Lady Leopards capture Hooks tournament crown

HOOKS, Texas—LibertyEylau rebounded from a poor outing against Sulphur Springs in a non-district game Friday with three straight wins to capture the championship in the Gold Division of the Been There, Dug That Hooks Classic on Saturday at Hornets Gym.

The Lady Leopards (18-3) won the title by defeating Rivercrest, 25-14, 25-22.

L-E advanced to the championship game by defeating Linden-Kildare and Pittsburg earlier Saturday, while Rivercrest advanced with victories over Hooks and Atlanta.

Atlanta won the third-place contest, defeating Pittsburg, 25-27, 25-22, 25-11.

“We did a lot better today. It was an all-around great team effort,” said L-E coach Kaylee Dalby.

In the first game, the lead went back and forth until it was tied at 8-8.

The Lady Leopards then went on a 10-1 run to take a commanding lead, 18-9.

L-E scored four straight points with Daycoria Meadows serving, and added five more with Mariah Coleman at the service line. L-E maintained its big lead to win the game, 25-14.

The second game featured several multi-point runs. After tied at 4-4, L-E went on top, 7-4, before Rivercrest reeled off seven straight points with Marta Ward serving to take the lead, 11-7.

L-E evened the game at 11-11, before RC again pulled ahead, 18-13, and it appeared the match might go to a third game.

But the Leopards bounced right back, scoring four in a row to pull within one point, 18-17, and soon tied the game at 20-20.

After a Rivercrest time-out, L-E took the lead, 21-20, before RC tied it, 21-21.

Kills by Keeley Norris and Tamara Norris gave L-E a 23-21 advantage. A short time later, Kayla Norris ended the game to win the title with a smash off a defenders’ fingertips.

Dalby credited the senior Coleman for the victory.

“She is always focused and is there when we need her.”

The Lady Leopards will be in action today at Texas High.