Burnet Lady Dawgs beat Llano Lady Jackets in three sets
CAPTION: Burnet junior middle blocker Zaria Solis hits through the Llano block to help the Lady Dawgs earn the point and the win. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School volleyball team showed once more why it’s a squad on the sport’s radar in the state.
The Lady Dawgs (13-7, District 24-4A) defeated Llano 25-18, 25-17, 25-10 Aug. 30.
The Lady Jackets (7-12, District 5-3A) took a 4-1 lead highlighted by junior Khira Batiste’s kill. But Burnet junior outside hitter MaeSyn Gay recorded a spike that triggered a 7-1 run that forced Llano into a timeout. Both teams exchanged points until Burnet senior Lainey Rye recorded a service ace and Gay had another kill for a 16-10 lead. The Lady Dawgs used a mix of dumps, directional tips, blocks and solid hitting to earn the first set.
Burnet kept the momentum going in the second set, taking an 11-1 lead before a hitting error ended the streak. Facing a16-6 deficit, the Lady Jackets got to work. Junior Chloe Lucas recorded a spike, while senior setter Keihana Palamares served three aces to pull the Lady Jackets to a two-point deficit at 15-17. Burnet’s strong presence at the net led by junior middle blocker Zaria Solis, sophomore outside hitter Lauren Howton, senior outside hitter McKenzie Davis and Gay proved to be too much as they combined for blocks and kills in winning the second set.
The third set was all Burnet.
Shipley commended her hitters, especially Howton and Davis who responded to their opportunities.
“Lauren’s been a strong hitter,” she said. “She knows her importance, and she’s getting consistent. McKenzie was on. Tenacity is one of her most consistent characteristics.”
The coach also liked the way setters Camryn Courtney and Rye matched up hitters to blockers.
“Camryn has always been a defensive specialist,” she said. “I transitioned her to a setter. They made good choices.”
Shipley noted that Llano revealed some areas the Lady Dawgs can improve, noting the number of aces Palmares served and the pace of the match wasn’t where she wanted it.
“It was good for us to see that,” she said. “There’s a loss of confidence for other teams when we get into transition and hit quickly.”
The Burnet junior varsity and freshmen also won.
Burnet travels to Wimberley, 100 Carney Lane, Friday, Sept. 2. Subvarsities play at 5:30 and the varsity follows.
“Each team has shown so much growth every week and are so fun to watch,” Shipley said. “We are proud of all of our girls and their work ethic and incredible attitudes.”
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STATISTICS
Burnet
Kills – MaeSyn Gay 15, McKenzie Davis 10, Lauren Howton 10, Zaria Solis 3, Samantha Gaylord 2, Camryn Courtney 2; aces – Courtney 3, Reagan Shipley 1, Lainey Rye 1; assists – Courtney 18, Rye 17, Addie Grace Hernandez 1, Gay 1, Shipley 1; digs – Hernandez 8, Gay 6, Davis 4, Shipley 4, Rye 3, Courtney 3, Addie Houston 2, Howton 1, Gaylord 1, Laney Huffman 1; blocks – Solis 3, Gay 2, Huffman 1, Davis 1.
