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VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS: Seven Lakes powers past Dawson, 3-0, advance to Region III-6A Final
SUGAR LAND - Three years ago Seven Lakes made history marching into the Regional Final for the first time ever.
The lone player still on the roster today from that team – Ally Batenhorst.
The Under Armour All-American and her now fellow seniors have gotten the Spartans back within a win of the UIL State Tournament following a 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-22) victory over Pearland Dawson on Monday at Wheeler Fieldhouse.
"Freshman year I was obviously the youngest and I was looking up to a bunch of people," Ally said. "My older sister (Danielle) was a great leader to me and I think now being a senior I think I'm in the same position she was and I learned from her in that way. I'm more of a leader now for the team instead of a follower."
IT'S AN ACE!!!! @7LakesVBnews is heading to the Regional Finals for the first time since 2017. Seven Lakes wins 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-22) to advance. #txhsvb @allybatenhorstt @caseyybate @Mayowaolibale @katyisd @KatyISDAthletic @HTownHSS pic.twitter.com/tODgSl5tz5
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) December 1, 2020
Dawson (23-3) was in its fourth-straight Regional Semifinal and will graduate just four seniors – Madison Petten, Alexia Jones (Houston Baptist), Chelsea Sanker and Kylie Nance – as they head into 2021.
Pearland Dawson was a program that lost 10 seniors off last year's team and despite that, an unprecedented offseason and an unconventional non-district slate, still reached the fourth round.
"I am extremely proud of them for persevering and fighting through," Pearland Dawson coach Lauren Leth said. "I was very proud of them. We will miss our [current] seniors but we are very excited about our returning talent. Because even our juniors we had playing this year were new to varsity. There's a lot of youth on that team, so we're excited to see what they're going to do next year."
Seven Lakes improves to a remarkable 24-1 and have won five-straight matches losing just one set in that streak.
The Spartans advance to the Region III-6A Championship later this week where they will face either Katy or Clear Springs, who play on Tuesday.
"It's a great feeling and a huge accomplishment," Seven Lakes coach Amy Cataline said. "We have so many great teams in our region. To be one of the last ones standing is super special. It's just a testament to the talent, work ethic and commitment all these girls have."
VYPE Postgame: @7LakesVBnews senior @kaileycbickel talks with VYPE. She had the final Ace of the match. One of 10 seniors on team. #txhsvb @katyisd @KatyISDAthletic @caseyybate @Mayowaolibale @allybatenhorstt pic.twitter.com/QYuFI8ehI2
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) December 1, 2020
This Seven Lakes senior class is locked, loaded and motivated.
With 10 seniors, that is an impressive class for any coach to carry on the roster and they were all freshmen when Seven Lakes last made a run to the Regional Finals and eventually to the 2017 UIL State Volleyball Tournament.
"They were all here and so they want to do what they saw all those upperclassmen do," Cataline said.
When Seven Lakes lost in the area round to Cy-Fair a year ago, Mayo Olibale said the then-juniors started talking about their goals for 2020 - their last season.
"We were just like 'it's our last year, we want to go out with a bang'," Olibale, a Harvard-signee, said. "We want to leave a good legacy and be leaving on a good note. We've been talking about this since the last game we had last season."
VYPE Postgame: @7LakesVBnews senior and @harvardwvball signee @Mayowaolibale talks after the big win for the Spartans. #txhsvb @KatyISDAthletic @katyisd @caseyybate @allybatenhorstt @HTownHSS @KPRC2RandyMc @alexradow pic.twitter.com/th2ljkhOfA
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) December 1, 2020
For libero Kailey Bickel, who had the final ace of Monday's 3-0 win over Pearland Dawson, said she knew this group was special back in January during the offseason.
"We knew with 10 seniors, great starting lineup, great followers, just a great team," the Berry College-commit said. "We knew all together we need to leave it as strong as we can."
For SMU-commit Casey Batenhorst her memory of the last time Seven Lakes reached the Regional Final and eventual State Tournament came from the stands. Casey was just an eighth grader at the time watching older sisters Danielle and Ally play.
Casey remembers the heart and intensity of that team and watching that team made her love volleyball even that much more.
"The game against Ridge Point [in the third round in 2017] made me love volleyball," Casey said. "I just wanted to be there with them."
VYPE Postgame: Caught up with junior @caseyybate after the win. She has well over 800 assists for the season now. Was an 8th grader last time @7LakesVBnews was in Regional Final. #txhsvb @allybatenhorstt @KatyISDAthletic @Mayowaolibale @kaileycbickel pic.twitter.com/4ynkT3wRJt
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) December 1, 2020
And now she is.
As Cataline paces the sideline with her clipboard watching, the coach is just soaking in every moment with this senior class.
"I just can't wait to see them on the court again, they just want it so bad," she said about the team. "They're just playing at a different level right now because they want it so bad."
VYPE Postgame: Caught up with @Huskervball signee @allybatenhorstt to talk the win and being in Regional Final for first time since she was a freshman. 2nd Regional Final for her. #txhsvb @LJSSportsWagner @7LakesVBnews @SusanBatenhorst @caseyybate @Mayowaolibale @KPRC2RandyMc pic.twitter.com/WmIYqdRcFC
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) December 1, 2020
The 2019 Lovejoy Leopards celebrate the program's 7th state title.
Four Dallas-area Teams with the best shot at winning a UIL 2020-2021 Volleyball State Championship Title
2A - Crawford (33-3, 14-0, 91.2% win percentage)
Crawford won the 2A 2019 UIL Volleyball State title after a clean sweep over Jewett Leon (25-19, 25-20, 25-20). During this unprecedented 2020 season, the Pirates have proven that they are as strong as ever. Crawford posted an undefeated district record of 14-0 with an overall record of 33-3. According to MaxPreps, the Pirates are currently ranked No. 3 in the Texas Conference 2A rankings behind No. 2 Iola (13-1) and No. 1 Beckville (30-2). Crawford is coming off of a hard-fought 3-1 win over Bremond. The Pirates are looking ahead towards what could be their second straight state title.
4A - Kennedale (23-3, 4-0, 88.5% win percentage)
Kennedale entered the 2020 season strong against a series of non-district matchups only losing three times before district play. In district play, the Wildcats showed their grit as they defeated all of their opponents to post an undefeated 4-0 district schedule with a 23-3 overall record. Ranked as the No. 15 team in Texas Conference 4A, Kennedale might just be fighting to prove that they have what it takes after losing in the semifinal round in the 2019 state tournament. In 2019, the Wildcats lost to Lamar Fulshear (25-14, 25-11, 25-20) who went on to claim the state title. With nothing to lose, Kennedale just might have the chip on their shoulder that it takes to come out of 2020's state tournament with a title to call their own.
4A Decatur (29-1, 11-0, 96.7% win percentage)
Don't look at Texas 4A volleyball and sleep on the Decatur Eagles. After narrowly missing the 2019 UIL State tournament, the Eagles came into the 2020 season ready to prove that they are Texas tested and Texas approved. Losing only one match the entire season, the Eagles posted an undefeated 11-0 district record with a 29-1 overall record and have shown no signs of slowing down. Coming off of a great 3-1 victory over Canyon, Decatur is looking forward to showing that they have exactly what it takes to compete with the best in the state and earn their shot at another state title to take home; that's right, Decatur is already home to two 4A state titles (2018, 2014) and one 3A state title (2013). Not only is Decatur currently ranked No. 1 in Texas Conference 4A (according to MaxPreps), but they're listed as No. 1 in Region I as well as the entire state.
5A Lucas Lovejoy (16-0, 13-0, 99.5% win percentage)
The state tournament for Texas Conference 5A is looking like it's going to be Lucas Lovejoy's to lose as the reigning 5A state champions have spent all season proving why they have the title in the first place. Lovejoy has posted a completely undefeated record throughout the entire season; 16-0 overall and 13-0 in the district. Already matching up against some of the strongest competitors in their area. In 16 matches, the Lovejoy Leopards have only lost one set. After defeating Canyon Randall (27-25, 25-17, 25-15) in the 2019 state championship game, Lucas Lovejoy is looking like they are seriously strong contenders for the 2020 state title. The Leopards are ranked No. 1 in Texas Conference 5A ahead of No. 2 Flour Bluff (15-0) and No. 3 Denton (14-1).