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VOLLEYBALL: Lady Cavs win match against Klein Collins, advance to next round of playoffs

By: WOL Sports Staff
| Published 11/03/2015

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas - On Tuesday evening, November 3, the College Park Lady Cavaliers took on Klein Collins at home in the first round of playoffs in the 2015 UIL State Volleyball Championships. The Lady Cavs went on to defeat the Lady Tigers in three sets: 25-23, 25-15, 25-20.

Starting from the first set, both teams had standout crowds, making the whole match loud, exciting and full of energy and intensity. The closest set of the three, College Park and Klein Collins were neck and neck throughout. The set started off with the Lady Cavs getting the first three points, later followed by a great block by junior Linzy Woods, giving College Park a 4-3 lead. Although both teams alternated with the lead, the set would remain within three points until College Park started to inch their way up toward the end of the set. After an ace from sophomore Lauren Freeman, kills from seniors Hannah Erwin and Kennedi Smith, and a College Park block, the Lady Cavs took the lead over the Lady Tigers, 18-14. Klein Collins wasn't ready to give up yet, however, and started to creep up on College Park. But after the Lady Tigers got called on a lift, it was match point for the Lady Cavs, 24-23. The College Park defense was on fire, as a block on a Lady Tiger attempt gave the Lady Cavs a close first set win, 25-23.

Set two came easy for College Park, and although it remained close in the beginning, the Lady Cavs soon pulled ahead after Klein Collins made some errors, and the home team continued to garner kills. Erwin and freshman Audrey Penn had multiple kills in the second set. Libero Savannah Rutledge was a force to be reckoned with and gave her team plenty of opportunities for some great offensive plays. The Lady Cavs soon had a 10-point lead, 17-7. After more kills from Penn and Erwin, it was match point for College Park. Angela Owusu, a junior varsity College Park player that got moved up to varsity for playoffs, had the kill that would win the set for the Lady Cavs, 25-15.

The Lady Tigers came out with a vengeance in set three, refusing to go down without a fight. Klein Collins’ #16 had a strong presence the entire match garnering kill after kill, but really stood out for the Lady Tigers in set three, helping them get a 6-5 lead over College Park. Owusu once again proved she belonged on the team after a kill, followed by an Erwin kill and a Kennedy ace, giving College Park the first lead of the set. Klein Collins tied it up, 11-11, but the Lady Cavs once again pulled ahead after an all-around effort from every team member. College Park was up 23-18, and after an Erwin kill, it was once again match point for the Lady Cavs. Smith concluded the match with a kill, and the Lady Cavs took the set 25-20, giving College Park the win over Klein Collins in three sets.

“I thought we played awesome,” said College Park head coach Candice Collins. “You know, we came in here focused and ready. We knew that Klein Collins was going to be really good, we knew it was going to be loud, we knew it was going to be exciting, but our main focus was just making sure we took care of business on our side of the net, and I thought we did an outstanding job of that tonight. I thought everybody played so good. Hannah played outstanding, Kennedi played well, Audrey Penn played well, we brought up Angela Owusu, and I thought she really stepped up and played tonight and played well. Justice Rivera I thought had some really key serving. Just as a whole I thought that we did exactly what I asked them to do tonight.”

The Lady Cavs advance to the next round of playoffs, and will play Westlake on Nov. 5, 6 or 7. Although there are some strategies to discuss, for Collins, she knows that teamwork is the most important trait the team can have during the playoffs.

“We will break down some film and we will talk about some of the things that they do and the ways we can beat them. Mostly, just taking care of our business. Making sure that we are transitioning, that we’re strong on serve receive, that we’re blocking well. I think that is just the main part with the team that we have right now is just making sure that we stay together,” explained Collins.

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