By Moses Leos III.
Eighty-two days prior to Saturday’s area round playoff match, Hays High and Dripping Springs High fought in a grueling four set match. That day, the Lady Rebels claimed a 3-1 win over the state-ranked Lady Tiger team.
Dripping Springs avenged that loss in a big way on Saturday. The seventh-best team in Class 4A swept Hays in straight sets (21-25, 23-25, 19-25) to end Hays’ season at Texans Gym in Wimberley.
The Lady Tigers claimed the first set, but Hays jumped out to an 8-6 lead in the second. That lead was short lived, as Dripping Springs rallied to tie it 10-10.
Hays’ Melaine Harrington (5), Shannon Park (16) and Sundara Chinn (22) attempt to stop a shot taken by Dripping Springs’ Morgyn Greer. State ranked Dripping Springs proved to be too much, defeating Hays in straight sets at Wimberley High School on Saturday. (Photo by Tracy Stirman) |
The Lady Rebels struggled to bypass Dripping Springs’ size on the net. The Lady Tigers’ ability to dig Hays’ kill attempts also limited offensive success. Dripping Springs had total 39 digs to Hays’ 32.
As a result, head coach Erica Walther employed different tactics to attack Dripping’s defense.
“We were hitting great shots and they were digging our balls,” Walther said. “We kept firing back at them. We tried to change where we were hitting. We had some errors in process.”
Both teams went point for point, until Dripping Springs pulled ahead 23-20 on a kill from Morgyn Greer; they eventually won the set. Greer led all players with 15 kills.
Hays’ penchant to fight and rally was constant. It was apparent in set three, where the Lady Rebels kept close.
“We had to have a positive attitude about everything,” senior Sydney Paradeaux said. “Even if it was our last game, we just had to play through it.”
However, Dripping Springs’ defense was too dominant. Junior Kathryn Wristen said Hays tried to work around their blockers, but the Lady Rebels were unable to power past.
Having a secure defense was the plan for Lady Tigers’ head coach Michael Kane. He lauded the effort of his players, especially Jade Beerman, who had 12 digs on the night.
He also credited his team with playing to Hays’ strengths, taking away the power of Paradeaux, who only accrued 13 kills on the day.
But it was the Lady Tiger offense that stepped up at the end. Their prowess proved too strong.
“Our [outside hitters] did a great job,” Kane said. “Morgyn [Greer] and Megan [Bettis] have been mainstays on offense all year. Our young [middle blockers] counterbalanced everything. I thought our girls did a great job.”
With the passing of longtime Dripping Springs softball coach Keith Tuck during the week, Kane understood the significance of advancing to the next round.
“It’s been a tough week for the Dripping Springs community,” Kane said.
Despite the season coming to a close, Walther lauded her team’s continued fight. Ultimately, the talent of Dripping Springs made the difference.
“Dripping Springs is a tough team; they are a strong team,” Walther said. “You have to give them credit about how hard they played offensive and defensively.”
For the Hays seniors, their high school careers come to a close. Walther was proud of them, saying they put in blood, sweat and tears this season.
“It’s sad to leave,” Paradeaux said. “We had a great season.”
Hays completes the year with a 29-16 record.
