BACK-TO-BACK PLAYOFF-BOUND

Clifton Lady Cubs volleyball clinches District 17-3A postseason berth, but remains in a battle to break tie for third place with Whitney for playoff seeding

Despite already clinching a Class 3A state playoff berth for the second straight season, the Clifton Lady Cubs volleyball team still has plenty to play for with three District 17-3A matches remaining in the regular season.

By knocking off the Maypearl Lady Panthers in a five-set marathon, 19-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-7, last Tuesday, the Lady Cubs locked up a spot in the playoffs. Senior Carley Caniford with 16 kills, junior Brianna Gonzalez with nine, junior Kate Humphreys with seven while senior Camryn Caniford and Fullerton smashed six each.

“We have a talented group of girls who have made it a goal to make the playoffs,” Clifton volleyball’s first-year head coach Whitney Holdbrook said. “These girls have put in the work since last season to achieve this goal. Each player has made it a priority to better their skills for the team, and it has shown throughout this season.”

Despite losing the first two sets, the Lady Cubs (6-4 in district, 15-12 overall) battled back in constant do-or-die mode to pull out the victory over Maypearl (3-7, 6-14). Junior Sydney Fullerton 25 assists and 16 digs, junior Laylah Gaona came up with a team-high 26 digs, Carley Caniford 15 digs, while junior Alyssa Santillan, sophomore Cameron Ritz and Fullerton delivered two service aces each.

“The girls struggled in the first two sets against Maypearl on Tuesday,” Holdbrook said. “But they answered with intensity in the third, fourth and fifth sets. I am proud of the fight they showed Tuesday and that they never lost sight of the team goal.”

But in the battle for the third place playoff seeding, Whitney (6-4, 16-21) avenged its loss in the first round by sweeping the Lady Cubs in three sets, 25-18, 26-24, 25-17, last Friday. Carley Caniford led Clifton with eight kills, Fullerton dished out seven assists and Gaona came up with 18 digs.

After taking on the district co-leading West Lady Trojans (9-1, 26-10) on the road at 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Lady Cubs will get an open date in the district schedule before traveling to Waco to take on the Harmony Science Academy (0-10, 0-18) at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 to wrap up the regular season.

While Grandview (9-1, 27-8) and West have clinched at least first or second, if the Lady Cubs remain deadlocked with Whitney for third place, the two teams will have a playoff to break the tie.

Riding the momentum of their strong showing in the first round of District 17-3A competition, the Lady Cubs extended their win streak to three straight with a four-set victory over the Keene Lady Chargers, 25-21, 25-18, 24-26, 25-10 at home.

“The girls came out focused to get that first second round of district win,” Holdbrook said. “They have really worked on making everyone a part of our offensive game, and we had multiple players getting kills for the team. Our defense was very strong out of serve receive, having very few errors in the entire match.”

Against Keene (3-7, 14-12), Fullerton, Carley Caniford and Gaona came up with 14 digs each to lead the Lady Cubs, followed by Gonzalez with 10 and Santillan with eight. Fullerton, Gonzalez and Camryn Caniford smashed two service aces apiece.

After opening the second round with the win over Keene, Clifton dropped a three-set decision to the co-district leading Grandview Lady Zebras, 25-20, 25-15, 26-24, on the road Oct. 8. With Grandview coming off their thrilling four-set victory over previously undefeated West on Tuesday, senior Shelby Martin led the Lady Zebras with 19 kills while senior Kierstyn Moore came up with 12 digs.

“The girls played hard on Saturday against Grandview,” Holdbrook said. “Defensively, the front row battled to get blocks up against some really strong hitters and ended up with 10 blocks. The back row did a good job adjusting to the angles of the hitters. Offensively, we had some great kills. We just struggled with consistency throughout the match.”

Carley Caniford led the Lady Cubs with 10 kills against Grandview, followed by Camryn Caniford with eight and Humphreys five, while Fullerton dished out 15 assists, followed by Ritz with 11 assists, and Gaona with 17 digs.

On the strength of a dominating straight set victory over Waco Harmony Science Academy, 25-4, 25-5, 25-9, on Senior Night Sept. 30, the Lady Cubs wrapped up the first round of district in sole possession of third place behind West and Grandview and just ahead of Whitney.

“The girls came out with a lot of focus on senior night,” Holdbrook said. “Everyone contributed offensively and defensively.”

Camryn Caniford enjoyed a big night with a season-high 10 kills along with four service aces, Gaona delivered a team-high six aces and six digs, Gonzalez followed with seven kills and four aces, Carley Caniford smashed four kills and came up with four digs, while sophomore Cameron Ritz offered a team-high 25 assists.

With a district open date on the schedule Sept. 27, the Lady Cubs hit the road for one more non-district tuneup match, taking down the Tolar Lady Rattlers, 25-9, 26-24, 24-26, 25-20 as Fullerton and junior Kate Humphreys delivered three service aces apiece.

“The team has been focused on their goal of returning to the playoffs,” Holdbrook said. “I am proud of the girls and the desire they show to improve every day, and how they carry that to the games.