Critical points in the clutch played a vital role in the state-ranked Dripping Springs Tiger volleyball team’s 25-23, 26-24, 25-21 sweep over the Hays Rebels Tuesday at Bales Gym.

While Hays (6-4) kept pace with the Tigers (8-4) in the first two frames, the Rebels were unable to keep an experienced Dripping Springs squad from pulling away late.

Tied at 16-16 in a tightly contested first set, Dripping Springs closed the frame by outscoring Hays 9-7 to take a 1-0 match lead. Back and forth pla...