Aledo’s Ladycats may have started district play with a different result than they wanted, but since then the Ladycats have won three in a row. The squad picked up a pair of wins on the road in the last week, defeating Azle three sets to one to start the road trip. They followed up that performance by absolutely decimating Wichita Falls Rider on Tuesday, Sept 19, by scores of 25-9, 25-13, and 25-17.
A lingering issue for the Ladycats (22-8 overall, 3-1 in District 5-5A) in matches they’ve won has been coasting too much in the third set once they have their opponent in a 2-0 hole. It happened a few times during the predistrict schedule. It happened in their district wins over Granbury and Azle.
On Tuesday night, however, the Ladycats were determined not to allow an all but defeated Lady Raiders team to steal a set and prolong the match. Aledo kept the pressure on, earning their first shutout of an opponent since defeating Waco Midway on Sept. 5.
Tuesday’s match saw the return from injury of Vivian Parker and Ella Meador. Parker, still nursing a lingering injury, played limited time during the Ladycats’ last home match against Granbury. At Wichita Falls Rider, both ladies returned to the floor, making their presence felt with dominant performances.
Parker led the Ladycats in kills with 15, while also scooping 11 digs and serving up an ace. Meador earned a match-high 14 digs. She also picked up an ace and an assist in her first match back.
Ava Reding is quietly putting on a master class this season. The junior setter picked up another 66 assists during the two-game road trip. That brings her total for the year to a staggering 632. If that weren’t enough, she also leads Aledo in aces with 37 after picking up three more on Tuesday.
The Ladycat offense runs so efficiently because it runs through Reding.
At the net, Haley Lowe and Ella Isbell had four blocks each against the Lady Raiders. Lowe patrols the middle of the net like she’s Dikembe Mutombo. With five weeks left in the season, the junior middle blocker already has 80 blocks on the year.
Aledo stings Lady Hornets
On Friday, Sept. 15 the Ladycats made the short trek through the hills to Azle for their third District 5-5A matchup of the season. Standing at 1-1 in district play to that point, Aledo won a decisive four-set match, defeating the Lady Hornets by tallies of 26-24, 25-13, 21-25, and 25-16.
Kaylee Berkley, Kinley Elms, and Alyssa Todd were money up front as the trio cashed in with 11 kills each during the match. Kenrie Pruitt led the Ladycats in digs with 24. Logyn Denbrow and Todd worked their way into double-digit digs on the night, as well, collecting 15 and 13 digs, respectively.
Lowe blocked six shots from Azle attackers to lead the way for Aledo, as she’s done for much of the season.
Isbell and Denbrow both earned a pair of aces against Azle as well.
The Ladycats return home on Friday, Sept. 22 when they host Saginaw. Presently, the district records for the two squads are opposite of each other. Aledo sits at 3-1 in District 5-5A play, while the Lady Rough Riders are 1-3.
That match is slated to get underway at 6 p.m.
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