The Lady Rebels did not give visiting Abilene High a chance to rally, closing out each set with a strong run during a non-district match at Rebel Gymnasium.
Senior middle blocker Sarah Philley had 10 kills and 4.5 blocks to propel LHS to a 25-14, 25-12, 25-20 sweep over the Lady Eagles, its former district rivals.
The Lady Rebels (16-12) closed out the first set on a 16-7 run, the second set on a 12-3 run and strung together four straight points to end the third in what was the most competitive set.
“We worked really hard on trying to keep the momentum and in this game, they proved they could do that,” LHS head coach Rachel Anglin said. “I’m certainly happy for them.”
Added senior setter Devyn Bryant: “We’ve been working on that and I’m so happy that we were able to close it in three. Everybody was telling me today, ‘are you going to win in three?’ I was like, ‘yes, we are.’”
Philley had a dominant performance again around the net, putting the ball down with ease on sets from both Bryant and Caitlin Beckham.
Abilene (6-18) made the third set interesting, pulling within 21-20 behind a stretch of good plays from sophomore opposite hitter/middle blocker Gracie Jordan.
However, Philley ended the Lady Eagles’ momentum with a kill for the 22nd point and teamed up with Taylor Martinez for a block for the 23rd point.
LHS sophomore outside hitter Jerzy Schafer followed with two consecutive kills to end the match.
“Sarah Philley has really come along and she’s been the go-to,” Anglin said. “She’s the one people are looking at – what are we going to do, Sarah? What do you want us to do? And she’s done a phenomenal job of trying to be that be that person for us and in this match, she was definitely the person the other team was trying to stop.”
Added Bryant about Philley: ‘It’s amazing because she’s my best friend and I trust her so much. She’s like, ‘set me the ball, give me the ball.’ I’m like, ‘yes, ma’am. I will give you the ball. Put it down.’
Beckham had 15 assists to lead LHS, followed by 13 from Bryant.
Both Lady Rebels’ veteran defensive specialists shined, as senior Marisa Calzada led with 18 digs, while Kyndall Torres contributed with 13.
Peyton Thompson had seven kills and Martinez added six kills for the Lady Rebels, who Hereford at 5 p.m. Friday.
The Lady Rebels, who are the reigning back-to-back District 2-6A champions, have already surpassed last year’s loss total of 12 defeats, but Anglin believes the team is headed in the right direction. The tough pre-district schedule is by design to prepare LHS for district, which begins with a home match against Odessa High on Sept. 22.
“We’ve had a very tough (pre-district) schedule,” Anglin said. “When you play Colleyville Heritage and they’re the 5A state champs from last year, you just look to get better in every set. We’re really trying to work as a team and really work on putting the ball away and today they did that.”
LEGACY DEF. ABILENE HIGH 25-14, 25-12, 25-20
Legacy statistics
Kills – Sarah Philley 10, Peyton Thompson 7, Taylor Martinez 6, Kimberly Rabe 4, Jerzy Schafer 4, Josie Griffin 4, Caitlin Beckham 1, Devyn Bryant 1
Digs – Marisa Calzada 18, Kyndall Torres 13, Bryant 6, Beckham 5, Mylie Herrera 4, Thompson 4, Ellie Rhoads 3, Philley 3, Rabe 2, Martinez 1, Griffin 1, Schafer 1
Assists – Beckham 15, Bryant 13, Calzada 1, Thompson 1, Philley 1, Schafer 1
Blocks – Philley 4.5, Rabe... Click here to read full article
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