VOLLEYBALL: Lady Cavs defeat district opponent Kingwood 3-0

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - After falling to district opponent Summer Creek in four sets last week, the College Park Volleyball Team regrouped on Tuesday, September 29, and defeated Kingwood in three sets. Outside hitter Kennedi Smith was back in the game after being absent last week due to a knee injury, and the Lady Cavs were able to rally together to pull off a win.

In set one, the Lady Cavs were ready play, and although Kingwood had the first kill, College Park took the lead in no time. In fact, that would be the only time the Lady Mustangs had the lead in the first set. Smith and Allicia Bauersfeld both garnered great kills, as well as two aces for Smith, increasing College Park’s lead to 16-6. Kingwood was able to get a few more on the board after College Park hit one out and Lady Mustang Haley Hefner tipped the ball over onto College Park’s side of the net. That didn't slow the Lady Cavs down however, and after more kills from Smith and freshman Audrey Penn and some bobbles from Kingwood, the score was soon 23-15. A powerful kill from Smith gave College Park match point and a Bauersfeld kill won the set for the Lady Cavs, with a score of 25-16.

The Lady Cavs were on a roll in set two, and they went on to score the first six points of the match, forcing Kingwood to call a timeout. Once again, Smith had several kills, and Libero Savannah Rutledge did excellent work on defense, with an all-around defensive effort from the whole team. Bauersfeld blocked a Kingwood attempt and then tipped it back over the net, only increasing College Park’s lead, 14-4. Penn and Smith give College Park more kills, along with a great dig from CC Clausen. It was soon match point for the Lady Cavs, and Justice Rivera set up a great kill for Hannah Erwin, clenching the second set over Kingwood, 25-15.

For the third set, it was apparent that Kingwood wasn't going to go down without a fight. The Lady Mustangs stepped onto the court with a vengeance, as the third set was the closest set of the night. Like the previous sets, College Park took an early lead after a block from Linzy Woods and Smith, Kingwood errors, kills from Woods and Penn, as well as a Penn block, bringing the score to 9-5. However, the Lady Mustangs slowly moved their way up on the board after garnering a few kills in a row, including one from Rebekah Nemeth. Penn and Smith were both able to get more kills, but after College Park served into the net, as well as some miscommunication from the Lady Cavs, Kingwood was able to tie it up, 14-14. College Park was able to gain the lead for a short while, but once again the score was tied, 18-18. A great effort ensued from both teams, including more kills for Bauersfeld and Smith, as well as one from Hannah Erwin after a great set from Mackenzie Nunes. The Lady Cavs were up 23-20 until a tip over from Woods gave College Park match point. Woods also closed the set with a kill, taking the third 25-21, with the Lady Cavs defeating Kingwood 3-0.

Coming off of a loss from last week against Summer Creek, College Park Volleyball Head Coach Candice Collins was proud of her team’s win on Tuesday night.

“I am very excited with how we played tonight,” said Collins. “You know, I think everybody was disappointed with Friday and so it was good to come back in our gym and get a good win and do it in three against a good team. I felt like that was really important for our confidence. I thought we did well the first two sets. The third set I wish we would have stayed a little more focused throughout the match rather than, you know, kind of letting them in. I think it’s important once you win those first two to make sure that you stay on in the third, and don’t let them gain any confidence or any momentum against you.”

The Lady Cavs will play their next district match on Friday, October 2, against the Conroe Tigerettes at Conroe High School.