Volleyball Playoffs Recap

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

EAST TEXAS – The 2019 UIL Volleyball Playoffs began on Monday, Nov. 4 and featured a combined seven teams from Anderson and Houston Counties. Unfortunately, after the Bi-District Round only three remain.

Starting at the Class 1A level, the defending Class 1A State Champion Neches Lady Tigers had a first-round bye and advanced to the Area Round where they took on the High Island Lady Cardinals on Thursday, Nov.7.

The Lady Tigers took care of business against the Lady Cardinals in three sets, 25-5, 25-9 and 25-6, to advance to the Regional Quarterfinals where they will play the winner Oakwood vs. Chester match.   

The Kennard Lady Tigers also qualified for the postseason where they took on the Burkeville Lady Mustangs. While the Lady Mustangs put up a good fight, the Lady Tigers won the match in four sets, 25-13, 25-22, 22-25, 25-8, to advance to the Area Round of the playoffs.    

At the Class 2A level, the Grapeland Sandiettes faced the Centerville Lady Tigers in the Bi-District Round of the playoffs on Tuesday, Nov. 5. While Grapeland showed several flashes of brilliance late in the match, the Sandiettes lost the first two sets of the match and could not dig themselves out of the hole as the Lady Tigers won in four sets 25-11, 25-21, 18-25, 25-23.

Prior to the Sandiettes’ match in Fairfield, the Cayuga Lady Cats took on the Normangee Lady Panthers in a thrilling four set match. The Lady Cats dropped the first set, but came storming back to win the match 21-25, 26-24, 25-22 and 25-16.

The win moved Cayuga into the Area Round where they took on Deweyville Lady Pirates in a match-up of top 25 teams. The Lady Cats won in straight sets 25-22, 25-20 and 25-16 to advance to the Regional Quarterfinals where they will face the #3 ranked Iola Lady Bulldogs. The date and time are yet to be determined. 

Moving to the 3A level, the Elkhart Elks squared off against the Troy Lady Trojans in the postseason’s first round. The Lady Elks won the first set, but the Lady Trojans were simply too strong as Elkhart fell in four 23-25, 25-12, 25-7 and 25-13.

The Westwood Lady Panthers also fell in the Bi-District Round as they fell in straight sets to the Lexington Lady Eagles 13-25, 16-25 and 23-25.

At the Class 4A level, the Palestine Lady Cats fell to the Carthage Lady Bulldogs in straight sets 25-12, 25-18, 25-10 to Carthage Lady Bulldogs.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].