COMING TOGETHER RIGHT NOW

Wrapping up three busy weeks, Class 3A Clifton Lady Cubs win streak reaches nine before dropping tournament title match to Class 5A Belton

Racking up another seven matches in their third straight busy week to open the 2024 Texas high school volleyball season, the Class 3A Clifton Lady Cubs came together as a team and surged down victory lane. Hosting the Lady Cubs Tournament, Clifton rolled to four impressive straight set victories before running into Class 5A Belton in the championship game, snapping the Lady Cubs’ nine-match win streak.

“Our tournament was great, even though we fell a little short against Belton,” Clifton volleyball head coach Joy Holzmann said. “All of our games on Thursday were great. We came out excited to play in every match and played very well.

Settling into a two-match per week routine as the Lady Cubs prepare for district play in three weeks, Clifton (15-10) hosts the Class 4A Waco Connally Lady Cadets (8-10) at 6 p.m. Tuesday before taking on the Class 2A Rio Vista Lady Eagles at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Clifton High School Gymnasium.

“I’m really excited about our performances this past week,” Holzmann said. “We keep getting better and better each match. I can’t say enough about the camaraderie of this group of girls. They are a special group with a lot of talent and the desire to win. I couldn’t ask for anything better of them. The special bond that these girls hold with each other is a big part of our success. I can’t wait to see what we will do when the district starts.”

Opening the tournament on Thursday before a jam-packed, student-laden crowd in the Clifton High School Gymnasium, the Lady Cubs dominated pool play with three consecutive straight-set victories over Class 2A Granger 25-11, 25-23, Class 3A Jacksboro 25-12, 25-16, and Class 4A Alvarado 25-12, 25-14.

“We did not lose a set in all three matches,” Holzmann said. “Everyone in our pool was pretty competitive. So being able to go two sets with everyone is an accomplishment, and I was proud of their performances on Thursday.”

During the tournament’s first three matches, sophomore Brystel Wise collected a team-high 25 kills, while sophomore Madison Otter surpassed the milestone of 1,000 career assists by setting the ball 55 times.

“I’m super proud of Maddie and her big accomplishment, and she is just a sophomore,” Holzmann said. “I’m so excited to see what she does for the rest of her career. She couldn’t do it without all the help and support of her great teammates.”

In between tournament days, the Lady Cubs hit the road again to battle Hamilton, dominating the Lady Tigers, 25-16, 25-12, 25-15, in straight sets Friday afternoon. Wise smashed a team-high 11 kills, four service aces and 11 digs, followed by senior Brylee Heim with seven kills and six digs. Freshman Taliyha Davenport came up for three blocks, Otter delivered 27 assists, while freshman Scarlett Kennedy and junior Sophia Ritzmann led with 10 serve receptions apiece.

“Coming off an excited Thursday at our tournament, we continued with the same play,” Holzmann said. “The girls came out strong, and everyone contributed to the win.”

In tournament bracket play on Saturday, the Lady Cubs earned a spot in the championship game by battling past the TAPPS Class 4A Waco Vanguard College Prep Lady Vikings, 25-21, 25-18. Wise led Clifton with 10 kills, Kennedy came up with 12 digs and Otter delivered 19 assists. In the title match, Belton swept past the Lady Cubs, 25-13, 25-22.

“In bracket play, we also took Vanguard in two sets and fell short to Belton,” Holzmann said. “We struggled in serve receive in the first set against Belton, so we weren’t able to run our offense like we usually do. We did much better in set two, but were unable to adjust to a few things that they were doing.”

Riding a three-match win streak, the Lady Cubs (15-10) warmed up for hosting their own tournament by hitting the road and posting a straight-set 25-12, 28-26, 25-12 victory over the Bosque County rival Valley Mills Lady Eagles last Tuesday.

“The girls came out strong in the first set, missed a lot of serves in the second game, but finished strong in the third set,” Holzmann said. “We had everyone contribute in this match.”

Wise led Clifton with 13 kills, four serve aces, seven digs and 10 serve receptions, followed by junior Addison Martin with nine kills, four serve aces and seven digs. Otter led the Lady Cubs with 32 assists and five service aces, while senior Camy Barsh topped with five blocks, and Heim came up with six digs and 10 service receptions. With her performance in the tournament, Wise reached the milestone of 500 career kills.

“And she’s only a sophomore,” Holzmann said. “I’m excited to see what Brystel does the rest of this season and the next two years. She also couldn’t make this happen without her great teammates. I’m so proud of her. Others that stood out this weekend were Brylee Heim, Camy Barsh, and Addison Martin. They are also a big part of our offense and defense and played well all weekend.”