Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Start Strong: Lady Eagles turn some heads in advancing to Duncanville quarterfinals
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
Though it happens during the first weekend of the season, the Duncanville Tournament of Champions is frequently an accurate means to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
If that trend holds up, Allen volleyball is primed to be a player in 2012.
The Lady Eagles went 4-2 during the two-day event with both losses during the team's run to the quarterfinals coming against defending Class 5A State Champion Coppell.
Allen split its opening pool matches Friday, sweeping Atascosita and being swept by Coppell. The Lady Eagles rebounded from their first loss by defeating Amarillo (25-16, 23-25, 25-16), which is just a couple seasons removed from winning its fourth straight Class 5A State Title.
"I was concerned following the Coppell match, but we bounced back really well," Gregoriew said. "We didn't mention the importance of the Amarillo match ahead of time, but obviously it was big to beat such a storied program."
Another win, this one over Richardson Pearce (25-22, 25-23) to close pool play put Allen in the championship bracket. Play there resumed Saturday and the Lady Eagles advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Ursuline (26-24, 25-13).
"That was a really good team we beat," Gregoriew said. "We got some good serves, played good defense, picked up key blocks and built on that."
The contributions came across the board, not just in that match, but for the weekend.
Junior hitters Camryn Freiberg, who was named all-tournament, and Hannah Fry piled up the points while sophomores Sheridan Ralston, Sydney Joseph and freshman Chandler Atwood filled out the front line as well with a plethora of blocks. Taking care of the back row were senior defensive specialists Kate Klepetka and Kim Bell.
Then there is Kaitlyn Blake, the 6-foot-2 sophomore who should return soon after breaking her ankle during club season.
"It really can be hard to single out players because we have so many girls who contribute," Gregoriew said.
That group got another shot at Coppell in the quarterfinals and made things more competitive. The Cowgirls, who went on to lose to Southlake Carroll in the tournament finals, picked up dual 25-12 set wins, but that was sandwiched around a 27-25 Allen victory in Game 2. The Lady Eagles took a 7-2 lead in that set and were able to hold on.
"I think the girls were excited about getting another shot at Coppell," Gregoriew said. "Obviously that is a really good team, but we were able to jump on them early in Game 2 with some aces and key kills, and then did a better job tracking the ball. We also kept [Coppell middle Chiaka Ogbogu] from hurting us too much."
Allen's second loss to Coppell wrapped up its run in Duncanville.
"Obviously the girls were disappointed to lose," Gregoriew said. "But it's the small victories you have to focus on; we were able to take a set off Coppell and played them a lot better that second time."
Allen hosts Texas Open
A third match with Coppell may not be far off as the Cowgirls and Lady Eagles are both part of the Texas Open, which is Friday and Saturday at Allen, the Lowery Freshman Center and Ereckson Middle School.
"We're definitely excited to host a tournament," Gregoriew said, "and it seems like the level of the field in our tournament gets raised every year."
The numbers back that up.
All semifinalists from Duncanville (Southlake Carroll, Coppell, Colleyville Heritage and Lovejoy) will be in the 32-field. Add in McKinney Boyd and that is five of the top six team's in LoneStarVolleyball.com's top 20.
"Over the years, Allen has evolved into one of the state's premier and most popular tournaments," said Scott White, LoneStarVolleyball.com editor. "Not only does it attract the very best teams from North Texas, which has had most of the state's elite teams the past five years, but you also get legendary programs like Amarillo making the trip. And this year you have Lake Travis in the field. This team was ranked No. 1 in the nation last year and set a state record by going 50-0.
"Over the past few years it has not been uncommon to see two or three teams at the Allen tournament make it to the state tournament and, in many cases, win state."
Allen opens play in its main gym at 9 a.m. Friday against DeSoto.
"Whether you are a fan of us or if you just love the game, come out to the tournament because there is going to be some incredible ball played," Gregoriew said.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
