Lady Blues take third in silver bracket at Lu Allen

After missing last year due to COVID-19-related cancellations, the Lady Blues played in their home tournament this weekend. Graham High School and Graham Junior High School played host to 30 volleyball teams in the annual Lu Allen Memorial Volleyball Tournament. After finishing third in Group C Friday, the Lady Blues played in the silver bracket Saturday to a third-place finish.

Friday’s Matches

The Lady Blues opened the tournament with a 25-15, 25-12 win against Post. The strong start was a continuation of good play going back to the Shallowater tournament two weeks ago.

Nocona was the Lady Blues’ next opponent in Pool C. The opening set proved to be the most dominating performance for the Lady Blues in the tournament with a 25-6 win. The Lady Blues jumped ahead 7-2 after an ace from Tatum Westerman to force Nocona into a timeout. Emma Parker kept the scoring going for the Lady Blues out of the timeout with a block/kill. That was the first point of a 16-4 run to close the set.

The second set was not so easy for the Lady Blues. Nocona opened the set with an 8-2 run by taking advantage of mistakes from the Lady Blues. The Lady Blues gave up four points by sending the ball into the net. Nocona pushed the lead to 15-9 before the Lady Blues called their first timeout.

Out of the timeout, the Lady Blues seemed more composed and went on an 8-0 run to close the deficit to two points before Nocona’s first timeout of the set. The Lady Blues established a four-point lead at 23-19, but could not close out the set. Nocona won the set on a 6-0 run.

Nocona jumped ahead early in the third set 5-1. The Lady Blues responded with an 11-2 run before Nocona retreated into a timeout. The Lady Blues never trailed again in the match. Olga Morales served an ace to win the set 25-22.

For the rest of the story, see the Aug. 25 edition of The Graham Leader.