The Play-In – Magnolia vs. Magnolia West
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Most high school volleyball teams in the state of Texas entered this Friday already knowing if they made it to the playoffs or not and some will even be on the court preparing for the postseason in non-district matches. Conference…
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Continue ReadingMost high school volleyball teams in the state of Texas entered this Friday already knowing if they made it to the playoffs or not and some will even be on the court preparing for the postseason in non-district matches.
Conference 5A – District 21 rivals Magnolia Bulldogs (23-12) and Magnolia West Mustangs (23-13), however, will decide the faith of their season in a single match, as a play-in encounter between the two which will start at 5 PM will determine which of them will finish fourth in their district and face Lake Belton in the bi-district round.
The rivals fought toe-to-toe for the fourth spot during the season and the battle continued until Tuesday, when the Bulldogs beat the Mustangs 3-1 to even their district record at 8-6. In round one, Magnolia West won 3-2.
With everything on the line and a big rivalry involved, this should be one of the most exciting matches of the season and these are three players on each side who have the potential to make a difference for their teams.
Magnolia
The senior middle blocker was a key piece in the team’s victory on Tuesday, leaving the court with 23 kills, three aces and two blocks. A long and athletic middle, Bull is one of the best in her position in the entire state and has been in excellent form all season. She leads the Bulldogs in kills (372), aces (73) and blocks (56) and has been a real force at thet net.
The long and skilled outside hitter has had somewhat of a quiet night offensively on Tuesday, with just six kills, but has been a solid contributor for the Bulldogs throughout the season. Richards ranks second in the squad in kills (367), blocks (25) and passes (436) and fourth in digs (219) and it would be great news for Magnolia if she were able to step up her game and take some of the offensive load off of Bull’s shoulders.
Highlights
Kira Braun
Kira Braun
Magnolia’s starting setter has been on top of her game all season long and her intelligent ball distribution has been pivotal for the team’s success. Braun had an outstanding performance against the Mustangs on Tuesday, leaving the court with 46 assists, eight digs, three kills and two blocks. She’s already over 1,000 assists for the season (currently at 1,049) and ranks second in aces (65) and third in digs (229).
Magnolia West
If the Mustangs are to advance, their heavy-hitter Snook will probably need to put on another top performance. The senior outside hitter was huge on Tuesday, with 20 kills, 25 digs, 29 passes, one block and one ace. Snook has been that good in Magnolia West’s entire campaign, leading the team in kills (520) and aces (58) and ranking second in blocks (41), digs (437) and passes (570), and she has what it takes to take the match over.
Shannon Dworaczyk
Shannon Dworaczyk
A freshman, Dworaczyk has been a revelation for the Mustangs this season. Extremely well-rounded and intelligent, she immediately became a key piece for the team, taking on double duties on the right. Dworaczyk leads Magnolia West in assists (578) and also ranks second in kills (168) and third in digs (295). On Tuesday, she tallied 35 assists, eight kills, eight digs and one ace and another all-around performance from her will be extremely helpful tonight.
Kassidy Johnson
Kassidy Johnson
Johnson’s solid game will have great value for Magnolia West as she’s probably the team’s best hope in terms of getting transition plays. The 5’5″ libero did just that on Tuesday, registering a match-high 31 digs, as well as 14 digs and one ace. She’s been a force on the backcourt for the Mustangs, leading the team in digs (652) and passes (581) and ranking third in aces (36).