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Magnolia falls in state volleyball semifinals
  
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By Roxy Halekakis
SAN MARCOS – It’s been 11 years since Magnolia High last reached the state volleyball tournament. However, time didn’t alter the outcome.
The Lady Bulldogs encountered their old nemesis Hereford in the Class 4A semifinals Thursday night at Strahan Coliseum. The Whitefaces overcame a five-point deficit in game two to rally past Magnolia High 25-18, 30-28, 25-19 and hand the Lady Bulldogs their fourth consecutive state tournament setback.
The two teams previously met in the 1995, ‘96 and ‘97 4A state tournaments. Hereford defeated Magnolia High twice in the state championship match and once in the semifinals during that three-year span.
Despite a roster that included three sophomore starters, Magnolia High swept through Region III. But the Lady Bulldogs couldn’t prevail over the West Texas juggernaut.
“Our kids worked hard and played tough through the entire match,” Magnolia High head coach Terri Johnson said. “To be one of only four teams out of 254 4A schools in the state is pretty awesome. I am really proud of them.”
Nerves got the better of Magnolia in game one as Hereford set the tone with an ace that smacked the floor untouched. The Herd jumped to an 8-3 lead and never trailed, finishing on a high note.
“I think it was all our nerves,” said Magnolia senior Meagan Little, who led her team with nine kills. “But it was an amazing trip to state. I have to say, that they (Hereford) are a really great team.”
Magnolia High started well in game two, taking a 6-1 lead as Kelli Stewart came through with a couple of spikes that sliced their way through the mighty Herd. Little also was on the mark, but unfortunately for Magnolia, she didn’t stay on the front line long enough.
Sophomores Paige Holland and Courtney Felinski teamed up on a block, then Little aced her serve for a 14-9 advantage. But the Whitefaces scored seven points on Magnolia errors to get right back in the thick of things.
The Herd stepped up their blocking at the net, which proved critical for Magnolia High. Little managed a key kill over the middle, then Felinski hammered one home to tie it at 23-23.
It was a see-saw battle to the finish. On game point, a fourth hit by Hereford was overlooked by the officials, knotting the score at 24-24.
Katzy Randall came through with a clutch kill, but three Magnolia hitting errors, coupled with a booming Hereford block lifted the Whitefaces to a 30-28 decision.
“I think the confidence we were building was taken away, and our backs were to the wall,” said Johnson. “But then again, this wasn’t our best match.”
Just like they did in game one, the Whitefaces seized control in the third game a big run that negated a decent start by the Lady Bulldogs. Hereford’s 7-3 run enabled it to build a 21-15 lead and maintain control the rest of the way.
“It was amazing to get this far,” said Holland. “But it makes us really want it even more in the years to come. We all knew it would be a nerve-wracking experience, but it was more overwhelming than we thought.”
Holland, who finished the night with 31 assists, had nothing but praise for her teammates and coach.
“Coach Johnson is the best coach you could ask for,” Holland said. “She is hard on us when she needs to be, but always pushes us to do our best. The seniors really stepped up and were leaders for our team.”
Randall, who finished with eight kills, was emotional after the game.
“We have nothing to hang our heads about,” said Randall. “I thought we had it there for a minute (in game two), but we fell short. We really fought hard though.”
Magnolia High (32-14) loses seniors in Stewart (who has signed with TCU), Little, Breane Matula, Hannah Davies, Chelsea Rauscher and Sarah Bacho. Returning starters including junior Angi Gould and sophomores Holland, Felinski and Randall.
Hereford (44-3) advances to the 4A championship match against either Highland Park or Lake Travis at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The Lady Bulldogs encountered their old nemesis Hereford in the Class 4A semifinals Thursday night at Strahan Coliseum. The Whitefaces overcame a five-point deficit in game two to rally past Magnolia High 25-18, 30-28, 25-19 and hand the Lady Bulldogs their fourth consecutive state tournament setback.
The two teams previously met in the 1995, ‘96 and ‘97 4A state tournaments. Hereford defeated Magnolia High twice in the state championship match and once in the semifinals during that three-year span.
Despite a roster that included three sophomore starters, Magnolia High swept through Region III. But the Lady Bulldogs couldn’t prevail over the West Texas juggernaut.
“Our kids worked hard and played tough through the entire match,” Magnolia High head coach Terri Johnson said. “To be one of only four teams out of 254 4A schools in the state is pretty awesome. I am really proud of them.”
Nerves got the better of Magnolia in game one as Hereford set the tone with an ace that smacked the floor untouched. The Herd jumped to an 8-3 lead and never trailed, finishing on a high note.
“I think it was all our nerves,” said Magnolia senior Meagan Little, who led her team with nine kills. “But it was an amazing trip to state. I have to say, that they (Hereford) are a really great team.”
Magnolia High started well in game two, taking a 6-1 lead as Kelli Stewart came through with a couple of spikes that sliced their way through the mighty Herd. Little also was on the mark, but unfortunately for Magnolia, she didn’t stay on the front line long enough.
Sophomores Paige Holland and Courtney Felinski teamed up on a block, then Little aced her serve for a 14-9 advantage. But the Whitefaces scored seven points on Magnolia errors to get right back in the thick of things.
The Herd stepped up their blocking at the net, which proved critical for Magnolia High. Little managed a key kill over the middle, then Felinski hammered one home to tie it at 23-23.
It was a see-saw battle to the finish. On game point, a fourth hit by Hereford was overlooked by the officials, knotting the score at 24-24.
Katzy Randall came through with a clutch kill, but three Magnolia hitting errors, coupled with a booming Hereford block lifted the Whitefaces to a 30-28 decision.
“I think the confidence we were building was taken away, and our backs were to the wall,” said Johnson. “But then again, this wasn’t our best match.”
Just like they did in game one, the Whitefaces seized control in the third game a big run that negated a decent start by the Lady Bulldogs. Hereford’s 7-3 run enabled it to build a 21-15 lead and maintain control the rest of the way.
“It was amazing to get this far,” said Holland. “But it makes us really want it even more in the years to come. We all knew it would be a nerve-wracking experience, but it was more overwhelming than we thought.”
Holland, who finished the night with 31 assists, had nothing but praise for her teammates and coach.
“Coach Johnson is the best coach you could ask for,” Holland said. “She is hard on us when she needs to be, but always pushes us to do our best. The seniors really stepped up and were leaders for our team.”
Randall, who finished with eight kills, was emotional after the game.
“We have nothing to hang our heads about,” said Randall. “I thought we had it there for a minute (in game two), but we fell short. We really fought hard though.”
Magnolia High (32-14) loses seniors in Stewart (who has signed with TCU), Little, Breane Matula, Hannah Davies, Chelsea Rauscher and Sarah Bacho. Returning starters including junior Angi Gould and sophomores Holland, Felinski and Randall.
Hereford (44-3) advances to the 4A championship match against either Highland Park or Lake Travis at 3 p.m. Saturday.
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