Area Champs on to Quarterfinals

The Wimberley High School Lady Texan volleyball team advanced to the third round of the UIL playoffs defeating the Young Womens’ Leadership Academy last Tuesday then following up against Needville Friday night.

“Whatever energy issues we had against Johnson City the week before were left behind,” insisted Coach Stephanie Barthels, ”and they came out on fire with a renewed intensity and focus.”

Barthels indicated the Lady Texans had very little information on the YWLA Lady Cardinal team, so they had to play to their own strengths.

“We talked about doing what we do best. Play our game. Communicate. Starve the distractions and feed the focus,” said Barthels. “They took the court and played lights out and finished it in three sets.”

The Lady Texans won 25-17, 25-13 and 25-16.

The statistics fail to tell the full story of the Lady Texans in this match.

“Kinslee Brown was a hot hitter for us Tuesday and really wanted the ball,” Barthels said. “We talk in practice about finding your hot hitters so to get her the ball in the middle, you have to be passing well.” She continued, “Carson Peoples was really doing that - moving the ball around for us. Not to mention the service runs she went on including seven straight points to close out a set, which was clutch. That’s a huge accomplishment for a 14-year old playing varsity ball.”

Laney Hennessee attacked viciously with eleven kills and Peoples served up four aces. Jesse Weeks handed out twenty assists. The threesome of Brown, Cortlyn Davis, and Mariah McCoy swarmed the net defensively providing two blocks each. Maddy Harris led digs with an even dozen with Rhagen Masur and Peoples adding nine apiece.

Needville’s Bluejays met Barthels’ team in Cuero Friday night. Again, the Lady Texans entered the matchup with energy and purpose.

“I don’t know if it was because the girls wanted to get back in time for the Senior Walk (following the home football game,) or if they were seeking revenge for last year, but they came in hitting hard and were determined to walk out in three,” Barthels said.

The Lady Texans scored their second straight three set win of the week, defeating Needville 25-17, 25-13, and 25-9.

Barthels credited the Lady Texan fans for their tenacity.

“We might have had 30 fans to Needville’s 150 but I couldn’t tell the difference. The cheerleaders, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and whoever else they brought were so loud. It was awesome. Our girls fed off of it and shut them down.”

Kenslee Brown blocked four and Maddy Harris dug out fifteen shots. Harris also served up four aces to pace the Lady Texans. Jesse Weeks again created opportunities for the team, setting twenty-four assists while Laney Hennessee provided the firepower with eighteen kills.

“We just got things going our way Friday night. The momentum they carried into each set was phenomenal,” observed Barthels.

The second set effort by the team is to be admired. Down 10-3, the Lady Texans went on a 22-3 scoring deluge to win 25-13.

“Mariah McCoy had some amazing swings for us. Emily Thames played really strong to set an example for some of our younger players. This time Jesse Weeks got on a service roll and Rhagen Masur communicated with the team loudly. The Cuero gym is a big cavern, so to be heard in that place takes effort. Rhagen worked on that all week and did a great job.”

At the time of press, the ladies are scheduled to play the fifth ranked Bellville Brahmas (3610 overall, 12-0 district) in Yoakum at 6:30 p.m. Should they advance, the team will play Friday, Nov. 11, 2 p.m., in the Littleton Gym at the Blossom Athletic Center, San Antonio.