Lady Tiger Volleyball journey to State
After a two-year hiatus from the state tourney, the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers earned the right to make the trip to Garland once again with a resounding victory over Boerne Champion in the regional finals. The last time they were there they came back with the big trophy and that will be their goal again. They will be taking a deceiving 35-15 record and a 21-win streak with them. The opponent will be familiar to DS volleyball history. It will be Lucas Lovejoy, the team they have played in the last two state finals. The game is slated for tomorrow.
Volleyball for the Lady Tigers continues to hold a ghost of district past as their path to the state tourney went through last years district schedule where they were undefeated for two years. This had to be a big confidence booster knowing you were playing familiar teams you had beaten at all levels the past two years. UIL realignment put many in other districts but the skills remained. The Lady Tigers opened with Kerrville, then Medina Valley (who defeated Alamo Heights), then Seguin. After a small respite with Gregory-Portland in the regional semis, the Lady Tigers met Boerne Champion in the regional finals. Region IV has always been considered the best path to state in many sports and it looks like the toughest battles is to get out of a couple of districts. It also means that records don't always matter. The better teams hunt the best opposition and do not worry about the possible losses because their goals are beyond won-loss records. Case in point. Gregory-Portland went in with a 36-7 record and Flour Bluff, the team Boerne Champion defeated was 35-5.
Vs Seguin (25-23, 25-10, 26-24): Kills (40): Mackenzie Murray 11, Avery Kalsu 9, Sarah Nading 6, Alexis Haydt 5, Madi Certain 5, Dani Lebovitz 4. Aces
(5): Madi Berkholz 3, Rachel Driggs, Nading. Blks (4): Certain 2, Kalsu, Lebovitz. Digs
(65): Molly Driggs 15, Nicole Herbert 12, Berkholz 11, Kalsu 10, Nading 8, Murray 4, Certain 3, Haydt, Kayleigh Dodson. Assists (39): Kalsu 21, Nading
18. Service receptions (41): M. Driggs 19, Herbert 8, Kalsu 6, Berkholz 3, Certain 3, Murray 2.
Vs Gregory-Portland (25-23, 25-16, 25-19): K (37): Certain 9, Murray 8, Haydt 7, Nading 6, Kalsu 5, Lebovitz 2. A (9): Kalsu 4, Berkholz 3, Brynne Potter, Dodson. Blk (6): Lebovitz 2, Nading 2, Haydt, Kalsu. D (60): Kalsu 17, Herbert 12, Berkholz 11, M. Driggs 6, nading 5, Lebovitz 2, Murray 2, Certain 2, Potter, R. Driggs, Haydt. Asst
(37): Kalsu 25, Nading 12. SR
(50): Berkholz 17, Herbert 16, M. Driggs 7, Kalsu 5, Certain 4, Potter.
Vs Boerne Champion (27-29, 25-18, 25-13, 25-20): No stats available at press time.