It has been a good several days for the Kennedale Lady Kats Volleyball team (18-12) with key wins, a district championship and a top 25 ranking. {{more}}
It began Friday night in a highly anticipated return match with the Godley Lady Cats (26-10). This one was for pride, validation and a share of the title.
In the first match earlier in September, Godley beat Kennedale in 4 close sets with Kennedale losing by two in three sets and winning by two in the other. Playing and winning on their home court, Godley claimed sole possession of first place in District 7-4A.
In the rematch Friday, Kennedale had the home court advantage with an almost full home stand (thanks to the Kennedale Wildcat football team) and a team ready to play some volleyball.Kennedale took off and never looked back
?They play so good,? said KHS Girls Athletic Coordinator Patti Bostad, adding, ?That is the best I have seen them play.?
Godley got the lead first in the opening set but after a brief exchange of leads, Kennedale took off and never looked back, winning 25-18. The story repeated itself in the next set which Kennedale won 25-16. Every time Godley seemed to be starting a run, the Kats shut it down.
In the third set, it looked as if the adrenaline rush had taken its toll on Kennedale and for first time the Lady Kats seemed off their game a half step. Godley took full advantage by winning the set 25-21 in the closes set of the match. Down by 8 at one point, the Lady Kats did make a strong comeback in the later stages of the set but the lead was too much.
Kennedale regrouped for the 4th and final set, taking the game away from Godley again and winning 25-13, taking the match 3-1 and claiming a share of 1st place.
?They had the crowd, they knew what they needed to do and they did it?, said KHS Head Volleyball Jennifer Patterson, talking about the Lady Kats.
#23 in the new coaches poll
On Monday the new TGCA (Texas Girls Coaches Association) statewide poll for Class 4A had Kennedale breaking into the Top 25 at #23, a first for this season.
Tuesday night the Kennedale Lady Kat Volleyball team assured their place in the record book as Co-Champions of District 7-5A by sweeping Venus 25-2, 25-13, 25-22.
Kennedale now enters the playoffs ranked #23 with a 18-12 record and a boost of confidence with the win over #18 Godley.
Yesterday, the co-champions of District 7-4A flipped a coin to see which team would get the #1 seed and who would be the #2 seed. Kennedale lost the coin toss and will enter the playoffs as the #2 seed. KHS Head Coach Patterson is happy with the decision. Kennedale is still district co-champion with Godley and Patterson feels that the #2 is a more favorable slot in the playoffs brackets.
Bi-district playoffs next
The first level of the playoffs will be Bi-District. Kennedale is scheduled to play next Tuesday night, November 4 at Crowley High School beginning at 6 p.m. The opponent will be the winner of the Lake Worth/Castleberry playoff match being play this Thursday evening. The two teams are playing to see who will be third and fourth place in District 8-4A.Kennedale will play the fourth place team.
