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Volleyball: Heritage firepower too much for Marcus
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
COLLEYVILLE - After having issues starting matches throughout the year, Marcus' volleyball team came out with intensity of a squad hungry to pull off a first-round upset over state-title contender Colleyville Heritage.
And while Marcus' focus set the stage for a competitive match, the firepower of the No. 2-ranked Lady Panthers proved to be enough as Heritage secured a sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-23) to advance to the area round.
"We played with a lot of heart and played hard tonight," said Jennifer Cron, Marcus head coach. "We were able to compete with a team that had a lot of firepower, especially with their outside hitters, and they were tough to defend. We played hard and I'm proud of their effort and how they fought."
"We were able to come out and reach a playoff game," Cron said. "That's outstanding in our district; to reach the playoffs period. And then to come out and play very well tonight, I was very pleased."
Regan McGuire led the Lady Marauders with 12 kills and matched Michelle Toro with a team-high four blocks. Kelsee Vandiver dug up 24 balls, while Brittany Flanagan notched a pair of aces and Sam Sales and Mattie Rainwater dished out 10 and eight assists, respectively.
Sarita Mikals led Heritage with 18 kills, including a termination to cap the match, while Kimmy Gardiner recorded 15 kills, including winners on four of the final five points of the second set.
"I thought our back row defense was outstanding and were able to keep a lot of points going," Cron said. "But they have a couple of very good hitters and they also have a talented middle that is very quick. They're tough to match up with."
Marcus raced out to a 7-4 advantage in Game 1 setting the stage for a competitive first set, a stretch that included consecutive block-kills from Tori Reyer.
"We've been struggling with the start of the match all season so it was good to see them focused and not nervous or over-excited," Cron said. "They were right at the level that they needed to be and it led to a great start."
However, a 6-0 spurt keyed by the block of Chandler Templin helped the Lady Panthers overcome the early deficit to lead, 14-10. Marcus didn't go down easily, though, as Toro delivered a pair of kills sandwiched around a successful dig that was returned over the net and dropped in for a point by Brittany Flanagan prompting a Heritage timeout.
Toro evened the score with another kill out of the break but Heritage then rattled off an 11-5 spurt to win the set.
The Lady Panthers were at their finest and most dominant in the second set when Heritage recorded 10-of-12 points to open the game.
Marcus would get to within in three at 12-9, following a kill and subsequent ace from McGuire but the Lady Marauders would not get any closer in the second set.
McGuire would finish with 12 kills, including five in the third set as the Lady Maruaders tried to prolong the match.
Trailing, 9-5, Marcus ripped off a 9-1 run to grab the advantage.
An ace from Sales saw the Lady Marauders lead, 18-14, but a Heritage team determined to close the match roared back behind the attack of Mikals.
"They showed a lot of heart," Cron said. "People stepped up and played very well. It was good to see and there are no regrets with how we played tonight."
Cron is hopeful the work ethic and talent she saw this year continues during the offseason and carries into a successful 2013 campaign.
"It was a hard-fought season," she said. "There was a lot of learning process getting used to a new coach. But I saw a lot of good leadership and even though we had our struggles with injuries and things of that nature, I was proud of the effort we gave all year."
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