Hawks take on tall order in Rusk
LONGVIEW, Texas—Pleasant Grove looks to add to its fivegame win streak today.
The Lady Hawks (27-12) face off against Rusk (31-8) at Longview High School’s Lobo Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. in a Class 4A, Region II regional quarterfinal playoff volleyball match.
Pleasant Grove is coming off a 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 15-13 win over Bullard in the area round. The Lady Eagles swept North Lamar, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22.
“Rusk is very tall, and their front line is one of the taller ones that we have seen,” Hawk head coach Amy Collvins said. “We are going to have to play smart as hitters and look to get around those. They are solid at blocking.”
Senior Madeline Haak starts at middle blocker/defensive specialist, senior Britton Anderson is outside hitter/ defensive specialist, and senior Reagan Franks starts at right side hitter. Kaylee Kelley, a junior, will start at setter, and junior Macey Adams starts at outside hitter/defensive specialist. Junior Natalie Hale is the middle blocker, and fellow junior Sydney Hopkins is the libero.
Rotating in are junior right side hitter Madi Morris, senior setter Allison Michaelis, junior Grace Pickelman, a defensive specialist. Georgia Cobb, a sophomore, comes in at right side hitter, while freshmen Katie Ferguson and Macy Young rotate in at outside hitter/setter and setter, respectively.
Defensive specialist Hanna Snyder, who is ruled out for the match, continues to support Pleasant Grove on the sideline. Snyder played most of the regular season for the Hawks.
“We have been improving and focusing on serves,” Collvins said. “Match to match, we have been getting better, and we are executing well. In the last couple of practices, the girls have done well with serve receive. It comes down to who can keep their emotions in check and keep plugging away.”
Winner will play either Argyle or Decatur in the regional semifinals later this week.