By JASON GORDON
The exciting 2011 Hays volleyball season came to an end Friday night with a 17-25, 25-20, 25-18, 28-26 loss to Cedar Park in the area round of the playoffs at Rouse High School in Leander.
The Lady Rebs, who were coming off a bi-district playoff win three days earlier against Boerne Champion, got off to a hot start against Cedar Park, winning the first game, but couldn’t make it last.
The Lady Rebels, who hadn’t won a postseason game since 2008 before the victory against Boerne Champion, were trying to advance to the Class 4A Region IV quarterfinals.
“I’m disappointed we lost, but I couldn’t be more proud of the girls,” said Hays head coach Erica Walther. “We battled all season long, and the way we played in our final match was no different. I’m especially proud of the way the seniors went out, and I’m excited about the players we have coming back for the future of our program.”
Sophomore Sydney Paradeaux, who suffered a leg injury against Boerne Champion, came back and led Hays with 14 kills against Cedar Park.
Kaylea Beck had 13 kills and 15 digs, Emily Clark had four kills and four blocks, Hannah Ramsey had 27 assists and 18 digs, and Stephanie Ellis added 13 digs for the Lady Rebs.
Hays finishes the 2011 season with a 27-20 record. The Lady Rebs played in one of the toughest Class 4A districts in the area, facing the likes of Canyon, Alamo Heights and Smithson Valley.
“This season was so much fun,” Clark said. “We all got along like sisters and that’s how a team is supposed to be. This year’s senior class brought back a lot of old Hays traditions and that helped make the team unity stronger.”
Clark said she’s proud of the fact the Lady Rebs got back on the winning track in the playoffs against Champion.
“Winning the playoff game was amazing,” she said. “It made our school and our program proud. I’m excited to see the program advance in the next few years.”
Fellow senior Kelsea Sadler said the team didn’t hold anything back in the loss to Cedar Park.
“We fought harder than I’ve ever seen us fight Friday night and I couldn’t have asked for a better effort from our team,” Sadler said. “If next year starts with the same drive and heart this season ended with Hays will have a fantastic team and advance even further in the playoffs. I’m looking forward to coming back and watching them dominate.”
Hays loses only five seniors from this year’s squad: Clark, Beck, Sadler, Ellis and Lauren Burke.
“Losing those five players will hurt because they gave a lot to the program,” Walther said. “But we have a strong nucleus coming back. If we stay healthy and stay committed to each other there’s no reason we can’t be even better next season.”
