The Woodlands coach Leslie Madison didn’t expect a walkover from Klein Collins on Tuesday night in a bi-district volleyball playoff match. The District 13-5A third-place representative didn’t give her one, either.
The Lady Highlanders did come away with a 3-0 sweep of the hosting Lady Tigers to improve to 37-6 on the season. But it wasn’t easy. Klein Collins made its visitor earn it. The Woodlands took the first two games relatively comfortably, 25-15 and 25-16 before battling to a 25-23 victory and a completion of the sweep.
“I’m actually pleased that that’s who we faced in the first round because I think that will help us for the second round,” Madison said. “That was a good team. They did a good job.”
The Lady Highlanders struggled in the third game but kept their composure. “It was like I told them, ‘the match isn’t over after two. Wish we played two-out-of-three but we don’t. So just finish,’” Madison said.
“But especially when it got tight there I thought we did a good job of keeping our cool and finishing the match.”
Stacey DiFrancesco led the way at the net with 14 kills. Kelsey Graves had nine digs while Lauren Conrad and Sarah Sanchez added eight each. Kate Martin set up the Lady Highlanders offense with 20 assists.
The Woodlands, ranked No. 20 in the state, advances to the area round of the playoffs later this week to face No. 16 and District 15-5A champions Cy-Woods at a time and location to be determined.
“We don’t have an easy round,” Madison said of her upcoming opponent.
