Speed key for Lady Hawks versus Wills Point

LONGVIEW, Texas—Playoff time means crunch time.

Pleasant Grove (23-14) takes on Wills Point (29-12) in a Class 4A area round volleyball match today at Pine Tree High School. The match is set for 6 p.m.

“Wills Point blocks well fundamentally,” Lady Hawk head coach Amy Collvins said. “They run some of the same defense that we do and remind me a lot of Paris.”

Pleasant Grove is the champion from District 15-4A, and the Lady Tigers are the runners-up from District 14-4A.

The Lady Hawks are coming off a sweep of Henderson in the bi-district round, while Wills Point defeated Crandall in four sets.

“We need to keep the pace fast, which is our pace,” Collvins said. “We want to wear them down throughout the match and make their blockers move. They’re pretty strong with seniors, and overall our height is similar. We are going to play our game and see how it goes. We have been successful in what we have been doing and will keep adjusting as we need to.”

Starters for Pleasant Grove are outside hitter/defensive specialist Grace Pickelman, middle blocker Natalie Hale, outside hitter Madi Morris, outside hitter/defensive specialist Macey Adams, libero Sydney Hopkins and setter Macy Young.

Rotating in are setter Kaylee Kelley, outside hitter/setter Katie Ferguson, defensive specialist Ella Nichols and middle blocker Harleigh O’Neal.

“We’ve had some good practices and matches the past few weeks, and I am excited,” Collvins said. “This is what we have been working for all year so we are going to embrace the moment.”

The winner will play either Bullard or Community in the Class 4A regional quarterfinals next week.