- Palo Alto Middle School
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Roundup: District 12-6A Volleyball Marches Forward; Tennis Teams Qualify for Playoffs
Harker Heights might not have picked up the win Tuesday night, but the Lady Knights performance against visiting Copperas Cove provided further proof to head coach Crystal Bennett that her volleyball team in firmly on the right track.
“I know that we are a good team,” Bennett said after Harker Heights nearly forced a fifth and final set after dropping the first two games in an eventual 25-20, 26-24, 23-25, 25-22 setback against the Lady Bulldawgs in District 12-6A action.
Whether it was players such as Sanau Falaniko, Mileyana Hopkins, LaDaejah Edwards, Tiarra Harris, Nasya McGinnis and Chloe Jackson in the front row rotation, or Zariah Pena, Jessilix Acevedolebron, Aaliyah Dixon and ore diving around the back row, and Amaya Rich offering up the assists in more ways than one, the Lady Knights (3-1 district) did allow many easy points while also manufacturing plenty of offense.
Hopkins finished with five kills and seven blocks, Falaniko added nine kills and three blocks, McGinnis registered seven kills and three blocks, and Rich delivered 48 assists.
It was the first league loss for Harker Heights after its 3-0 start that put the Lady Knights is positive position during the first round of league play. Next up is a home match Friday against district leader Waco Midway.
“They have all bought in to what we are doing,” Bennett added. “I’m proud of them.”
More photos from teh Heights-Cove match can be viewed here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBJQXq
In other 12-6A volleyball Tuesday night, Shoemaker went the distance against visiting Bryan, which secured the victory 16-25, 27-25, 23-25, 25-22, 15-5.
Janeen Lashley-Hill recorded nine kills and 11 blocks, Kadence Taylor had 21 digs and Bre’elle Freeman supplied 19 assists for the Lady Grey Wolves, who next host Temple on Friday.
Temple enters that contest after defeating Killeen on Tuesday.
Tennis
The fall team tennis regular season is in its final weeks, and one Killeen ISD team wrapped up its playoff spot.
With its win over Chaparral on Tuesday, the Ellison Eagles clinched a postseason berth out of District 16-5A, along with Lake Belton, Belton and Waco. The Eagles' postseaosn appearaence with be the program's first in more than a decade.
In an all-KISD matchup in 12-6A on Tuesday, Harker Heights picked up a win over Shoemaker. Both The Knights and Grey Wolves have qualified for the playoffs.