Sachse’s Natallie Rainey (8) and Laney George (2) go up for a block against Garland during Tuesday’s District 9-6A match. Photo by Ashley Hudson / C&S Media
By David Wolman
GARLAND — Sachse head volleyball coach Rikki Jones was eager to see how her Lady Mustangs would respond after losing a six-point lead in the first set of Tuesday’s match.
The Lady Mustangs responded with a strong finish to win the second set, but Sachse was unable to build on that momentum and fell to Garland 25-21, 17-25, 25-20, 25-23 at Garland High School.
Senior middle hitter Ella Smith carried the offensive load for Sachse early, recording nine of her 15 kills in the first set. Her eighth kill gave the Lady Mustangs a 12-9 lead.
Sachse appeared to be in control after a tip kill by junior Sarah Naidoo increased the advantage to 16-10.
However, Garland adjusted defensively and took advantage of off-target passes by Sachse to chip away at the lead.
Despite those struggles, Sachse remained in position to steal the opening set.
A kill from junior outside hitter Natallie Rainey gave the Lady Mustangs a 20-19 lead. But that would be Sachse’s last lead of the set. Garland countered with a 6-1 run to take the set. A service ace by junior Alexandria Bollinger-Clay clinched a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five match for the Lady Owls.
Sachse came out swinging in the second set.
A booming kill by junior Fallin Whitmore, followed by an ace from Smith, gave the Lady Mustangs an early 10-6 lead.
Garland rallied to briefly take the lead, but Sachse had all the answers down the stretch. A kill by Whitmore capped an impressive eight-point win for the Lady Mustangs in the second set.
Late in the third set, Garland appeared to have seized control. Senior Joy Ben finished off a free ball with a kill to give the Lady Owls a commanding 23-16 lead.
Sachse didn’t go down without a fight.
The Lady Mustangs reduced their deficit to 23-20 after a Harper Holt service and a Lady Owls hitting error, forcing Garland to call a timeout.
Garland responded well after the timeout, scoring the final two points of the set. A Crystal Cortes ace gave the Lady Owls a two-sets-to-one advantage.
In need of a spark, Naidoo recorded four straight service aces to begin the fourth set, giving Sachse a 4-0 lead.
The Lady Mustangs led for most of the set, but they were unable to force a deciding fifth set. A 12-5 run took Garland to the finish line, and a kill by junior Naomi Mukah on match point secured a 3-1 win for the Lady Owls on their home court.
Sachse dropped to 17-19 overall and 6-4 in District 9-6A, while Garland improved to 12-13, 5-5. The Lady Mustangs are back in action Friday night at South Garland. First serve is set for 5:30 p.m.
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