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PREVIEW: Celina Hunts for a 3-Peat
Securing their second-consecutive state title to round out their season last year was just one of the highlights of Celina Athletics. With powerful athletes in every sport, the Celina Lady Bobcats soccer team continued strong and look to keep a hot streak going as they enter another season. VYPE DFW takes a look at what fans can expect from this squad:
Rewind
Undefeated on the season, Celina posted a 29-0 overall record while outscoring their opponents by a combined nearly 200 goals on the season. Through non-district play, the team towered over Mabank, Kilgore, McKinney, North Forney, Longview, Centennial, Ursuline, Lewisville, and more as they sharpened their claws to take on their district opponents. Once in district play, the Lady Bobcats finished with a 10-0 record at the top of their standings after taking down Anna, Frisco Panther Creek, Farmersville, Bonham, and more en route to the playoffs.
Unscathed and ready for any challenge, it wasn't long before Celina got the opportunity to put their ability to the truest test-- on the biggest stage in high school soccer. The team allowed only three goals against them in the playoffs as they defeated Community (8-0), Dallas Pinkston (7-0), Mabank (4-1), Jacksonville (5-0), Anna (6-1), Boerne (2-0), and eventually Stephenville (8-1) in the UIL Class 4A Girls Soccer State Title match.
This Season
A young squad last season with a handful of seniors graduating, Celina is returning a large chunk of their phenomenal athletes this season. Looking for their fourth state tournament in four seasons, the Lady Bobcats are made up of the likes of Kaitlyn Gustofson, Emme Norman, Sammy Quiroz, Claire Flowers, Makenna Brantley, Ella Norman, Grace Pritchard, Ryleigh Stifflemire, Brookelyn Babb, Ashton Lowry, and others. With excellent leadership, the team can be expected to build up all of the newcomers and begin their campaign toward another successful season.
This season, the team begins their schedule just after the new year as they take on Jacksonville followed by brand-new Prosper Walnut Grove. Continuing on against the likes of Grapevine, Stephenville, Rockwall-Heath, McKinney Boyd, and more, there's no doubt that this team is going up against some of the best teams in the area in order to prepare for their season and post another dominant district schedule. In district play, the team will once again face off against Bonham, Aubrey, Pilot Point, Gainesville, and more as they look for a three-peat! Catch this squad in action.
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Celina geared up to battle Davenport
After missing the state tournament last year, Celina is back for their second tournament appearance. The Lady Bobcats have put forth the amount of effort necessary to be not only one of the best 4A volleyball teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but one of the best in the entire state. VYPE DFW takes a look at Celina's road to state and what fans can expect out of this Thursday semifinal pairing with Comal Davenport.
Regular Season Play
With only eight losses this season, Celina has been working hard to make it back to the stage they were on just two seasons ago in the program's first-ever state tournament appearance (2021). After not making it to this stage last year, Celina knew they were hungry for more and entered the season with four consecutive victories over Ponder, Lubbock Cooper, Chisholm Trail, and Lake Worth. Continuing to battle through non-district play, the Lady Bobcats sharpened their skills against tough opponents like Sunnyvale, Trinity Christian Academy - Addison, Denton, Springtown, North Lamar, and more. The team even faced off against reigning 3A state champion, Gunter-- who is on their own quest for another state title this season. Finishing non-district play strong, Celina was powered up and ready for district play.
Through district play, Celina dropped only one match-- a hard-fought 3-1 showdown against Aubrey. Aside from their loss, the team utilized strong athletes like Morgan Kelley, Kinley Hammons, McKenna Paulson, Landry Graf, Ryan McCoy, Ashley Woodrum, Kinsey Murray, Reagan Radtke, Aubrey Lamber, and more in statement victories over the likes of Anna, Panther Creek, Ranchview, Van Alstyne, and more to finish at the top of their district standings with a 10-1 district record.
Playoffs So Far
So far in the playoffs, Celina has shut out four of their five opponents. Defeating Dallas Hampton Prep, Ferris, Van Alstyne, and Lindale, the Lady Bobcats geared up for a revenge match against Aubrey. Working hard and showcasing talent on the court, the team pulled off a 3-1 victory in sets over Aubrey to advance to this season's UIL Class 4A Volleyball State Semifinal match against Comal Davenport. Up to this point, the team has remained strong with impressive plays and has outscored their opponents by a combined 95-37 sets this season.
What To Expect
Celina has a fire in their heart and the right amount of determination to succeed in the semifinals this season and only one team stands in their way of punching their ticket to the state finals-- Comal Davenport (45-5, 12-0). Davenport has had an incredible season with an undefeated district run and statement victories of their own. The Lady Bobcats are going to want to keep a watchful eye on Davenport's top athletes like Talan Dodson, Ashtan Dodson, Alexis Dahl, Emily Williams, Ryan Kovacs, Ophelia Murphy, and more this Thursday on the court in the program's first-ever state tournament appearance.
Lady Bobcat fans can expect this team to bring the action and put in great plays against their opponents. This match can be expected to be highly physical with great game IQ from both sides of the net. Be sure you catch all the action. The game is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.