Back to Back State Champs for Decatur HS

<p>Celina vs Decatur for the State Championship. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img class="alignleft wp-image-167233" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2605-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="152" height="202" />Celina came in to the championship match with a 42-1 overall record and an unblemished 12-0 district record. This year they were on a mission and have used stellar defense and a balanced attack to reach the title match.  Defending 4A State Champs, Decatur, also had another great season with an overall record of 36-8 coming into the championship match.  Both of these teams were riding highs from amazing seasons, a wonderful run through the playoffs and looked to battle hard in the title match.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Celina came out standing toe to toe in the center of the ring with a formidable opponent.  Set one was definitely a slug-fest as both teams unleashed some bombs on each other.  Senior Outside Lexi Manning from Celina was unstoppable in the entire first set and led her team to a chance to win.  She lit up the court from the left side pin and Decatur could not slow her down. But what Decatur could do, is throw some haymakers of their own with [player_tooltip player_id="119916" first="Jentry" last="Lamirand"], [player_tooltip player_id="99503" first="Dakota" last="Hartman"], and Kaylee Peterson. Senior setter Bayli Miller was dealing to each of them so well.  Set one was a nail biter but Decatur came out on top 25-23. <img class=" wp-image-167231 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2589-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="194" height="259" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Set two was a phenomenal offensive clinic put on by Decatur and Celina had absolutely no answer for it. It wasn’t just the fact that Bayli Miller was distributing the ball all around and her hitters were finding holes. What was astounding was the power at which these bombs were being unleashed.  It was like watching a dunk contest as the crowd was “oohing and ahhing” throughout the entire onslaught.  Decatur made quick work of Celina in set two and won 25-10 in what seemed like ten minutes of game play.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Set three was more of the same as Celina put up a great defensive effort to stay in rallies. Their left and middle back digging were amazing in the back row and took power punches very well.  But you can only slow an offensive juggernaut down so much before they take their final toll.  The offense of Decatur never stopped and they won the final set 25-10 to complete the sweep. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img class="alignleft wp-image-167234" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2595-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="159" height="212" />[player_tooltip player_id="99503" first="Dakota" last="Hartman"] played with passion and it was fun watching her wave at the Celina servers saying "bring it to me".  That kind of confidence pours out of every cell in Kota’s body and she wills her team to play at the same level of intensity.  Bayli Miller showed why she is so electric moving the ball around the court.  Kaylee Peterson’s amazing athleticism was on full display as she kept the Decatur offense rolling on the left side.  [player_tooltip player_id="119916" first="Jentry" last="Lamirand"] showed just how dominant she is from anywhere on the court.  Celina outside hitters Ryan McCoy and Lexi Manning played awesome and deserve recognition in the loss. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The following players received All Tournament honors from UIL at the State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>4A - 2021-2022</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99503" first="Dakota" last="Hartman"] - Senior - Decatur</strong></li> <li><strong>Bayli Miller - Senior - Decatur</strong></li> <li><strong>Kaylee Peterson - Senior - Decatur</strong></li> <li><strong>Megan Hodges - Senior - Celina</strong></li> <li><strong>Lexi Higgins - Senior - Bellville</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>Championship Match Most Valuable Player</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119916" first="Jentry" last="Lamirand"] - Senior - Decatur</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong><strong style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong><img class="wp-image-167226 alignnone" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2825-e1638046893813-173x300.png" alt="" width="118" height="205" /></strong></strong></p> <p><strong> </strong>We would like to congratulate Decatur on their amazing season and way to cap it off with their second straight State Championship and fifth in eight years!!! Enjoy it ladies. </p> <p>We will be publishing more articles weekly to give recognition to those teams and athletes who are playing great in their matches.  Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.  If you have anyone that you think deserves to be recognized as a player of the week, feel free to send me a message with their information. Or if you have anyone that you think have what it takes to be added to our database, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com.  As always, thanks for following our publication Texas Family!</p>