Hughes Springs girls triumph over Paris Chisum

BOGATA, Texas—One thing was certain in the Hughes Springs-Paris Chisum volleyball match was that the Lady Mustangs would win—but which one.

Hughes Springs Lady Mustangs swept past the Paris Chisum Lady Mustangs in three straight games, 25-12, 25-20, 25-19, here Tuesday evening at Rivercrest High School’s Rebels Gym.

Hughes Springs, 26-9, now advances to the area round against New Diana later this week.

Despite a 12-26 record, Chisum fought hard and gave Hughes Springs a battle in the last two games.

“They are a real scrappy team, and I knew they would fight to the bitter end,” said HS coach Tisha Thompson.

“We gave an all-around good effort tonight, but this is usually the way,” Thompson added. “We like to spread the ball around, and we took advantage of our size at the net.”

Although the Mustangs easily won the

first game, Chisum actually led at one point, 8-6. But six straight points with Abbye McKinney serving put HS on top, 14-8, and later the Mustangs closed out the game with 12 straight points with Kensley Echols serving.

The second game was close at the beginning with HS only ahead, 9-7, before a 4-0 run for a 13-7 advantage.

Chisum battled back and eventually tied the game twice, 15-15, 17-17, before the Mustangs pulled away, scoring eight of the last 11 points.

Again, Hughes Springs had a hard time putting Chism away, despite holding a big early advantage in the third game.

After holding a slim 8-6 lead, the Mustangs then took control with six straight points with McKinney serving for a big, 14-6, advantage.

But again, Chisum showed its fighting spirit and battled back, drawing to within, 20-19.

The Mustangs regrouped and closed out the match with five straight points.

Echols paced the Mustangs with 19 service points, while McKinney had 17 and Braylee Taylor 13.

Zoe Lanier, Cypress Wright, Echols and several others had a big game at the net with several kills and well-placed shots.