Pearland Lady Oilers
The Pearland Lady Oilers volleyball team finished 4th out of 32 of the top teams from across the state at the 2015 Circle of Champions Tournament. The only losses in the tournament were to South Lake Carroll (No. 3 state-ranked) in the semifinals and to Lovejoy (No. 6 state-ranked) in the third place match.
The Lady Oilers went in seeded 12th in the tournament but surprised everyone with incredible defense and team work to finish fourth overall.
The Oilers were led by Junior, Brooke Botkin (named to the All-Tournament Team) with 90 kills; 68 digs; 6 aces; and 4 blocks.
Senior, Hannah Ofczarzak (OH) finished with 69 kills; 11 digs; 1 block. Senior, Caroline Shecterle (Setter) had 172 assists; 60 digs; 5 aces; 1 block. Senior, Amanda Chapa (libero) had 86 digs; 4 aces; and a passing ratio of 2.05.
Junior, Samantha Costello (MB) had 29 kills and 8 blocks. Senior, Kylie Napoleon (DS) had 40 digs and 6 aces. Senior, Kaleigh Laitkep (DS) had 26 digs and 7 aces. The Oilers are currently 14-5 on the season and ranked #7 in the state.
The Lady Oilers sent a clear message with their strong showing in Plano with 13 of the top 25 state ranked teams competing over two days and eight matches.
Pearland defeated Keller: 25-23, 25-22; Pearland defeated JJ Pearce: 25-17, 25-21; Pearland lost to Lovejoy: 18-25, 25-20, 18-25; Pearland defeated Lake Highlands: 25-12, 25-20; Pearland defeated Plano: 25-23, 25-23; Pearland defeated Amarillo: 25-18, 25-20; Pearland lost in the semi's to South Lake Carroll: 17-25, 18-25; and Pearland lost in the third place match to Lovejoy: 17-25, 17-25.
"I am so proud of my players with the great composure they kept throughout the tournament staying focused on each match at a tie and adjusting to different strategies for each team that we played," said head coach John Turner. " I thought Caroline Shecterle had an amazing tournament setting for us in a 5-1 offense. She might give up some height on the front line standing only 5'6" when blocking, but she has the heart of a lion with her leadership skills on the court running this team as its setter.
Our amazing defensive players on back row put on a clinic with spectacular digs throughout the tournament led by Amanda Chapa, Brooke Botkin, Kylie Napoleon, Caroline Shecterle, and Kaleigh Laitkep with 280 total digs as a team. This tournament has helped us raise our level of play so that we enter district play prepared for each team."
Friendswood Lady Mustangs
Friendswood 2, Austin Hyde Park 0
Friendswood opened its day at the Leander ISD Volleypalooza tournament with a 25-21, 25-11 win over Hyde Park. Shannon Murphy had 12 kills, and Sarah Thomas served up 16 assists.
Friendswood 2, Wimberley 0
The Friendswood Lady Mustangs dominated Class 4A power Wimberley at the Volleypalooza tournament winning 25-12, 25-13. Shannon Murphy led the Friendswood offense with 11 kills and seven aces. Sarah Thomas had 14 assists. Olivia Sykes led the defense with seven digs.
Friendswood 2, Cedar Park 1
Friendswood notched a hard-fought victory over Cedar Park on Thursday at the Volleypalooza tournament, winning 25-21, 21-25, 25-14. Shannon Murphy had a standout performance for the Lady Mustangs with 23 kills and 21 digs. Olivia Sykes also had 21 digs. Kelly Colwell added 13 kills, and Sarah Thomas had 44 assists.
Woodway Midway 2, Friendswood 0
Friendswood opened the final day of the Volleypalooza tournament on Saturday with a tough 22-25, 22-25 loss to Midway. Shannon Murphy had 12 kills, and Sarah Thomas had 23 assists to lead Friendswood.
Amarillo Randall 2, Friendswood 0
Friendswood Lady Mustangs ended their run at the Volleypalooza tournament with their second loss of the day on Saturday, falling to Randall 21-25, 28-30.
Kelly Colwell led the Friendswood offense with 11 kills, and Olivia Sykes had 10 digs on defense.
Friendswood finished the tournament fifth out of 48 total teams.
