Posted 12:43 pm Monday, November 02, 2009
Lady Lions Returning To Volleyball Playoffs Tonight
By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer
FAIRFIELD -- John Tyler faces a tall order while believing it has a fair chance tonight as the Class 5A state volleyball playoffs begin.
Staff Writer
FAIRFIELD -- John Tyler faces a tall order while believing it has a fair chance tonight as the Class 5A state volleyball playoffs begin.
The Lady Lions, in the postseason for the first time in four years, open with District 12-5A champion College Station A&M Consolidated at 7 p.m. tonight at Fairfield High School.
JT (22-13) makes its return to the playoffs against the state's eighth-ranked team. A&M Consolidated finished a perfect 14-0 in district play while JT placed fourth in 11-5A with a 4-6 mark.
The rangy A&M Consolidated lineup features 6-5 senior middle blocker Karla Gilbert, a Texas A&M basketball commit listed as one of the nation's top hoops prospects.
The Lady Tiger roster also includes five other players 5-10 or taller.
Only one JT player stands 6-0, freshman middle blocker Jesslan Carroll, who is questionable for the match with an ankle injury.
But what JT lacks in size the Lady Lions make up with in athleticism with capable hitters such as juniors Chelsea Black, Ajanay Domena, Shakendra Mumphrey and GabriElla Wilson, and sophomore Jennifer McGowan.
Senior Monecia Preston handles the setting, with seniors Alexandria Johnson and Kelvicia Warren concentrating on defense.
"We talked about how five percent is physical and 90 percent is being mentally-tough," JT head coach Stephanie March-Smith said. "It's not our physical ability, it's mental toughness -- that's our biggest dilemma. There wasn't a team in district I felt overpowered us."
The nine-member JT roster consists of three seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and Carroll.
Black, who also helps set, tasted the playoffs last year with the Lady Lions basketball team.
"As a team I'm proud we pulled together to make the playoffs," Black said. "We have a good chance if we play together and do what we're supposed to. We can't let a ball drop. Everybody has to know their area to the best of their ability and help each other out."
The Lady Lions enjoyed an 11-match non-district winning streak, and later captured six consecutive victories before hitting a speed bump during district. JT started 2-0 in district before it dropped five in-a-row prior to winning two of the last three to get in the playoffs.
The Lady Lions enter the playoffs fresh off a sweep of playoff qualifier Mesquite Horn. JT claimed 13 sweeps in non-district, but only one over the next nine contests prior to the Horn affair.
"We blocked well and they played like they should've been playing all year," added March-Smith, who credited discipline for getting JT back in the playoffs. "We have to continue to block, read and talk more on the court."
Part of JT's discussion and focus tonight figures to be on A&M's Erika Arthur (5-11 junior middle blocker) attacking, Kelsey Kinley (5-8 senior libero) on the digs, Baily Gillum (5-3 junior setter) on the passes, and Gilbert at the net.
A year ago the Lady Tigers trekked all the way to the Class 5A Region II semifinals under the guidance of head coach Cydryce McMillian. A&M Consolidated claimed 14 consecutive matches before losing a warm-up match last Friday against the third-ranked team in Class 4A, Lake Travis.
The winner of tonight's match advances to the area round to face either Garland or Richardson.
"Ideally we want to win," March-Smith said. "I feel we're capable. I still don't think one girl can get us. They have a couple athletic girls we have to contain. I really feel we'll be OK. They just have to play within our system and we have to talk."
DIRECTIONS TO FAIRFIELD HS: From Tyler, take Highway 155 South. In Palestine, take Highway 79 South to Highway 84 and continue on 84 toward Fairfield. In Fairfield, turn left on Post Oak Road/Ranch Road 1580, which takes you into the high school.
