After a third-place finish in Carthage last week, the Lady Panthers will play in the Marshall Tournament with pool-play against John Tyler, New Boston and Jefferson beginning at 1:15 p.m. Friday at East Texas Baptist University.

The teams split the sub-varsity action. Grace beat Bullard 25-17, 25-18 in the freshman tilt, and the Bullard junior varsity won 25-11, 25-11.

KEMP -- Edgewood evened its record with a 25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 25-13 victory against Kemp on Tuesday.

The Lady Bulldogs were led by Ashley Kay (seven kills, seven aces, five blocks, two digs), Emily Eggleston (seven kills, five aces, block) and Brittney Eason (two kills, 11 assists, five aces, two digs).

Edgewood (2-2) will be in the North Hopkins tournament beginning Thursday.

BROWNSBORO -- Brownsboro improved to 4-1 on the season with a 3-1 win over Alba-Golden Tuesday in a volleyball match.

The Bearettes scored a 25-20, 17-25, 25-18, 25-12 victory.

Standouts for Brownsboro were Hillary Shaffer (six kills, four blocks), Abby Hernandez (six assists), Chelsea Chambers (10 assists), Naomi Scott (four kills, two blocks), Catie Collins (three kills) and Shelbi Holt (three kills).

Brownsboro also won the JV (25-11, 15-25, 25-4) and freshman (25-8, 18-25, 27-25) matches.

The Bearettes compete in the Eustace Tournament beginning Friday.

Rains Takes Two

CRANDALL -- Rains dropped only one game en route to two victories Tuesday over Mabank and Crandall.

Rains swept Mabank 25-15, 25-22, 25-19 and beat Crandall 25-12, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20.

The top hitters for Rains included Chelsea Hudson, Torie Talkington, Katelyn Wade and Payton Hooten.

Also, Danielle Huddleston and Nikka Kellam were cited for "great defense" by Rains coach Kim Talkington.

Rains, which improved to 4-1 on the season. returns to action Friday to take on Commerce.

LINDALE -- Quitman chalked up a pair of wins over Kaufman and Lindale Tuesday in a non-district volleyball dual match.

Quitman opened with a 3-0 win over Kaufman -- 25-18, 25-17, 25-16.

The Lady Bulldogs (8-2) needed four games to beat Lindale by scores of 25-20, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23.

Kim Johnson put up big offensive and defensive numbers with 13 kills and 15 digs for Quitman.

Abbey Belp (11 kills, five aces), Candace Rushing (11 kills, 14 digs) and Carrie Canton (nine kills, two blocks) all helped in the hitting department.

Katlyn Taylor recorded 46 assists.