McCallum stays perfect as Knights barrel into volleyball postseason
For those who argue perfection doesn’t exist, McCallum would beg to differ.
The Knights completed an unblemished 16-0 run through District 24-5A with a 25-20, 25-19, 25-12 sweep of Ann Richards on Tuesday at McCallum High School in what was essentially the district title match.
The Stars entered the contest with only one district loss — to the Knights in the first matchup between the teams — but McCallum had the better run of play through the entire night to complete its perfect district slate.
“It’s a great feeling and it’s kind of a buildup of our four years here,” said McCallum middle and outside hitter Kate Shackelford, one of 11 seniors on the team. “It’s a great way to go out on the regular season and it’s amazing as the seniors all got here together.”
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Knights outside hitter Jette Morris caused Ann Richards problems all night, as the 6-foot-2 senior slammed 11 kills and was a force at the net for McCallum simply with her presence. She played a part in two of the team’s seven blocks, though forced the Stars into multiple tips, and noted the Knights as a whole were locked-in the entire match.
“We had a very steady focus tonight, and it was very enjoyable to be in that space and execute and play how we know how to play,” she said. “We’ve worked together and worked so hard for so many hours, that it feels great to pay off in this way — especially with this group of girls.”
With Shackelford, Morris, Greta Carlson and Vaughn Vandegrift, McCallum (27-13) easily had the size advantage over an Ann Richards team with one player taller than 5-9, but the Stars’ scrappiness and athleticism kept them in the match.
Alondra Garcia served four straight aces and Isobel Ryther and Aiyanna Espinoza combined for three other perfect serves to bring the Stars within 19-18 late in the first set. However, the Knights pulled away down the stretch behind kills from Vandegrift and Morris and an ace by Catalina Flores.
Morris fired five of her kills during the second set as McCallum never trailed after taking a 3-2 lead, and the hosts went on a 15-3 run to close out the match in the third frame.
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“It means a lot to walk out of here with a win in what was maybe our last home game,” said senior setter Teasia Cooks, who served five aces and was brilliant at times running the Knights offense with 15 assists. “This team really talks and has good communication, has good relationships both on and off the court — and that makes us play better as a team. It’s special to go undefeated.”
Allison Rosholt’s 20 digs led the McCallum defense, with Vandegrift finishing with five kills and three blocks and both Shackelford and Rylee Hissey knocking down four shots.
Talia Tamez ripped seven kills to pace Ann Richards (20-18, 14-2), which will go into the playoffs as the district’s No. 2 seed and face East View.
The Knights will open the postseason against Pflugerville, but for Tuesday there was an appreciation of the perfect district performance they’ve had the last two months.
“This was one of our goals,” McCallum coach Amy Brodbeck said. “We wanted to win the district, but we also wanted to go undefeated. … Ann Richards is a good team and to sweep them tonight is pretty impressive. Our girls have been superb all season long whether it’s been tournaments or district play, and I’m just excited about what we’ve done.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: McCallum volleyball sweeps Ann Richards, finish district perfect
