Lady Tigers, John Tyler to clash in first round

MARSHALL, Texas—Texas High begins its playoff journey today against John Tyler in the Class 5A bi-district volleyball round.

The Lady Tigers, the District 15-5A champions, are 24-11 entering the 7 p.m. contest at Marshall High School. The Lady Lions (23-13) finished fourth in 16-5A.

“John Tyler is very athletic, have some size, they run some quicks and we’re happy to make the playoffs out of that district,” Texas High coach Melissa Hardy said. “We need to play smart.”

Left-handed hitter Treyaunna Rush has been the catalyst for Texas High on the court this season, and she has a talented cast around her starting with fellow senior Kaitlyn Cross at middle blocker.

Olivia Lower is the lone junior for THS and plays all the way around, sophomore Ashlyn Stiger rotates in at middle, and Shakeria Webb and Cashlin Gooden, also sophomores, add hitting options outside.

Senior Katelyn Jordan and Rush split setting duties, Vicki Willis is the libero and Mia Wilson is another senior defensive specialist for the Tigers.

Freshmen Logan Pilgreen,

Ashanti Northcross, Valeria Perez, Lauren Allred and Ellison Davis were pulled up from the junior varsity for district and playoff matches.

Texas High went 9-1 in league play to claim its first district title since 2012. John Tyler was 8-6 in district.

“We’ve always talked about playing our best and putting our best foot forward (in the postseason),” Hardy said. “We have to be disciplined and focused. When you’re playing in the playoffs, to win, you’ve got to play smarter than your opponent.

“You may make some mistakes, but you’ve got to bounce back and play smarter. That’s going to be the key.”

The winner of tonight’s match advances to the area round later this week to face either Midlothian or Mesquite.