Playoff Match to Watch: Boles v Iola
It’s time! The high school volleyball season enters a pivotal moment in the state of Texas with the playoffs going at full pace and the State Championship quickly approaching and us, at Prep Dig, will be following all the action…
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Continue ReadingIt’s time! The high school volleyball season enters a pivotal moment in the state of Texas with the playoffs going at full pace and the State Championship quickly approaching and us, at Prep Dig, will be following all the action just like you.
After nearly three months of regular season, only the best teams of each district remain in contention and from now on, there’s no more room for errors as a setback will mean the end of the season and, for the many seniors, spread across the Lone Star state, the ending point of their high school careers.
The regional semifinals are up next on Friday, November 12, and the match we’d like to recommend you is the Class 2A matchup between the Boles Hornets and the Iola Bulldogs:
Boles vs Iola – 4pm
This meeting will reunite two teams in great form as while the Hornets from the Boles High School out of Quinlan are undefeated in their last 18 matches, the defending champions Bulldogs from the Iola High School have won 19 straight. Boles is currently at 22 wins and six losses in the season after winning the Region III, District 18 with 12 positive results. Iola also topped their league, the Region III, District 22, with the perfect record of eight wins and have a 24-7 win record for the season.
Players to Watch – Boles
Bailey Miller – Middle Blocker – Club: Drive Nation – 2022
A 6’3” middle blocker who makes the most of her tremendous reach and produces at a really high clip, Bailey Miller has been impacting the game in more than one way for Boles in her senior season. Ranked tenth in our 2022 Prep Dig State Rankings, she’s been on fire at the net with team-highs 411 kills and 82 blocks. A West Virginia commit, she is used to playing as an outside hitter for her club teams and because of that has also developed solid backcourt skills, which showed this season with 166 digs, 212 passes and 69 aces.
Caroline Helmberger – Middle Blocker – 2023
Caroline Helmberger is another middle who can do-it-all for the Hornets. Standing at 5’9”, she’s also versatile enough to play as an outside hitter in some rotations. As with Miller, she also gets to produce in a variety of different ways for the team. Helmberger currently ranks second in kills (135) and blocks (38), third in passes (205) and aces (44) and fourth in digs (143).
Players to Watch – Iola
Jenna McDougald – Outside Hitter – 2022
A key piece in Iola’s team that won the State Championship in 2020, Jenna McDougald continues to be an integral part of the roster in her senior season. The 5’9” brings a lot of dynamism to the court and is capable of helping in every single area of the game with wide array of skills. An All-Tournament team and Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) All-State first-team member, she’s one of the team’s centerpieces on offense.
Ava Pointer – Setter – 2022
Having a good, reliable setter makes the difference, especially when the playoffs come and Iola can proudly say they have one of the best in the business in Ava Pointer. The 5’6” ball handler is doing a great job once again in running the team’s offense and leading the Lady Bulldogs to a deep run in the playoffs. Besides a great setter, who’s capable of registering as many as 45 digs in the State Championship final, she’s also an excellent defender.