New Boston into next round

MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas—New Boston was able to overcome a feisty Paris Chisum volleyball team in its playoff opener Tuesday.

The Lady Lions swept the Lady Mustangs, 25-19, 25-18, 25-18, at Willie Williams Gym to advance to the area round against either New Diana or Harmony, who play today in the bi-district round.

No matter what lead New Boston (317) built against Chisum, the Mustangs (17-20) found a way to rally against the District 14-3A champions.

The Lions gained the early momentum in the match, building a 6-0 lead, but Chisum gained its composure and scored 6 of the next 8 to cut its deficit to 8-6. The Mustangs knotted the score

at 9-all—the first of seven ties in the first.

Chisum held the lead at 18-16, but New Boston rattled off three in a row and 9 of 10 to take the first set.

The second set saw seven ties in the first 14 points: tied at each number through 7-7. Maggie Taylor’s 6-point serving barrage broke that trend, staking the Lions to a 13-7 lead.

Chisum took 7 of the next 8 points to knot the score again, this time at 14 at the end of a 5-point rally. New Boston scored 5 of 7 to go ahead 19-16, and after trading sideouts, Haley McAlexander’s 4-point service streak, including a pair of aces, gave NB set-point.

Tamiya Smith’s kill made it 2-0 Lions.

New Boston gained leads of 6-3, 10-6 and 11-7 in the third set, but Chisum rallied to cut its deficit to a point at 13-12. From there, Carlee Ratcliff went to the line, and the Lions scored five in a row for an 18-12 advantage.

The Mustangs answered with a 4-point run to make it 18-16. New Boston allowed just two more points, sealing the win by scoring 7 of the final 9 points.

Morgan McAlexander swatted 12 kills for the Lions, and Lauren Hurst and Smith had five kills apiece. Grace Duffer had 20 assists, Carlee Ratcliff added 21 digs, and Duffer and Ratcliff each served 10 winners. Haley McAlexander led at the service line with 12 points.