VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS: PNG shakes off Crosby; Santa Fe next

Published 10:14 pm Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Port Neches-Groves nearly swept its 15th opponent in the last 17 matches, but the victory was all the Rock-A-Noos were after.

“Staying focused for three straight games is tough when your opponent is just as tough,” PNG coach Barbara Comeaux said.

Crosby, the fourth seed from District 21-6A, denied 22-5A champion PNG the third-set victory, but the Rock-A-Noos came from a fourth-set deficit to seal Tuesday’s 5A bi-district round victory in the UIL playoffs at Goose Creek Memorial High in Baytown. The scores were 25-23, 25-12, 20-25, 25-22.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

“Crosby, in our district, probably would beat most teams,” Comeaux said. “That being said, they play in a very strong district. They see us, and we have a lot of offense.”

PNG (29-5) will take on Santa Fe in the next round, with details to be announced Wednesday.

The offense came through when it mattered most, and so did the defense.

Kaitlyn Gil totaled 25 kills and had 18 digs to lead the Rock-A-Noos who have won 17 straight, including a 14-0 district run. Rachel Hammersmith gave PNG 26 assists and served 11 points.

PNG dominated the second set after a close first, but Crosby built its own momentum in the third and had PNG down 20-15 in set 4. That’s how close the Cougars came to forcing set 5.

“We were just hanging in there,” Comeaux said. “It doesn’t take a whole lot to change the momentum.”

Libbie LeJeune served 18 points, dug 12 and killed 13, Layla Stansbury served 10, Bayja Newby dug 20, and Baylee Priddy dug 11.

Kingwood Park 3, Nederland 0

At Kingwood Park, the Bulldogs (19-14) fought the Panthers closely the final two sets before the host team pulled away to wrap up a 25-15, 25-18, 25-16 win in the 5A bi-district round.

“Overall, they were really great games after we got our nerves out in set one,” first-year Nederland coach Allie Crommett said via text.

“Worked our way back from an 8-1 hole in set two. We stayed within 3-4 points with them for the most part in the last two sets until the very end. I’m really proud of them.”

Abbey Montalvo had 12 assists and seven digs, and Peyton Smith finished with 10 digs to lead Nederland. Karley McGill added five kills and two blocks, and Meg Sheppard had three kills.

About I.C. Murrell

I.C. Murrell was promoted to editor of The News, effective Oct. 14, 2019. He previously served as sports editor since August 2015 and has won or shared eight first-place awards from state newspaper associations and corporations. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, grew up mostly in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

email author More by I.C.