Lady Panthers, Mustangs renew district rivalry

Now, it means something again.

Tuesday’s District 8-5A volleyball matchup between Colleyville Heritage (24-8, 5-0) and Grapevine (24-12, 5-0) at Colleyville Heritage represented a return to the “real” stuff of the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD rivalry.

This is the first meeting between the two schools in a competitive environment where something else other than bragging rights were at stake in two years. Colleyville Heritage dropped from Class 6A to 5A and moved into the district with Grapevine following the UIL’s realignment in February.

The class teams of this district really played the first of two matches that will decide the championship. No one else is in realistic contention. Neither Grapevine nor Colleyville Heritage had lost a game through the first five matches. Well, someone was going to lose three games on Tuesday.

While the atmosphere didn’t carry the energy for the first five district matches, Tuesday and Oct. 21 at Grapevine will be remarkably different.

“I understood that when we got ready to play Texas,” said Colleyville Heritage coach Bri Barker-Groth, who played in college at Oklahoma. “When you come into that week, you’re really excited. But our coaches always showed a cool, calm and normal approach. We didn’t talk extra for Texas. That’s what we’re doing with these matches.”

The unique part of this is that both programs feature new coaches. Barker-Groth is in her first year at Colleyville Heritage. Grapevine’s Whitney Woody is also in her first year. Woody appreciates the rivalry as both a former Lady Mustangs player and a coach.

Typically, there are two types of players a defining match provides. There are those who are better and play more calm in stress-filled environments. There are others who want to rise to the occasion. Colleyville Heritage has shown that as it has already surpassed its 2015 win total.

“For us it holds meaning,” Woody said. “It’s a district rival, we’re pushing for the 6-0 record. But at the end of the day we know it is about us growing together as a team and playing together to strengthen as a unit. It means a lot because it is an opportunity for our team to continue in our journey to become an unstoppable force.”

For each, it’s going to come down to the best players playing like they’re the best players. Colleyville Heritage has had strong efforts from its captains, senior outside hitter Jordan Lackey, junior outside hitter Lauren Evans and senior libero Tatum Ticknor.

Grapevine is seeing senior outside hitter Jordan McCalla, sophomore outside hitter Symone Wesley and sophomore middle blocker Nicole Buhr play at higher levels.

The first half of the district season ends on Friday. Colleyville Heritage plays host to Fort Worth Eastern Hills. Grapevine plays host to Fort Worth Dunbar.

Carroll update

The Lady Dragons (30-5, 5-0 District 5-6A) breezed through their week last week with wins against Flower Mound Marcus and Flower Mound. As expected, Carroll was a little flat in its Sept. 20 match with the Lady Marauders following the emotional win against Lewisville Hebron.

Carroll, which is in sole position of first place, met the two other teams in postseason contention this week. It played at Northwest Byron Nelson on Tuesday and plays host to Euless Trinity on Friday.

As for injuries, senior outside hitter Mellanie King (ankle) was expected to try and play Tuesday. Senior setter Sheridan Webb (concussion) has been released to do non-contact work. It may take another week for her to return to live action, head coach Ryan Mitchell said.

This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Lady Panthers, Mustangs renew district rivalry."