MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas-The ebb and flow through a season is main component of a champion.
Hooks (23-14) clashed with Mount Vernon (24-7) at Willie Williams Gym in Mount Pleasant for a bi-district volleyball match, and the Lady Hornets pushed the Lady Tigers to five sets before falling, 25-23, 22-25,28-26, 19-25, 15-11, Monday.
The first set was a back-and-forth rally between both squad. Mount Vernon served first and took an early 3-0 lead while senior JaKayla Fountain was at the service line.
The Lady Hornets began to mount a comeback when senior Kenley Kyles was at the line; Hooks was down 7-3 when Kyles took over.
After a few Lady Tiger miscues and sophomore Lexie Frachiseur rotating in at the net, Hooks tied the first set 21-21, after trailing by seven points earlier.
Sophomore Bailey Thomas led Mount Vernon in the first set with eight kills and five service points. Hooks' Frachiseur finished the first set with seven kills and three blocks, and Kyles ended the first set with six kills for Hooks.
The second set started slightly different than the first for Hooks.
The Lady Hornets gained a 11-6 lead early on behind Kyles and senior Marena Estell at the net. Mount Vernon started to gain some traction when Fountain was at the service line. The Lady Tigers were trailing by four points, after her three consecutive service points.
Thomas continued to impose her will at the nets. She finished the second set with four kills, three service points and two blocks. Estell totaled three kills and three service points in the second set for Hooks.
Frachiseur contributed four kills, three points and two blocks for the Lady Hornets.
The Lady Tigers started off fast in the third set. The Lady Hornets found themselves down, 5-1, before their first serve.
Frachiseur not only made an impact at the nets but she also had key blocks for the Lady Hornets down the stretch. The sophomore finished with four kills, three blocks and three service points in the third set. Kyles finished the third set with two kills and three service points.
The Tigers started off leading, 5-0, with Fountain at the service line.
Hooks found a way to comeback to force a fifth and final set to decide who would advance
The final set began with the Lady Hornets lead, 4-0. After a few miscues, the district champions fought back to win the match and advance to the area round later this week.