If you are an athlete any loss is hard to accept. If you are an athlete on the #7 state-ranked Kennedale Lady Kat volleyball team your second loss of the season is not so easy to take.
The Kats are enjoying one of their best starts in a decade, besting last year’s team who had an 11-3 record at this point in the schedule. That was the same team that made a final four appearance for the first time in school history.
A team to beat …
Last year, the even younger team of Lady Kats played almost the whole season as the underdog, especially so during the playoff. This year the team entered with a state reputation to defend but even with the second loss of the season, Kennedale remains a team to beat.
In the past two weeks, the Lady Kats have played only upper-division schools, playing and beating four 5A teams and playing four 6A teams – losing only one match.
Colts take Kats for a ride …
It was 6A Arlington High School on Tuesday of this week that branded the Kats with their second loss winning by 3-1. The Colts upset the Kats 25-20, 25-18, 24-26, 25-20.
Leading in kills for the Kats were Bryley Steinhilber (SR) with 18 and Maddie Pyles (JR) with 12 kills. Gracyn Reed (JR) had a team-high 24 assists. Four players had 10 or more digs: Tatum Pavey (SR) 17, Steinhilber (SR) 11, Amaya Constantino (JR) 11, True Johnson (SO) 10.
More challenges await …
Kennedale does face another big challenge when they travel this Saturday to take on Duncanville (6-2) currently ranked #20 in the TGCA state 6A poll. Also on the same day, the Kats will play 5A Whitehouse (2-3). Games times are 4:00 PM and 5:00 P.M at Duncanville High School.
And, it continues as the Lady Kats tackle 6A Mansfield High (4-1) next Tuesday again on the road at Mansfield with game time at 5:30 PM. Mansfield is currently #10 in area rankings by dfwVarsity.
