Four teams and only two will make take the next step ?
?In the 4A Volleyball State Championship Semifinals, Kennedale?s opponent is Lamar Fulshear. The 4A playoffs begin Thursday with the Kennedale and Fulshear playing at 7 p.m. The playoff game will be at the Curtis Culwell Center – 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd,Garland, TX 75040.
??{{more: continue …}}?Fulshear 43-4 and is the undefeated winner of District 24/4A with a 12-0 record. Fulshear is currently ranked #3 by MaxPreps.??Kennedale enters the semis with an overall record of 37-7 and as the undefeated champions of District 9/4A. Kennedale is currently ranked #13 in MaxPreps.?
Kennedale Lady Kats – Region II Champions and Final Four Qualifiers
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Playing opposite of the Kennedale/Fulshear match is #4 Hereford (33-13) vs #8 Carthage (41-4). They will play earlier on Thursday at 5 p.m. UIL FanInformation
?and Directions?In the 4A MaxPreps rankings the following teams have been eliminated during the state playoffs: #1 Argyle, #2 Decatur, #5 Krum, #6 Caldwell, #7 Celina, #9 La Vernia, #10 Bellville, #11 Stephenville and #12 Farmerville.?Kennedale eliminated Farmersville and Celina. Fulshear eliminated both La Vernia and Caldwell. Hereford eliminated Argyle.?Fulshear vs Kennedale ?
?Fulshear has been on a tear in the playoffs this year beating Giddings 3-0, Boerne 3-0, Belville 3-0, La Vernia 3-0 and Caldwell 3-0. In regular season play, Fulshear is one of the instant success stories. As a new high school and as a 3-year old program, Fulshear has reached the area playoffs in its first year, the region finals last year and the final four this year.?But, it is story similar to Kennedale?s. This group of Lady Kats have been part of rebuilding program. It saw the Kats finish in the area playoffs two years ago, in the region quarterfinals and now the final four.?Fulshear?s opponents have had stronger records than Kennedale?s opponents and that is a reason that MaxPreps has rated Fulshear one of the top teams in the state. However, Kennedale?s young squad has cut its teeth on playing 5A and 6A teams. They are used to the underdog role and have matured with the experience.?Kennedale’s team leadership and experience ??Kennedale players do have the very capable example and the leadership of senior Lillian Rychlik, who has been on the varsity team for four years and earned has all-district every year.?She is supported by a squad of players that have all made varsity as 9th graders. This includes juniors Tatum Pavey (All-District), Bryley Steinhibler (District MVP, Newcomer of the Year), and Katie Spell (Honorable Mention). Sophomores on the list are Gracyn Reed (Honorable Mention), Toby Poore, Maddie Pyles (District Newcomer of the Year), Bridget Barton (All District) and Casey Guerry.?Their efforts have been supported by sophomores Amaya Constantino, freshman Alex Youngblood and junior Angel Mahjoub who has been on the varsity team the past two years.?It can be said that the Lady Kats, with starters that are almost all underclassmen, are really a year ahead of schedule. Interestingly, that same thing has been said about Fulshear.?Kennedale 2019 State Final Four Roster …?Kennedale has announced the roster for the state playoffs this week.? It includes:?
#1 Amaya Constantino (SO)
#2 Lillian Rychlik (SR)
#3 Maddie Pyles (SO)
#4 Gracyn Reed (SO)
#5 Tatum Pavey (JR)
#6 Bridget Barton (SO)
#7 Bryley Steinhilber (JR)
#8 Angel Mahjoub (JR)
#9 Ella Childress (JR)
#10 Taylor Poore (SO)
#12 Katie Spell (JR)
#13 Blair Ingram-Everett (SR)
#14 Casey Guerry (SO)
#15 Alex Youngblood (FR)
#16 True Johnson (FR)
#17 Mikayla Earle (JR)?
Celina vs Kennedale II Region Finals ?
?Last week Kennedale captured their first region championship by beating Celina (30-12) 3-1. The Lady Kats won Set 1 by a score 25-21. The Bobcats tied up the match with a 25-21 win. The next two were Kennedale wins though close 25-23 and 27-25.?STATS: Kennedale stats by player (listed in order of player #)?
- #1 Amaya Constantino (SO) 9 digs, 1 asst
- #2 Lillian Rychlik (SR) 2 aces, 18 digs, 17 asst, 2 recpts
- #3 Maddie Pyles (SO) 19 kills, 1 aces, 4 blks, 8 digs, 14 recpts
- #4 Gracyn Reed (SO) 13 digs, 22 asst
- #5 Tatum Pavey (JR) 2 aces, 19 digs, 6 asst, 25 recpts
- #6 Bridget Barton (SO) 3 kills, 2 blks, 3 digs, 1 asst, 1 recpts
- #7 Bryley Steinhilber (JR) 13 kills, 1 blk, 11 digs, 32 recpts
- #10 Taylor Poore (SO) 9 digs #12 Katie Spell (JR) 9 kills, 9 digs, 11 recpts
- #12 Katie Spell (JR) 9 kills, 9 digs, 1 repts
- #14 Casey Guerry (SO) 5 kills, 1 blk, 1 dig, asst
- #22 Alex Youngblood (FR) 2 kills, 4 blks, 2 digs
Lady Kat Coaching Staff: Kelly Carl (Head Coach), Cassie Bryant (Asst Coach & JV Coach), Rachel Dixon (Asst Coach & Fr Coach). Carl is in her second year at Kennedale.
