Bell, Trinity volleyball hit rough patch in 7-6A play

Say this for the combined 0-4 results the L.D. Bell and Trinity volleyball teams have had to deal with over the last week. At least the toughest part of the first run through the District 7-6A schedule appears to be behind them.

All four losses came to teams that finished ahead of Bell and Trinity a year ago in the district playoff chase.

After starting district play with back-to-back wins over Bell and at Richland, Trinity (22-10, 2-2 District 7-6A) fell twice in its two most recent matches, in three sets at Southlake Carroll (19-25, 10-25, 16-25) and in four sets at Colleyville Heritage (25-18, 20-25, 21-25, 24-26). Carroll is the No. 1 ranked volleyball team in Class 6A according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association poll.

Despite the losses, junior Elli Merchant had 11 kills, three blocks and 25 digs against Heritage. Junior defensive specialist Amanda McDowell also had 25 digs, while setter Margaret Dean helped out with 11 digs and 23 assists.

Against Carroll, senior outside hitter Zoe Howard led the Lady Trojans with six kills, while McDowell came up with 11 digs defensively.

For Bell (12-20, 0-4), the two losses this week extends the current streak to seven consecutive matches as the Lady Raiders also found themselves at the wrong end of a match-up with a state power. Coppell, ranked No. 14 in Class 6A, beat the Lady Raiders last Friday in three (21-25, 10-25, 10-25) after Bell went down to the same Heritage squad in four (26-24, 13-25, 17-25, 13-25) earlier in the week.

Against Heritage, Allison Barton led the Lady Raiders by notching a double-double with 15 kills and 13 digs, while libero Bella Burns led the defense with 21 digs. Setter Sophie Rodgers had 27 assists.

Barton and outside hitter Sidra Triplett had eight kills apiece in the loss to Coppell.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Bell, Trinity volleyball hit rough patch in 7-6A play."