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VOLLEYBALL: TWHS Volleyball takes Nike Classic in comeback fashion

By: Doug Sarant
| Published 08/16/2015

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas - After losing their opening match at the Katy/Cy Fair Nike Volleyball Classic on Thursday to Cy Lakes playing less than inspired volleyball, The Woodlands Lady Highlanders (8-1) came storming back to win seven straight matches culminating in a resounding defeat of a very good and ranked Cy Fair team, 21-25, 25-9, 26-24, 25-23 to take home the big prize.

Coming into the season, there were those who thought The Woodlands preseason TGCA (Texas Girls Coaches Association) #1 Texas state ranking was a bit generous perhaps living off the past two 5A and 6A state championships. Of those alleged know-it-all prognosticators, some were thinking a top twenty ranking would have been more realistic.

Well, after the 2015 version of Lady Highlander Volleyball came all the way back to prove they can chew up and spit out adversity after sleeping through their first game, these prognosticators are more than welcome to eat a healthy dose of crow. The Woodlands may not be paved with superstars top to bottom, but they are paved with 11 athletes who learned during this tournament to play until the whistle blows.

First year TWHS coach, Terri Wade described her team's play at the tournament...

"The first day without Hannah started off a little rough. We lost our first game to a team we should have beaten. We entered the tournament still playing unsure of each other and second guessing ourselves. Then we took away a big part of our offense with Hannah being out. We were playing two out of three and lost in three to Cy Lakes, but it was a big upset. It was a good learning moment, though. They didn't want to play like that again and immediately started communicating better. We won the next two matches in two games which put us in first in our pool. On day two, with Hannah back, she added offense to the team chemistry we were beginning to build. We played good competition that helped us get better each game. Mia Primavera really started playing amazing defense and the rest of the team followed. Day three was a collective effort. It would be hard to say who stood out because we played so well together as a team. It just took that one loss to turn on the switch and start playing together. We looked good and I'm excited to work on a few things in practice that will make us even stronger."

After the Cy Lakes debacle, the Woodlands defeated MaCarthur, 25-11, 25-11. Klein, 25-18, 25-20. Klein Collins, 25-22, 19-25, 28-26. Jersey Village, 25-19, 25-13. Cy Ranch, 25-23, 25-18. The semi's were best of five sets: Cinco Ranch, 25-18, 14-25, 25-22, 25-22 and the final against Cy-Fair, 21-25, 25-9, 26-24, 25-23.

The tournament victory was huge for this young team but when you win a tournament, you're going to have your share of individuals who are awarded. Hannah Hickman earned Tournament MVP. Hailey Reier made All Tournament and Mia Primavera made Most Valuable Libero. People who actually know volleyball will tell you that a team will be as good as their libero. Mia is the latest in a long line of excellent Lady Highlander liberos. You fit in quite well, Mia.

The Woodlands next plays at home against Katy Seven Lakes on Tuesday, August 18 at 6pm.

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