TEMPLE, Texas – The Leopards Volleyball team wrapped up this tournament season hosting the CenTex Invitational over this weekend. The ladies came out hard and logged a 3-1 record, taking their overall record to 6-10.
In the first match of the tournament, the Leopards defeated Texas Christian College 3-0 (25-4, 25-6, 25-14). The Leopards recorded 11 aces on the match being led by our Leopard of the Match Brianna Stovall with 9. As a team, the Leopards hit over .400 hitting efficacy; with 3 players recording 7 kills at over .300 (Xaria Pickett, Hailey Harris, and Sabrina Tuerck). Other notable stats leaders included Justice Isom (23 assist) and Sidnie Smith (7 digs) and Grace Williamson (4 blocks).
Concluding Day One, the Leopard out inched the Western Texas Westerners 4-1 (25-22, 9-25, 25-21, 25-23). Earning Kill Leader, Xaria Pickett racked in 14 kills with a hitting efficacy of .214. Xaria also added 14 digs, giving her the 3rd double double of the season. Complimenting the hitter, Justice Isom recorded a double double with 22 assists and 13 digs. Other notable stats leaders included Brianna Stovall (25 digs) and Grace Williamson (5 blocks).
The Leopards kicked off Day 2 with a 4-1 win against Brookhaven Bears (17-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-19). Return strong from Covid, Sabrina Tuerck earned Leopard of the Match while logging 5 blocks, 9 kills, and .300 efficacy. Recording yet another Double Double, Xaria Picket recorded 10 kills, 10 digs, and 2 blocks. Building an iron wall; Grace Williamson (6) and Hailey Harris (5) held the Bears hitters back. Helping with the defensive stand, Jade Smith lead the team with 17 digs.
Wrapping up the weekend of hosting, the Leopards fell short against the Panola Fillies (19-25, 7-25, 9-25). In her first full match return from Covid, Reagan Riggins earned Leopard of the Match. Jade Smith logged 17 digs.
Another busy week is ahead for the Leopards. They will be heading to Dallas to compete against Cedar Valley Tuesday, September 14th.The Leopards will be hosting Mountain View Wednesday and open conference with a home match against North Central Texas College. The Leopards are asking also everyone donate towards the Hurricane Ida relief. All proceeds will go to participants of Nola Elite Volleyball Club in New Orleans, Louisiana.
FOLLOW THE LEOPARDS
Visit tcleopards.com for more information on Temple College volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the Leopard volleyball team on Facebook (@tjcvolleyball), Twitter (@templec_VB), Instagram (@templecollegevolleyball) or tiktok (@tjcvolleyball).
POST MATCH QUOTES
Jordan Pickett, Head Coach Temple College Leopards Volleyball
On the match…
"While the record itself may not indicate it, I thought the team excelled expectations for tournament season. We hold them to high standards, and they responded to challenge after challenge. We are a different team from Aug 19 to now and it's exciting to see. I can see the hunger in their eyes coming off a weekend of growth. We had a couple of big wins, fighting through the ups and down of consistency this weekend, and a challenge match vs Panola that I believe was the perfect storm heading into Conference.
This was the first weekend since Aug 20 that we have had almost the whole team back, so they are still growing and just getting started. Standouts over the weekend for me were Justice Isom and Jade Smith. Over the course of 5 weeks Justice has moved from 3rd on the depth chart to our leading setter. She is running the offense incredibly well, is playing great defense and is a comfort and calm leadership on the court. Jade Smith came off two weeks of being out, and when it was her chance on the court she excelled and made herself invaluable. She had a standout match against Panola and stayed consistent through other matches. She's excited to improve and we are looking forward to seeing it.
With 16 new-to-Temple players/freshmen, then injuries and some quarantine - chemistry has been a challenge to create on the court... yet, they keep working. I'm proud of their relentlessness and resiliency. I really feel like this weekend was a big turning point for us, and I am so excited for how the next phase in the season is going to go!"
Reagan Riggins, Freshman Setter
On the match…
"Going into my first collegiate tournament I had the right amount of nervous, but exciting. I feel we played decent but showed a lot of growth as a team. Over everything else I think everyone's mental has adjusted to this new challenge of being a collegiate athlete."