Carthage finishes off Lady Riders, 3-0
Nichols (background) and Omattie Swindle look on Tuesday night at
Roughrider Gymnasium. (Photo by John Krueger)
CENTER -- Just two weeks ago the Center Lady Riders were hoping to make a lot of noise when it came to deciding which District 18-3A teams qualified for the playoffs. But instead of getting ready for postseason play Tuesday night, the Lady Riders went 'silently into the night' as they ended the season with a disappointing 3-0 setback at the hands of District 18-3A champion Carthage at Roughrider Gymnasium. Carthage won the match in straight sets, 25-15, 25-12 and 25-8.
A pair of disappointing 3-2 setback last week eliminated Center from any postseason hopes when Huntington and Rusk were able to edge CHS. Center ended the season with a 9-8 season record, placing fourth in the league race with a 4-6 record. Carthage claimed the league title with a near-perfect 9-1 record, posting a 28-9 season mark. Huntington and Diboll will be the other two postseason representatives from the 18-3A.
Having already been eliminated from any playoff chances last week could have possibly had an effect on the play of the Lady Riders in Tuesday night's season finale. Center didn't appear to give much of a fight in the setback to its arch-rival from Panola County.
The contest was senior night at CHS, as the home crowd honored the three seniors playing their final volleyball game. Simone Swindle, Omattie Swindle and Shaderica Gregory were each recognized along with their families during a pregame ceremony.
Omattie Swindle finished with four kills, while Ashley Schulz added three. Schulz also had a pair of service aces, while Macie Bush recorded a pair of blocks and Kaley Nichols posted five assists.
When the Lady Riders began the match they looked as if they were going to give the Lady Bulldogs a run for their money. Trailing 4-3, Schulz served four straight points and used the help of kills by Simone and Omattie Swindle to take a 7-4 lead.
But Carthage scored 15 of the next 19 points to open up a 19-11 lead. Even a timeout during the run didn't slow the Lady Bulldogs as they finished the assault with a pair of aces.
Bush then recorded an ace and Center scored two points, but Carthage answered it with a 6-2 run to capture the 25-15 win in Game 1. The Lady Bulldogs finished the game with seven aces.
Game 2 of the match went back and forth until Center held a slim 7-6 lead. Once again the Lady Bulldogs went on a run to widen the gap, as they outscored the Lady Riders 8-1 to open up a 14-8 lead. Carthage then finished the game on an 11-3 run to capture Game 2, 25-12.
Trailing 0-2 in games, the Lady Riders didn't seem to have any fight left in them as the Lady Bulldogs bolted out to a 13-3 lead and then cruised to the 25-8 victory to complete the sweep.
Carthage will receive a first-round bye in the Class 3A Region III playoffs the first part of next week. The Lady Bulldogs will open play in Area play on Nov. 5-7, depending on scheduling.
SUBVARSITY RESULTS
The Center 9th grade and junior varsity squads also were swept in their matches on Tuesday night against Carthage. The Lady Bulldogs topped the Lady Rider jayvee, 25-15, 25-14, while the Carthage 9th grade squad defeated Center, 25-21, 25-21.
Carthage 2, Center JV 0 -- Maria Valtierra recorded a pair of service aces and did not miss a serve for the Center junior varsity, but the Lady Riders came up short against Carthage, 2-0.
Stephany Rodriguez also had two service aces, while Christina Martin finished with an ace and did not record a service error. Phillips also had no service errors. Doniqwa Moss finished with an ace and no missed served and Ashlyn Johnson and Requanah Patton each finished one kill apiece.