BREAKING OUT THE BROOMS

After sweeping two matches in dominant fashion, Class 3A Clifton Lady Cubs hit the road for four straight before opening District 17-3A play

After playing a whirlwind schedule that included 25 matches in three weeks with three highly-competitive tournaments, the Class 3A Clifton Lady Cub volleyball team settled into a two-match per week routine last week as they prepare for district play.

In dominating fashion, the Lady Cubs swept past the Class 4A Waco Connally Lady Cadets, 25-11, 25-2, 25-16, last Tuesday in the Clifton High School Gymnasium before taking their brooms on the road for an overwhelming 25-11, 25-20, 25-9 straight set win over the Class 2A Rio Vista Lady Eagles Friday for Clifton’s 11th victory in the last 12 matches.

This week, the Lady Cubs (17-10) will hit the road to play their next four matches away from home, beginning with the Lorena Lady Leopards (15-9) at 6 p.m. Tuesday and the Italy Lady Gladiators (12-6) at 4:30 p.m. Friday before opening district at home against West on Sept 27.

“We continue to get better each match,” Clifton volleyball head coach Joy Holzmann said. “And every girl has individual skills that they are mindful about improving each match. We are getting really comfortable with each other and trusting each other, and that will help us win the big games. Unfortunately, we do have several on the road, but the girls do a really good job playing on the road.”

In the second set against Connally, senior Brylee Heim served the Lady Cubs to 19 straight points and finished with seven service aces, five service receptions and three kills.

Sophomore Brystel Wise led the Lady Cubs with 16 kills and a team-high three blocks, along with three service aces, seven service receptions and five digs. Sophomore Madison Otter provided a team-high 24 assists, freshman Scarlett Kennedy came up with eight digs, and junior Addison Martin delivered four service aces.

“We did a good job of playing our game the entire three sets,” Holzmann said. “We have been working hard about staying focused on three sets in a row.

Against Rio Vista, Wise led the Lady Cubs with 12 kills, seven digs and eight service receptions, followed by Heim with eight kills, nine service receptions and six digs, along with freshman Taliyha Davenport smashing seven kills, while Otter provided a team-high 28 assists, Martin delivered two blocks and a team-high nine digs, freshman Lucy New dished out five service aces, and Kennedy came up with six digs and 10 service receptions.

“We did a good job in set one and three, but let up a little on set two,” Holzmann said. “We are continuing to work hard about staying focused for three sets in a row.

“Last week, we had an overall performance by everyone. As I mentioned before, the camaraderie of this group and their determination to win continues to make us successful. They are a special group of student athletes.”