Kennedale passes early playoff test with a five-set win over Melissa

Round 3 date and time to be determined … this article includes an update

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First round playoff games are often like warm-up games but second-round games can offer the real test of rather or not a team is playoff-worthy. On Monday in bi-district play, Kennedale (34-7) easily defeated Oak Cliff Faith Family in three straight sets 25-4, 25-3 and 25-8. {{more: continue …}}

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Heartstopper ?

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On Thursday evening in the Area Round of the 4A State Volleyball playoffs, the Lady Kats playoff creds were definitely challenged. Playing against Melissa (32-12) the Kats had to rally from a first set loss to win the second set and then again after a third set loss. Kennedale went on to win sets 4 and 5 to claim the title and advanced to the third round Regional Quarterfinals. The final tally was Lady Kats 3, Melissa 2.?

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KHS fans came out to support the Lady Kats in their area round victory over Melissa on Thursday (Photo KHS Volleyball)

The game played out with Melissa taking the first set 25-18 but the Kats warmed up enough to take the second 25-21. In the third Melissa came back to take the game lead with another 25-18 set win and to push the match into a fourth. Kennedale won that set to tie the match at 4-4 with a 25-16 win. It came down to the fifth and final set and one that Kennedale eked out a 16-14 win. (Matches don?t often go to a fifth set but when they do, it is considered a match at 15 points unless the difference is less than two points).

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Up next ?

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The Kennedale Lady Kats will face the winner of the Ranchview/Aubrey contest set for tonight (Friday).

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Ranchview had earlier defeated Castleberry 25-21, 25-10 and 24-14. Ranchview (25-12, 8-0) is the District 10/4A champion.

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Aubrey (28-17, 8-2) defeated Dallas Lincoln 25-20, 25-15 and 25-13) in the first round. Aubrey is out of the same highly competitive district as Melissa. Aubrey and Melissa split wins during the season. Aubrey also tagged the district champion Celina (28-11, 9-1) with their only district loss.

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Update – Ranchview defeated Aubrey and will play Kennedale in the 3rd round of the 4A state playoffs next week.?

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Player of the week …

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Kennedale?s Taylor Poore was voted DFW volleyball player of the week last (October 29-November 2, 2019). In the game against 5A Lake Dallas, she had a double-double with 11 kills, 12 digs, and 3 aces. She received 501 votes.

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District 9/4A Update:?

• Bi-district play ?

• Castleberry loss to Ranchview (25-21, 25-10, 24-14)
• Lake Worth defeated Summit International (25-16, 25-13, 25-9)
• Benbrook defeated North Hills Prep (25-12, 25-6, 25-8)
• Kennedale defeated Faith Family (25-4, 25-3, 25-8)

• Area play ?

• Lake Worth loss to Celina (25-16, 25-9, 25-16)
• Benbrook vs Sanger (TBA)
• Kennedale defeated Melissa (18-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-16, 16-14)

Lady Kat stat leaders ?Melissa vs Kennedale …?

• Kills – Maddie Pyles (SO) 19, Bryley Steinhilber (JR) 11, Katie Spell (JR) 8, Alexandria Youngblood (FR) 4, Bridget Barton (SO) 4, Tatum Pavey (JR) 1, Casey Guerry (SO) 1

• Aces ? Maddie Pyle (SO) 2, B Steinhilber (JR) and C Guerry (SO) 1 each

• Total Blocks ? Casey Guerry (SO) & Bridget Barton (SO) each with 3, A Youngblood (FR) & K Spell (JR) each with 1.

• Digs ? Tatum Pavey (JR) 30, M Pyles (SO) 13, Taylor Poore (SO) 12, Lillian Rychlik (SR) 8, Gracyn Reed (SO) & C Guerry (SO) 6 each, Amaya Constantino (SO) 3, B Barton (SO) 2, B Steinhilber (JR) 1

• Asst ? Lillian Rychlik (SR) 23, G Reed (SO) 20, T Pavey (JR) 2

• Ball Handling Attempts?(BHA) ? Lillian Rychlik (SR) 97, G Reed (SO) 57, T Pavey (JR) 16

• Serve Receptions ? Tatum Pavey (JR) 27, B Steinhilber (JR) 21, M Pyles (SO) 16, T Poore (SO) 15, A Constantino (SO), B Barton (SO) & A Youngblood (FR) 1 each.

See photo gallery @ Kennedale

vs Melissa?

LINK: UIL Volleyball 4A Region 2&4 Playoff Bracket?

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