COLLECTING ACCOLADES

Clifton Lady Cubs Barsh, Davenport, Wise receive All-District 17-3A superlative honors; Clifton places two more on first team along with two second teamers, one honorable mention

Although their run in the Class 3A, Division II playoffs ended sooner than they might have hoped, the Clifton Lady Cubs walked off of the volleyball court for the final time with a season worth of accomplishments. And after the all-District 17-3A selections were announced last week, the Lady Cubs had more hardware to add to the trophy case.

With sophomore Brystel Wise named all-district Hitter of the Year, senior Camy Barsh drew the Blocker of the Year award, and freshman Talihya Davenport named Newcomer of the Year, the Lady Cubs also placed senior Brylee Heim and sophomore Madison Otter on the all-district first-team.

“I’m so excited for Brystel, Camy and Talihya, and they are all so deserving of the awards,” Clifton volleyball head coach Joy Holzmann said. “I’m also so excited for Brylee and Madison. I wish Brylee could have gotten a superlative, but it didn’t work out. Both Brylee and Madison are also so deserving of first team.”

Leading the Lady Cub attack at the net, Wise smashed a team-high 507 kills, delivered 62 service aces and ranked second on the team with 400 digs and 491 service receptions. Barsh made her presence know in the middle with a team-high 73 blocks along with 134 kills, while Davenport followed with 64 blocks and 138 kills.

As another imposing outside hitter, Heim hammered 294 kills, came up with 50 blocks and delivered 43 service aces along with 237 digs and 356 service receptions. Setting up the offensive attack, Otter provided a team-high 1,081 assists while coming up with 219 digs, as well 55 service aces and 46 blocks.

In addition to having five starters on the all-district first-team, junior Addison Martin and freshman Scarlett Kennedy made the second team, while freshman Lucy New drew honorable mention recognition. The all-district academic team includes junior Piper Bennette, junior Alexa Lane, junior Sophia Ritzmann, Barsh, Heim, Kennedy, Martin, New, Otter and Wise.

As a second-team selection, Martin provided support all around the court, ranking third on the team with 344 digs, along with 51 service aces, 134 kills and 28 blocks. Kennedy led the Lady Cubs in three categories with 78 service aces, 425 digs and 543 service receptions.

“I was glad to be able to get so many girls on the all-district selection,” Holzmann said. “As I mentioned before, this is a special group that worked so hard and were determined to do so well. I couldn’t be happier for all of them.”

After a dominant four-set victory over the Scurry-Rosser Wildcats in a Class 3A, DII Bi-District match, the Lady Cubs quickly came back down to earth as the eighth-ranked Lexington Lady Eagles handed Clifton a decisive four-set loss in the Area Playoff match.

On the season, the Lady Cubs (7-3 in district, 30-14 overall) placed third in District 17-3A behind West and Troy, posted a 30-win season, advance to the playoffs for the fourth straight season, and won a playoff game for the second straight season after a 20-year drought.

As the District 17-3A champion advancing to the Division II playoff bracket, the West Lady Trojans (9-1 in district, 34-13 overall) advanced to the State Tournament before losing to eventual state champion Stockdale in the semifinal in four sets, 16-25, 25-23, 25-28, 26-24, Nov. 19 at Pflugerville Hendrickson High School.

“Even though we finished third, I feel like we were just as good as West and Troy,” Holzmann said. “I think the inexperience at playing in big games was the difference.”

Flying high from their impressively dominant four-set victory over the Scurry-Rosser Wildcats in a Class 3A, DII Bi-District match at Waxahachie High School’s Mike Turner Gymnasium, the Lady Cubs quickly came back down to earth as the eighth-ranked Lexington Lady Eagles handed Clifton a decisive four-set loss in the Area Playoff match at the Riesel ISD Urbantke Gymnasium.

“The match against Scurry-Rosser was awesome,” Holzmann said. “The girls were so ready to play and determined to get the win, and I think that’s why we started so strong and finished so strong. We had a game plan and the girls followed to the end.

“We fought to the very end against Lexington. And with a couple of calls in the fourth set at crucial times made the difference in the game. But I have to give Lexington credit, because they played well.”

Despite having 10 underclassmen on the varsity roster, the Lady Cubs will be saying goodbye to their two senior leaders – middle hitter Camy Barsh and outside hitter Brylee Heim.

“My two seniors were very special this year,” Holzmann said. “Brylee and Camy showed great character and leadership on and off the court. I don’t have enough words that describe what they mean to me and this team. They are a huge part of our success that we had this year. I hate that the season has come to an end, and Brylee and Camy will be missed tremendously.

“They welcomed all the new players to varsity and made them feel a part of the team, and they were a huge part of the great camaraderie that we had on this team. This team is so special because of their camaraderie, great attitudes and determination. And they are just fun to coach and be around.”

In addition to reaching several of their season goals, the Lady Cubs made their mark along the way as well, sweeping past West in straight sets in the first round of district, winning 17 of 18 matches during one stretch, and vaulting into the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s Top 25 poll as the Class 3A’s 11th-ranked squad in the state.

“Brylee and Camy will be greatly missed next year, but looking forward to getting started with the girls that will be back. With a year of experience with the younger girls, this will help tremendously. I’m looking forward to see how far we go next year. I will have Addison Martin, Sophie Ritzmann, and Piper Bennette as seniors and looking for them to lead the team.

“Brystel Wise and Madison Otter will also be big part of our success next year along with the sophomores, Talihya Davenport, Scarlett Kennedy and Lucy New. I know the girls will work hard this spring and summer to be ready to go for next year. I can’t wait to get started.”

As a veteran head coach, Holzmann returned to Clifton for a second stint in 2023, starting her high school coaching career in Clifton for 11 years after playing collegiate volleyball and graduating from Midwestern State University.

Growing up in West and playing volleyball for the Lady Trojans, Holzmann went on the play volleyball at Midwestern State before embarking on her coaching career. During her 11 years in Clifton, Holzmann led the Lady Cubs to a number of district championships, qualified for the Regional Tournament several times, and advanced to the State Volleyball Tournament.

After getting married in 2023, Holzmann and her husband made the move back to Central Texas.

“Along with this great team, the parents are also very special,” Holzmann said. “I have been blessed with a special group of kids and parents, and I am grateful for that. I also want to thank the community for all the support through the season. What great fans we had all season. We couldn’t have done all of this without the support so thank you, thank you

“I am so glad I decided to come back to Clifton. I have been coaching for 26 years, and this group ranks up there with one of my best teams and best parents that I have had. Thank you, girls and parents, for all you have done.”