Posted 3:07 pm Friday, September 25, 2009
John Tyler, Lee Open Volleyball League Play Against Each Other
By CHRIS PARRY and HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writers
Staff Writers
The District 11-5A volleyball season begins today, and what better way to kick things off than a clash between cross-town rivals John Tyler and Robert E. Lee.
The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at REL Varsity Gymnasium.
Both teams enjoyed successful non-district campaigns as JT enters with an 18-7 record and Lee posting a 22-9 mark.
Lady Raiders
REL head coach Melissa Lee was faced in the unenviable position of having to replace the entire starting lineup from a year ago. Olivia Jacobi and Caroline George were the only two returning seniors, and have picked up the slack with Jacobi averaging 2.3 kills per game and George totaling 1.7 kills per game.
"Olivia and Caroline, without a doubt I think as seniors they've really stepped up and taken on the role of some of those we lost last year," said Lee.
Also a big part of REL's early season success is the emergence of freshman Mallory Kuechle, who is second on the team with 140 kills, averaging 1.8 per game. Junior libero Sonorah Duty has been a constant at the back, leading the team with 233 digs.
REL also had to replace its starting setter from a year ago, and coach Lee said junior Kelsey Carr (364 assists) and freshman Rilee Miller (289 assists) are doing an admirable job.
"For them not to have any (varsity) experience, they've done really well," Lee said.
At the net is sophomore Stacy Malone (64 solo blocks), who has battled injuries, but made a dominant return to the lineup earlier this week, totaling nine kills in a match against Pleasant Grove.
Also a part of Lee's offensive rotation are juniors Alexus Watson (92 kills), Stephanie McAndrew (46 kills) and LaGloria Johnson.
Lee said her team will be without Duty and could also not have Johnson for the JT match.
REL's head coach admits she hasn't followed the rest of district teams closely, but knows what the Lady Raiders are up against Friday against Lady Lions.
"They are a solid team and Stephanie (March-Smith) has done a good job. They have a good setter and their middles are real strong," Lee said. "I think (to win this first match) confidence-wise, it's real important."
Lee understands her team isn't picked to challenge in the district due to the graduation of so many seniors.
"I think we'll do better than people expect us to do after losing everybody last year," Lee said. "My hope is that we surprise people."
Lady Lions
JT head coach Stephanie March-Smith hoped to see her team playing its best come district time.
The Lady Lions enter the meaty part of the season doing just that.
JT swept past Nacogdoches in impressive fashion on Tuesday. The victory marked the fourth consecutive for JT.
The non-district proved fruitful for the Lady Lions, who won their first two matches and won 11 straight matches at one point, bring home a tournament trophy from the inaugural Attack in Nac.
All-total, JT swept opponents in 15 of its 18 non-district wins.
"We've worked hard and off-season has paid off," said March-Smith, whose team has already won two more matches than last season. "We have a lot of athletic ability, and we're playing fundamentally-sound. We've been able to mesh the two together."
The fairly-young JT roster comprises three seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and freshman Jesslan Carroll.
Players heavily responsible for JT's quick start include: senior setter Monecia Preston, the leading assist-producer, junior hitters Shakendra Mumphrey and Ajanay Domena, middle blockers Jennifer McGowan (sophomore) and GabriElla Wilson (junior), and senior defensive specialists Alexandria Johnson and Kelvicia Warren.
Mumphrey leads the team in kills per game (3.1), followed by Domena (2.5), Wilson (1.8), McGowan (1.4) and junior hitter/setter Chelsea Black (1.2).
The Lady Lions embark on the district season tied for the least amount of losses with North Mesquite (25-8). North Mesquite leads the way in winning percentage (.757), followed by Robert E. Lee (.709), JT (.680), DeSoto (.615), Mesquite Horn (.391) and Mesquite (.366).
Defending district champion Mesquite (11-19), along with last year's runner-up Mesquite Horn (9-13-1), come in struggling and DeSoto (16-9-1) in the midst of a turnaround after finishing last a year ago.
"We're in it to be competitive," said March-Smith, whose team last defeated Lee in 2005. "We feel like we're capable of (being in the district title race). I want us to be at the top. We have to pass the ball well, block well, play good defense and stay healthy. All of the above."
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Troup Unbeaten In Pool Play
At West Rusk Tournament
Troup Unbeaten In Pool Play
At West Rusk Tournament
NEW LONDON -- The Troup Lady Tigers went 3-0 in their pool Thursday in the West Rusk Volleyball Tournament.
Troup scored wins over Hawkins (25-17, 25-17), Carlisle (25-14, 25-15) and Overton (18-25, 25-18, 25-19).
Standouts for Troup were Monie Rodgers (27 kills, 5 aces, 5 blocks, 6 digs), Jessica Ross (27 kills, 6 aces, 22 digs), Hunter Jordan (2 kills, ace, dig), Taryn Dyess (3 kills, 58 assists, 7 digs, 2 blocks), Jasmin Stewart (5 kills, dig), Calyn Wilkie (21 digs), Molly Scruggs (kill, 6 digs), Allie Bowers (ace, 9 digs) and Cheasley Tomlin (4 aces, 25 digs).
