VOLLEYBALL: Lady Highlanders display great teamwork in district win against Atascocita

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Woodlands High School volleyball team had a district match on Friday night at home against Atascocita. After defeating the Lady Eagles earlier this season in three sets, the Lady Highlanders did it again in their home gym, taking the match over Atascocita 3-0: 25-14, 25-14, 25-19.

In the first set, the Lady Highlanders came out strong, getting the first three points of the match after an Atascocita net violation and kills from Anabella Pinton and Grey Kennedy. The Woodlands looked strong throughout the set and only continued to increase their lead over the Lady Eagles. Hannah Hickman blocked an attempt, and had a kill the very next play, giving TWHS a 7-1 lead. The Lady Highlanders soon garnered more kills from AJ Koele, Hailey Reier, Hickman, and Pinton, all assisted by sophomore Sophie Walls. Atascocita started to make some plays and after a kill from Atascocita’s Kiersten Sniscak, TWHS remained in the lead with a score of 20-12. There was no stopping the Lady Highlanders, and after a kill from Reier with an assist from Walls and then an ace from Walls, TWHS soon had match point and a kill from Ally Haden gave the Lady Highlanders the first set win over Atascocita, 25-14.

Set two looked very similar from the first, and although the Lady Eagles got the first two points on the board, TWHS quickly got in sync and they were soon up 8-3 after kills from Pinton, Kennedy and Hickman. Although the Lady Highlanders got called on a few errors and net violations, they kept up their intensity and continued to increase their lead over Atascocita. Once again, Pinton and Hickman both garnered kills, and after a dig from Mia Primavera, Walls sets up another great kill for Pinton, making the score 19-9. Janay Wooten of Atascocita came back with a kill, making a last minute effort to catch up. The Woodlands couldn't be stopped however, and after a Reier kill it was match point for the Lady Highlanders. Colby Quinn had a forceful kill, assisted by Walls, giving The Woodlands the win for the second set, 25-14.

In the third set, Atascocita was rearing to go, while the Lady Highlanders seemed less energetic compared to the previous sets. Hickman got two points on the board for The Woodlands after a block and a kill, but the Lady Eagles quickly come back and went on to score the next five points, taking a 7-4 lead. The Woodlands was able to tie it up, 7-7, but it isn't until mid-set the Lady Highlanders started to make a comeback, and after Atascocita hit the ball out of bounds twice in a row, TWHS took back the lead, and once again, Hickman had a block and two kills, bringing the score to 14-10. Atascocita played very well defensively in the third, but Hickman, Koele and Quinn all had great kills, giving The Woodlands a 20-15 lead. Atascocita also garnered two more kills from Shannon Faulkner and Sniscak. Ultimately The Woodlands prevailed and won the third, 25-19.

After another district win for the Lady Highlanders, head coach Terri Wade was satisfied with the outcome of the match.

"Overall I think we just wanted to come in the match and be consistent and full of energy, although the energy was lacking a little bit, they remained focused throughout the match and really worked on our goals, trying to get better at serve receive. So I think we did really well passing so we had more offense tonight. Overall, I felt good about the match leading into next week," said Wade.

On Tuesday, October 13, the Lady Highlanders will play the College Park Lady Cavaliers at home. The Lady Cavs defeated The Woodlands in four sets earlier this season, but Wade was sure to note that the team has had specific goals in order to prepare for the crosstown rivalry match.

“We expect them to have an amazing outside hitter that brings a lot of offense for the other team so we’re just going to make sure that we have out massing game on," said Wade. "We didn't create a lot of offense last time we played them so we have to step up offensively and pass the ball, and expect their outside to get every ball.”

Tuesday's game will be broadcast live on Woodlands Online, presented by Priority ER.