PRIMED & READY: Lady Cubs carry win streak into District 17-3A play

KEENE – After opening District 17-3A competition last Friday with an overwhelming straight set victory over Waco Harmony Science Academy, the Clifton Lady Cub volleyball team will try to keep a five-game winning streak alive when they hit the road to take on Keene today at 5 p.m.

Senior Josephine Burke smashed six kills and service aces while Bailey Ledbetter contributed a team-high seven service aces and four kills to lead the Lady Cubs (1-0 in district, 14-12 overall) over Harmony, 25-4, 25-4, 25-7.

“It was a good way to open up district for us,” Clifton volleyball’s first-year head coach Paige Poth said. “We had a lot of good things to take from the game and a few things to fix and work on for this week’s games.”

Senior Audrey Anderson led the Lady Cubs with five digs and Ledbetter dished out a team-high 15 assists, while sophomore Ava Anderson contributed six service aces and freshman Elizabeth Scott hammered five kills.

“I was pleased with our movement of offense and defense,” Poth said. “But most of all, our focus in the game was really good. We started the game strong and finished strong – minimizing our errors. I was proud of the girls going in and playing their game, and focusing on what we need to focus on to better ourselves.”

The Lady Cubs will have their hands full in the power-packed district, which includes Class 3A’s 10th-ranked Maypearl (22-6), 13th-ranked West (25-4), Whitney (21-9), Grandview (13-8), Rio Vista (9-9) and Keene (2-11).

“I honestly believe that the district will be a fight to the finish,” Poth said. “I think every team will match up and put up a good fight. I think with our preseason and the competition we have faced this far has prepared us for our district, and we will do great things this season.

“Our focus right now is making the playoffs. And we have to keep the mentality that the next game, whoever our opponent is, is the most important game.”

Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS