VOLLEYBALL: College Park sweeps Conroe 3-0, prepares for second ound of district matches

CONROE, Texas — The College Park Lady Cavaliers swept Conroe after three close sets 25-18, 25-23, 25-19.

While Head Coach Candice Collins said the team didn’t play as strongly as they could have and that the sets were closer than she liked, she said the team did well considering they had another player out sick.

“I think we just have to do a better job of being more mentally prepared, but in the end a win is a win, and I think we did good working with what we had tonight,” Collins said. “Again, we were running another lineup because we have somebody sick, and that’s just the way it goes.”

Kennedi Smith, senior outside hitter, was back on the court after a knee injury from the Lady Cavalier’s match against Oak Ridge and lead the team with four aces and 11 kills.

“It’s always nice to have Kennedi back, not only just for the energy that she brings, the digs, the kills and the ways she contributes to the team, but also because it just makes us more comfortable,” Collins said. “Whenever we’re whole we’re just more comfortable.”

College Park fought through several deficits with Conroe scoring up on them each set. Each time Conroe took the lead, the Lady Cavaliers would refocus and steal the win.

“We would be up by five points, and then we would allow them to come back five points,” Collins said. “The good thing is that they have confidence in each other. I think sometimes they take it too easy, but the good thing is that they have the confidence and the fight, and they just keep fighting through.”

College Park will play at Atascocita in their second round of district matches Tuesday, October 6, at 5:30 p.m. While the Lady Cavaliers beat Atascocita in their first round of district, Collins said it’s always harder when you go to the opponent’s house.

“By the time you get to the second round there’s a lot more experience,” Collins said. “A lot of adjustments have been made, so we just need to make sure that we’re taking care of ourselves.”