Lady Blues compete in Jon Smith Memorial Showcase

The season has yet to officially begin, but the Lady Blues volleyball team recently participated in the inaugural Jon Smith Memorial Showcase in Abilene. The event took place July 19 and 20 by the Abilene Youth Sports Authority and featured a total of 18 teams.

The Lady Blues sent two teams to the event which provided more opportunities for the girls to show what they can do before practice officially begins on Aug. 1.

Team 1 for the Lady Blues opened up play in Pool A against with Abilene Wylie 2, Periman Varsity, Friona and Midland Classical. The group proved to be light work for the Lady Blues as they only gave up a single set to Midland Classical (11-15) and swept Wylie 2 (15-11, 15-11), Periman (15-11, 15-14) and Friona (15-8, 16-15).

Team 2 was matched with Braswell, Abilene Wylie 1, Sweetwater and Jim Ned in Pool B. Lady Blues 2 took straight sets against Braswell (15-8, 15-8) and Sweetwater (15-1, 15-8). The girls split with Jim Ned (15-10, 12-15) and were swept by Wyile 1 (11-15, 10-15).

Both Lady Blues squads achieved success in their respective second-round groups.

Lady Blues 1 was placed in Pool B in the second round with Abilene Cooper 2, Sweetwater, Clyde and Odessa Permian JV. The group proved to be little challenge for the Lady Blues as the group swept the group in straight sets, only giving up more than 10 points on three of the eight sets. This was good enough to advance to the Gold Tournament on Saturday.

For the rest of the story, see the Wednesday, July 31 edition of The Graham Leader.