PARIS, Texas-Pleasant Grove faced an unbeaten Paris squad in an early District 15-4A volleyball showdown Friday on the Lady Wildcats' home court, and the Lady Hawks took it down to the wire by winning in five sets, including 16-14 in the final game.
Pleasant Grove, ranked 15th in Class 4A in the state by the Texas Girls Coaches Association poll, won 25-18, 19-25, 26-24, 21-25 and 16-14. Teams have to defeat their opponents by two points with the first team to 15 points wins provided they have a two-point lead.
The Lady Hawks improve to 25-5 overall and 3-0 in district while Paris falls to 16-15, 2-1. North Lamar (2-0), ranked 18th in the TABC state poll, also was unbeaten in league play heading into its match against Atlanta.
Britton Anderon ignited PG with 26 kills, Blair Smith had 18 service points and 19 digs, and Anna Miller 35 assists.
The Hawks also won the junior varsity match, 25-18, 25-16. Mary Old served 12 winners for Pleasant Grove.
Paris won the freshmen match, 25-18, 17-25, 25-14. Ashanti Levingston had eight points for the Hawks.
Pleasant Grove has two district matches next week, playing Tuesday at Pittsburg and hosting North Lamar on Friday.
Leopards prevail in five
Host Liberty-Eylau evened its District 14-4A volleyball record at 1-1 with a five-set victory over Pittsburg in the Radar Dome.
The Lady Leopards (8-6 overall) won, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-8.
Liberty-Eylau used a team effort to knock off the Lady Pirates (3-12, 0-3). Derrica Henderson led the way with 13 kills and 11 blocks, Taylor Crabtree had 12 kills, Amoiya Gentry eight kills and seven blocks, and Kyana Norman four kills and five blocks.
Kelly Cigainero topped the Leopards with 24 service points and teammate Mariah Coleman served 13 winners and and made 25 digs.
Lady Tigers idle
Texas High, which shares second place with Pine Tree in District 16-5A, had a bye Friday, but faces two crucial league matches next week in the Tiger Center.
The Lady Tigers (14-13) are tied with the Lady Pirates at 4-2 in league play. The co-leaders entering Friday's action were Sulphur Springs and Hallsville.
Texas High hosts Pine Tree on Tuesday and then entertains Sulphur Springs on Friday.
Mustangs stop Bears
HUGHES SPRINGS, Texas-Hughes Springs defeated DeKalb in straight sets in the Lady Mustangs' home gym, winning 25-18, 25-14, 25-22.
The hosts got five kills and four blocks from Zoe Lanier, five kills from Cypress Wright, 12 digs from Kennedi Northam and nine assists from Peyton Blythe.
The Lady Bears' leaders were Kynli Holder with eight kills, Victoria Norwood and Mikayla Baxley with 11 digs each and LaTresha Crittenden with seven assists.
Hornets down Dragons
HOOKS, Texas-The Hooks Lady Hornets (13-13, 5-2) got the last sting against Redwater, winning 25-15, 17-25, 25-13, 15-25, 16-14.
The hosts were paced by Henley Kyles and Emma Farquhar, both with 14 service points.
In addition to her 14 points Kyles also had 19 assists and 25 digs. Emma Farquhar had 60 digs to go along with her 14 points. Lexi Frachiseur smashed 11 kills and had six blocks along with Camille Baugh, who had five kills and four blocks.
Ramzi Smith led the charge for the Lady Dragons with 18 service points.
Hooks' next match will be Tuesday at DeKalb, with games starting at 4:30 p.m.
Lady Lions sweep
NEW BOSTON, Texas-Front-running New Boston swept Queen City in District 14-3A play.
New Boston (15-6, 6-1) came away with the win, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21, led by Hannah Burnett with 10 service points.
Madison Thomas had six points, Morgan McAlexander slammed five kills, Hannah White made 23 assists, and Jennifer McCord shoveled 43 digs.
The Lady Bulldogs slip to 17-12, 4-3.
The Lady Lions' next match will be Tuesday at Daingerfield.