Canyon Randall again ends Aledo's season

By David Thomas

dthomas@star-telegram.com

ABILENE -- These Aledo-Canyon Randall matches just keep getting better. If only for the Aledo Ladycats the results would get better.

In an emotionally-charged match, Randall came from behind after the third set then again in the fifth game to defeat Aledo 25-14, 20-25, 21-25, 25-17, 15-9 in the Class 4A Region I semifinals at McMurry University.

It marked the fourth time in five seasons Randall has defeated Aledo in the regional tournament.

Randall (41-3) dominated the first game, scoring the first four points en route to a 13-2 lead. But Aledo (41-7) came back to win the second and third games and move within one set of a trip to the regional finals.

The Lady Raiders jumped to an early lead in the fourth game and kept the Ladycats at arm's length to force a fifth game.

In the deciding game, Aledo's Sara Smith served for the first four points, including two aces. After the teams exchanged points for a 5-1 Ladycats lead, Randall ran off seven consecutive points.

Kills by Raygan McLelland and Briana Sharratt pulled Aledo to within 8-7. Randall, though, scored the next three points for a 11-7 lead and closed out the match at 15-9.

"I think we created too many errors for ourselves," Aledo coach Kathy Goings said. "We basically gave the last game away."

The loss ended the Ladycats' season at the regional tournament for the sixth time in seven years.

David Thomas, 817-390-7697

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