The Eaton Eagles continued their historic start to the 2019-20 season, as they won all three matches on Day 2 of the Northwest ISD (NISD) Volleyball Classic Friday in Justin.
But, amazingly, Diane Wilson's Eagles were only the second-biggest story of the day.
The defending Class 6A state champions, the Flower Mound Jaguars, have been ranked #1 in the state and – in some polls – the top-ranked team in the country.
Until today.
The Mansfield Tigers, who "earned" a matchup with the Jaguars due to a 2-1 record in Thursday's Day 1 pool play, took on the Jags – and beat them.
Mansfield knocked Flower Mound from the ranks of the unbeatens with a two-set sweep (25-17, 25-18) Friday afternoon. Thus, Coach Taylor Elrod's Tigers jump to the Championship Gold Bracket round as the top seed.
The Tigers get a bye past the quarterfinals; they will face the winner of the Southlake Carroll/Lucas Lovejoy match in the NISD Volleyball Classic semifinals.
The other Gold Bracket quarterfinals feature tournament co-host Eaton playing Lake Ridge; the winner of that match will face off the winner of the Byron Nelson/Hebron quarters.
Jamie Siegel's Jaguars will headline the Championship Silver Bracket, as they'll be the top seed. The Jags will play the winner of Aledo/Sachse; the other quarterfinals feature Randall taking on Decatur while Weatherford faces Highland Park.
The Championship Bronze Bracket see Keller as the top seed; the Indians will face the winner of Austin Vandegrift/Denton in the semifinals. The other semifinals will feature the winners of Parish Episcopal (Dallas)/Red Oak and Boswell/Frisco Liberty.
The Championship Ruby bracket has Coppell as the top seed; the Cowgirls will play the winner of Grapevine/Northwest in the semifinals. El Paso Coronado and Frisco Reedy face off in the other semifinal.
Finally, Krum is the top seed in the Consolation Gold Bracket; the Bobcats face either Rockwall Heath or Wakeland in the bracket semis. The other semifinal will feature the winners of Weatherford/Rockwall and Austin Westlake/Lamar.
VYPE Live will broadcast the following:
NISD Classic Championship Gold Bracket Semifinals, 11:45am
COURT 1: Mansfield vs. Southlake Carroll/Lucas Lovejoy winner (Chuck Licata)
COURT 2: Byron Nelson/Hebron winner vs. Eaton/Lake Ridge winner (Merle Bertrand)
NISD Classic Championship Gold Bracket Final: 2:15pm
COURT 1: Two semifinals winners (Chuck Licata, Merle Bertrand)