Lady Panthers keep up grueling schedule

Colleyville Heritage’s volleyball program is not coming up for air anytime soon.

Following the grueling tournament trek through Pearland, Northwest and Plano, coach Bri Barker-Groth’s team isn’t enjoying any soft spots in the schedule. On Tuesday, the Lady Panthers (17-8) traveled to traditional power Richardson Pearce. On Friday, they play host to one of the top programs in Class 5A, Aledo.

Maybe a veteran team would have just shrugged its shoulders as it went from one match to the next. But Colleyville Heritage isn’t a veteran team. The roster carries eight seniors.

Of course, this isn’t the schedule Barker-Groth created. She inherited it.

“I probably wouldn’t have had it as top heavy as it is,” she said. “But on the other hand, I do like it, because this is what the playoffs are going to be like. You are going to have to be mentally tough.”

The Lady Panthers went 4-3 in the PSA tournament in Plano. There were solid performances from Lauren Evans, Jordan Lackey and in the middle from Brooklyn Blalock and Alena Watson.

Once Colleyville Heritage gets through this week, there will be that chance to breathe. The team will play on Sept. 6, followed by a bye.

“We’re a pretty good serving and passing team,” Barker-Groth said. “What we’re not doing is hitting well. A lot of what we’re doing is caused by us.”

Carroll (23-5): Being the bridesmaid at these August tournaments isn’t what head coach Ryan Mitchell wants. But if the tradeoff means that his team will be better for it come postseason time, then he will accept it.

Following what he called a very productive week, the Lady Dragons finished third at the PSA tournament in Plano. They lost to fellow 5-6A opponent and defending state champion Lewisville Hebron in the tournament semifinals.

Carroll faced Mitchell’s former program, Lucas Lovejoy, on Tuesday. The Lady Dragons then had a bye on Friday. Carroll could have faced Lovejoy for the third-place game on Saturday. But since the two were meeting on Tuesday, the coaches decided it would be better to wait.

“The good thing is that we faced a team similar in size to us in the tournament in Plano West,” Mitchell said. “I thought the match against Hebron was really good. They just outplayed us a little.”

For the second consecutive week, Mitchell played it cautious with senior outside hitter Haley Hallgren (abdominal strain). Hallgren was at 80 percent but was kept at libero. Mitchell plans to make it a third week.

“I just want to play it safe with Haley,” Mitchell said. “The good thing is that we’re going to give the girls three days off because they have been going pretty hard. I could have filled that Friday. But this was time to wait.”

District 5-6A play begins Sept. 9.

Grapevine (17-9): The Lady Mustangs finished play at the PSA tournament in Plano and went 3-4. But the schedule is as tough this week as it has been. The Lady Mustangs played at Decatur on Tuesday before playing host to Coppell on Friday. Sophomore right side Nicole Buhr went down to a sprained right ankle. Head coach Whitney Woody said Buhr is not expected to return until district play when that starts Sept. 9 against Fort Worth Eastern Hills. Georgia Neill (ankle) is expected for next Tuesday against Keller. Savannah Kjolhede (ankle) was likely returning for the Decatur match.

This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Lady Panthers keep up grueling schedule."