With a 3-0 sweep over Irving volleyball, the Richardson Lady Eagles have clenched a shared No. 1 spot in their district. Richardson Volleyball is the District 7-6A co-champions alongside Lake Highlands in what has proven to be a history-setting season for the Lady Eagles. The first-place finish marks the team's first district title since 1998.
Going 10-2 in district play, Richardson defeated the likes of Richardson Berkner, Irving MacArthur, Richardson J.J. Pearce, Irving Nimitz, and more en route to their co-first-place finish. Of their 10 district wins, nine were sweeps. Overall on the season, Richardson posted a 30-9 record for their first 30-game win season in school history.
Leading in attacking for the Lady Eagles is senior outside hitter Alaina Armstrong. Armstrong has posted 298 kills in 102 sets played. Armstrong has also recorded 247 digs, 31 total blocks (22 assisted and two solo), as well as 42 aces with 171 service points. Leading in serving for the Lady Eagles is sophomore setter Abigail Fender who has tallied 79 aces with 331 service points. Fender has also accounted for seven block assists, 211 digs, and 27 kills. Leading in digging for Richardson is junior libero Brooke Rifkin. Rifkin has accounted for 330 digs while also totalling two kills and 36 aces for 186 service points. Leading in blocking for Richardson is junior middle blocker Rita Araya. Araya has tallied 79 blocks (seven solo and 72 assisted), 76 digs, 26 aces, 156 service points, and 157 kills.
A Dominant History: Southlake Carroll XC advances to the UIL State meet in an impressive streak
The Southlake Carroll boys and girls cross country team ran in the UIL Region 1-6A Championships last week in Lubbock where they both posted great races. Both teams posted incredible runs in order to qualify for the UIL State Cross Country Meet on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6th in Round Rock, Texas.
Second-to-none
Congratulations to our Boys for winning the Region 1-6a meet today. This is our 12th consecutive trip to State! pic.twitter.com/2sU4Nhqpin
— Carroll XC (@CarrollCXC) October 25, 2021
The Dragons' boys cross country team was led by junior runner David Fisher (finished 6th overall with a 15:55 time), junior runner Robert Freeman (finished 9th overall with a 16:03 time), and junior Tyler Ortiz (finished 18th overall with a 16:19 time) to win the Region 1-6A meet for the fourth consecutive year. With their first-place finish, the Dragons will race in the State Championships for the 12th year in a row.
Should the Dragons go on to win the state title, Southlake Carroll will have harnessed their third-straight state title in cross country.
Silver Anniversary Trip
Congratulations to our Girls for placing 2nd today at the Region 1-6a meet. This is our 25th consecutive trip to State! pic.twitter.com/2nCe6T8Kkq
— Carroll XC (@CarrollCXC) October 25, 2021
The Lady Dragons finished in second place during the Region 1-6A Regional finals. Southlake Carroll girls cross country was led by senior runner Kaylie Cox who finished in 9th place with a 18:45 time. Junior Ava Bushaw finished in 10th with a time of 18:58 and sophomore Sylvia Schwedler finished in 13th with a time of 19:15.
The Lady Dragon runners' second-place finish at the regional finals, Southlake Carroll girls cross country qualified for the State Championship meet for the 25th consecutive season.
Gabby Johnson, FB Austin
ENTERING HER SECOND YEAR AS HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH AT FORT BEND AUSTIN, KRISTIN GOODMAN ONLY HAS FOUR RETURNERS. NOT EXACTLY IDEAL.
Goodman has to work new faces into the lineup after not being able to implement as much of her culture or philosophy that she desired last year because of COVID-19.
Fortunately, one of those returners is versatile senior middle Gabby Johnson, a three- year letterman who gives Goodman an impact player to build around.
"She is our powerhouse," Goodman said. "Our middle who can do everything. I'm not even afraid of playing her in the back row because she's that dependable."
Johnson is excited for this season. She said Goodman brings much-welcomed stability to a program on its fifth coach in six years. Goodman has a different vibe, spirit and energy, Johnson said, then previous coaches.
Johnson is hungry to bring the storied Bulldogs' program back to prominence, and she's confident that will happen because of solid team chemistry.
"I'm with my old team that I played with my freshman year, so we're all together again," Johnson said. "It's going to be fun."
Johnson is an improved player, which is saying something because she was a formidable force to begin with. She totaled 182 kills and 59 blocks last season on the way to being named to the District 20-6A first team, and so far has 107 kills and 44 blocks in 41 sets this season.
Because the Bulldogs don't have the hitting prowess they have had in the past, Johnson feels she will be used more in the front row. Her defense has gotten better as well and hopes to be a bigger leader in 2021.
"I just want to see more of a leadership role out of myself, being an older sister to the younger players," Johnson said.
Johnson recently verbally committed to Tennessee State. She has been buoyed by the prospect of playing at the next level, but she will never lack motivation or inspiration.
If she does, all she has to do is glance into the crowd at her four sisters and parents, cheering her on every move and encouraging her to keep on keeping on.
"They hype me up and are always in my corner," Johnson said. "That really gets me going. That makes me want to work harder and keep pushing."
This story appeared in the Inaugural VYPE Fort Bend ISD Fall Edition, which is now available to pick up at your local Fort Bend ISD High Schools.
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