By Michael Adams
michael@otssports.com
DRIPPING SPRINGS – There’s bound to be late drama when two of Central Texas’ most storied volleyball programs meet on the court.
Tuesday’s showdown at Dripping Springs High School between District 26-6A heavyweights Westlake and Dripping Springs was no different.
Dripping Springs sophomore Henley Anderson and junior Riley Certain led a late Tiger rally down 13-8 in the deciding fifth set to complete the comeback and defeat the Chaparrals 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-15, 16-14). Anderson finished the game with 26 kills and 15 digs, while Certain had 16 kills and 4 digs.
The victory gives the Tigers (35-2, 5-0 District 26-6A) sole possession of first place in the district standings.
“Our kids answered the bell when we needed them to,” said Dripping Springs head coach Michael Kane. “We talked in the locker room about what you’re willing to do to be successful, and that play towards the end, they’re jumping all over each other, saving a ball and that speaks volumes of this crew.”
See more photos from Tuesday’s game
Westlake (27-7, 5-1) commanded the first set behind junior outside hitter Lily Davis and the Chaparral offense. Davis finished with a match-high 35 kills, while freshman Allie Hudgins had 15 and Claire Wemil had 5.
Dripping Springs had a late rally, but was unable to stop Westlake’s offense in the first set. However, Anderson and company took control of the second set and held on to take the set 25-21 and tie the match a 1 set.
That was the theme for the next couple of sets as Westlake took the third set 25-19 and Dripping Springs dominated the fourth set 25-15 to send the match into a deciding fifth set.
The Chaparrals looked like they were going to walk out of Tiger Gymnasium with a huge win, never trailing in the set and being two points away from the upset. However, the late rally by the Tigers showed why they are the reigning Class 6A state champions.
“Sometimes you need a little bit of luck, ” said Westlake coach Miguel Saenz. “They hustled at the net, we had people there, and it bounced off. It was a well fought match. We knew what they were doing, they knew what we were doing, and it came down to who executed better. They executed a bit better there at the end.”
Defensively, Elle Kuhn and Presley Alford each had 25 digs for the Tigers. Westlake’s Reese Emerick led the Chaps with 34 digs.
Westlake hosts San Antonio Cornerstone Christin in non-district action on Friday while Dripping Springs travels to Austin High with a district matchup with the Maroons.
Box score
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westlake (27-7, 5-1) | 25 | 21 | 25 | 15 | 14 | 2 |
| Dripping Springs (35-2, 5-0) | 22 | 25 | 19 | 25 | 16 | 3 |
Digs: Dripping Springs – Ella Kuhn 25, Presley Alford 25, Arabela Grijalva 16, Certain 4, Riley Jones 2, Euston 2, Anderson 15. Westlake – Reese Emerick 34, Davis 24, Hudgins 15, Reese Ramsey 15.
Blocks: Dripping Springs – Euston 7, Anderson 1. Westlake – Wemli 4, Davis 2, Caitlin Hefner 2.
Assists: Dripping Springs – Alford 29, Lund 16. Westlake – Ramsey 55, Emerick 5.