College Sports

By JOE BUIE
Staff Writer

The Tyler Junior College volleyball team was digging both pink and a victory Thursday night at Wagstaff Gymnasium.

In conjunction with a Dig Pink National Breast Cancer Awareness Rally, the Apache Ladies closed out their 2008 home schedule with a 3-1 win over Panola.

TJC, sporting pink T-shirts, snapped a five-match losing streak as Angela Robinson and Chelsea Lyons combined for 31 kills to lead a 25-21, 25-27, 25-15, 25-23 victory.

Lyons, a freshman outside hitter from Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, had eight kills in the final game to ignite a TJC rally.

Panola (16-12, 2-4 conf.) was two points from forcing a fifth game, leading 23-19, before the Fillies lost the next point on an errant serve.

TJC sophomore Kelcie Miller then served the next five points to clinch the match, with Lyons hammering home points 21, 23 and 25.

"Tonight they played like they wanted to do well," said TJC head coach Dana Hatch, whose team improved to 14-13 overall and 3-4 in conference play. "I think the energy was a lot better."

The Apache Ladies had key contributions from several players in the victory. Robinson, a freshman from Paris High School, totaled 16 kills to Lyons' 15. TJC had a good night from the service line with Chelsea Manningham (six), Miller (three) and Claire Barnett (two) combining for 11 aces. The two setters, Manningham and Flavia Canossa, combined for 44 assists. Miller led the defensive charge with 20 digs. Lyons was next with 11 and Marianna Franca had eight digs. Meagan Coleman and Brittany Simples contributed two solo blocks apiece.

Community Mourns Loss Of 3 Best Friends   02/07/12
Firefighters: Smoke At Tyler Paper Likely From Old A/C Unit   02/07/12
Police: Boy Helps Capture Plane Theft Suspect   02/08/12
Winnsboro Man Gets 33 Years In Child Beating Case   02/07/12
Child Battles Very Rare, Incurable, Fatal Disease   02/07/12
Trial Set Thursday For Man Accused In Deputy's Shooting   02/07/12
Komen Official Quits After Planned Parenthood Dispute   02/07/12
Tyler ISD Long-Range Plan OK'd   02/07/12
UT Tyler, Discovery Science Place Forming Collaboration   02/07/12
Woman Found Along Interstate Died From Cocaine Use   02/06/12
Baseball Legend’s Wife Pays Visit To Texas College   02/06/12
Brother Enters Plea, Gets 20 Years For Shooting Sister   02/03/12
Saturday Wreck Kills Three In Rusk County   02/06/12
Grassroots Group Scrutinizes TISD Long-Range Plan   02/08/12
Firefighters Respond To TMT Smoke   02/08/12
Photos: Bullard High School Winter Formal   02/06/12
D.C. Internships Open For UT Tyler Students   02/06/12
Republican Face Off In Cherokee County GOP Forum   02/08/12
Teacher, 26, Killed In Accident   02/04/12
Fit City 10-in-10 Challenge Weighs In At Tyler Senior Center   02/07/12