Silsbee topples Lady Bobcats in 21-3A volleyball opener

[KFDM COOP]

Silsbee topples Lady Bobcats in 21-3A volleyball opener

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD — Don’t let the Silsbee Lady Tigers’ non-district volleyball record fool you, they’re still the team to beat in District 21-3A again this year.

After posting an 8-9 record in their non-district tuneups, with seven of their losses coming against Class 5A competition in tournaments around the Houston area, the Lady Tigers got back to their Class 3A “business†at Bobcat Gym Tuesday night.

The defending 21-3A champion Lady Tigers used booming serves and a powerful display by top hitter Brittany Henry as Silsbee cruised by an injury-riddled Orangefield squad 25-11, 25-12, 25-19 in the 21-3A opener for both teams.

The gritty Lady Bobcats (6-9, 0-1) put forth a tremendous effort against Silsbee, despite the Lady Tigers dominating the match.

Jessica Maas powered the Lady Bobcat attack with nine kills. Aimee Scales put together seven kills while Laura Riddick had six.

Orangefield was without the services of top setter Kaylin Little, who is nursing a bad ankle sprain that she suffered in the Buna Tournament last weekend.

“Aimee (Scales) really stepped up and had a tremendous match,†said Lady Bobcat head coach Linda Riddick. “She just continues to improve. Jessica (Maas) really had a ‘killer’ night at the net. I thought our kids gave a tremendous effort.â€

It’s still a “wait and see†situation with Little, who was also the Lady Bobcats’ top scorer during basketball season last year.

“It is a pretty tough sprain and we’re monitoring it closely,†Riddick said. “We really missed her tonight setting things up for us. I thought Kayla Moore and Jessica Weldon filled in nicely. We has people playing in different positions tonight against a Silsbee team that is very capable of winning the district again.â€

Henry blitzed her way to 13 kills to pace the Lady Tiger attack. Kalynn Drake posted six kills and Demetriss Rhone had five. Silsbee did most of its damage with its service game, posting 12 aces. Drake led the way with 14 service points. Caitlin Callicutt tallied nine points and a whopping five aces. Rhone finished with seven points and three aces while Henry also contributed two aces.

Allie Beach, Jessica Worthy and Olivia Wagner all racked up six service points apiece for the Lady Bobcats as Beach collected three aces and Worthy added two.

In Game One, the Lady Bobcats were right in the thick of things in a 7-7 game but the Lady Tigers went on a 14-2 spurt to pull away for the win.

The Lady Tigers tallied the first six points of Game Two. Orangefield got as close as 9-6 but the Lady Tigers used a 16-6 spurt to stroll to the win.

The Lady Bobcats started Game Three on fire, scoring the first five points as Beach put up all three of her aces in the spark. Silsbee continued to whittle away at the lead took command at 17-10. Behind a strong effort by Scales and Maas, the Lady Bobcats got as close as 17-15 before the Lady Tigers erupted with eight of the final 12 points.

“The kids are really excited about the start of district and all,†said Silsbee head coach Dana Thornton. “We had so many tough matches against big-time Houston schools to get us ready. We lost a lot of close matches in non-district, which frustrated the kids a little, but it certainly got us prepared for district play.â€

The Lady Bobcats return to action Thursday and Saturday at the YMBL Tournament in Beaumont. They return to 21-3A action Tuesday when they visit the Jasper Lady Bulldogs.

[bobcatfan33]

Orangefield did not play like they have before.  I know with KK out its going to be harder, but come on ladies pick it up!!!