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Zero Hesitation: Lucas Lovejoy ready for Terrell
With a knack for starting each game fast-paced, the Lucas Lovejoy Lady Leopards are embarking on a journey to enter the playoffs on a high note. As the team prepares to play Terrell, VYPE DFW takes a look at what fans can expect.
Regular Season Play
Throughout the regular season, the Lady Leopards were able to secure several strong victories. Beginning in non-district play, the team set the tone for the rest of the season by posting big victories over the likes of Denton Ryan (8-0), Montwood (6-0), Forney (1-0), The Colony (3-0), and more. Always ready for the next opponent, the team entered district play ready to roll.
Led by the likes of Natalie Lenard, Natalie Knight, Katie Manders, Hannah Daehnert, Gracyn Thompson, Kiera Watson, and more, the team never hesitated when facing down their tough district opponents. Defeating tough teams like Melissa (6-0), Greenville (9-0), Denison (9-0), Sherman (6-0), and others, Lovejoy ended regular season play with a 11-0-1 district record (18-1-4 overall) at the top of their district standings.
What’s Ahead
Knowing that the playoffs are no easy feat, the team has remained prepared for anything. Looking to face down Terrell in their first playoff game of the season, the Lady Leopards can be expected to make a big splash into post season play. Fans can expect this fast-paced team to enter playoffs as strong as they entered the season- never hesitating or looking back.
Be sure you catch their playoff game on Tuesday, March 26 beginning at 6 p.m.!
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Lucas Lovejoy returns to the state tournament
An outstanding 13 appearances in the state tournament and nine victories (one six-victory streak between 2008 and 2014 and one three-peat in 2019-21), the team is making their return to the state tournament in a semifinal showdown against Lamar Fulshear. Having missed the state tournament last season, the team is ready to get back to their regular dominance with hopes of a 10th title for the program. VYPE DFW takes a look at their season so far and what fans can expect on Friday:
Regular Season Play
On a mission to make it back to playoffs and then back to the state tournament, Lucas Lovejoy prepped for a long road. The start to their season was a bit of a roller coaster as they posted victories and losses, highs and lows. Playing against tough teams, the Lady Leopards polished up and became battle-tested throughout the entirety of non-district play. Defeating Denton Guyer (3-1), Glen Rose (2-0), Baldwin (2-0), Boswell (2-0), Southlake Carroll (2-1), Justin Northwest (2-0), and more, Lovejoy entered district play ready to take down any opponent who stood in their way of the playoffs.
Posting an undefeated district record (12-0) and a first-place finish in their district standings, the team went 33-2 in sets against their district opponents. The two sets dropped came in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over McKinney North to close out district play. Led by Gentry Barker, Shelby Burriss, Skylar Jackson, Anna Barr, Sadie Jane Hand, McKenna Brand, and other focused athletes, the team posted district victories over Denison, Sherman, Melissa, Greenville, and more en route to the playoffs.
Playoffs So Far
Without ever looking back, Lovejoy entered the playoffs ready to get the job done. First up, the Lady Leopards took down Lancaster in a 3-0 sweep followed by a 3-1 victory over Whitehouse. The team then faced a tough Forney squad, but came out unscathed in a 3-0 victory before defeating Frisco Wakeland and Frisco Reedy to punch their ticket back to the state tournament.
What To Expect
This appearance will be Lamar Fulshear's third in the state tournament (2019, '20). Two seasons removed, the team is more than ready to showcase tremendous talent on the court with athletes like Bailey Warren, Lauren Witte, Avery Pruitt, Yosola Adeleke, and more. A tough team all around, Fulshear (40-4, 14-0) has allowed only 19 sets to be won against them all season long. This team is going to be Lovejoy's truest test yet... and on the biggest stage in Texas high school volleyball.
Fans can expect impactful plays guiding the way for both Fulshear and Lovejoy on Friday. Two powerhouse programs in the state-- one a recent history, one a long-standing history-- going head-to-head in the state semifinals with a common goal is sure to leave everyone wanting more. Be sure you catch all the action. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.