Going 2-1 since Saturday, the Kennedale Lady Kats (14-3) continue to prove that they have what it takes to return to the state final four this season.
Once again playing up and on the road, the Kats defeated 6A Duncanville 3-2 and rolled over 5A Whitehouse 3-0 on Saturday in a three-team match. Tuesday evening, the Lady Kats traveled down Hwy 287 to take on highly regarded 6A Mansfield, losing 3-1. Duncanville’s record fell to 9-2, Whitehouse dropped to 2-6 and Mansfield improved to 6-1.
This wraps up a very successful early season campaign. Last year’s Kennedale team was also 14-3 through their first 17 games in route to a 12-0 district record and an overall record of 37-8.
Lady Kats vs Oak Cliff tonight 5:30 PM …
In another strange pairing, the Texas UIL re-alignment committee assigned Kennedale to a district dominated by charter schools. Composing the seven members of District 10/4A are 5 charter schools from the DFW area.
Kennedale joins Carrolton Ranchview, Dallas Harmony Nature & Athletics, Irving North Hills Prep, Dallas Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy, Arlington Summit International Prep, and Dallas Williams Prep. This is the same district alignment for both the KHS girls and boys basketball program for the next two years.
Kennedale starts district play by traveling to Dallas Oak Cliff Faith tonight for a 6:30 PM game. A JV game will play at 5:30 PM. Oak Cliff Faith Family is located at 300 W Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX. Season record unavailable.
Review of recent matches …
Kennedale vs Duncanville (W) 3-2
Kennedale lost the first set 25-23, smashed the second set 25-9, and took the third 25-18. Duncanville upended the Kats in the fourth 25-23 but couldn’t stop the Kats in the fifth and final set as the Kennedale won 15-12.
Top Kats include top 3 by category: Bryley Steinhilber (SR) 18 kills, 2 aces, 16 recpts, 1 block, 11 digs; Maddie Pyles (JR) 13 kills, 1 block, 14 digs, 1 ace; Katie Spells 12 kills; True Johnson (SO) 3 aces, 17 asst; Tatum Pavey (SR) 3 aces, 5 digs, 2 ass, 20 recpts; Gracyn Reed (JR) 34 asst; Taylor Poore (JR) 14 recpts; Amaya Constantino (JR) 14 recpts.
Kennedale vs Whitehouse (W) 3-0
Kennedale swept the Whitehouse Lady Cats in 3 sets, winning 26-24, 25-17 and 25-16.
Top Kats include top 3 by category: Bryley Steinhilber (SR) 1 blk, 21 kills, 15 recepts; Maddie Pyles (JR) 12 kills, 2 aces, 2 blks, 12 digs, 1 asst; Bridget Barton (JR) 7 kills; Gracyn Reed (JR) 1 ace, 32 asst; Alexandria Youngblood (SO) 1 ace, 2 blks; Taylor Poore (JR) 17 digs, 1 asst, 8 recpts; Tatum Pavey (SR) 17 digs, 1 asst, 12 recpts; True Johnson (SO) 17 asst.
Kennedale vs Mansfield (L) 3-1
Kennedale played well but just a step behind the play of the Tigers dropping the first 2 sets 25-21 and 25-23. The Kats took the third set 25-22 but lost the match in the 4th set 25-21.
Top Kats (top 3 by category): Maddie Pyles (JR) 14 kills, 6 digs; Bryley Steinhilber (SR) 13 kills, 4 aces, 2 blks, 19 recepts; Bridget Barton (JR) 9 kills; Tatum Pavey (SR) 1 ace, 17 digs, 27 recpts; Alexandria Youngblood (SO) 1 ace, 2 blks; Casey Guerry (JR) 1 blk; Gracyn Reed (JR) 8 digs, 28 asst; True Johnson (SO) 20 assts; Taylor Poore (JR) 1 asst; Katie Spell (SR) 12 recepts.
After tonight’s game, Kennedale will hit the road again on Tuesday to play non-district 5A Red Oak at 6:30 PM. Red Oak is currently 6-8.
