By TERRY COOKSTON
CNHI
Rockwall County —
The Rockwall Lady Jackets advanced to the Gold Bracket final at the Garland ISD Invitational Volleyball Tournament last weekend before losing to crosstown rival Rockwall-Heath for the bracket championship.
The ladies kicked off the tourney on Friday with three straight division wins at Rowlett High School to advance to the championship bracket first round.
Rockwall defeated Garland 2-0 (25-23, 25-15) in its opener with Ashlynn Broussard pounding six kills to lead the way in Game 1. She added two kills in the second game, Meredith Marlett smashed three and Brooke Harrington one. Allie Cecil served five straight points to give RHS an early 11-4 lead and Brenna Mason closed out the match with three straight service points.
The Lady Jackets then knocked off Ennis 2-0 (25-10, 25-20). Marlett had two blocks and one kill, Broussard posted three kills, Melanie Pugsley put up three kills, Harrington added two and Becca Floyd banged four straight service points in Game 1 and five straight in Game 2.
Pugsley and Broussard led the way in Rockwall’s 2-0 (25-18, 25-17) victory versus North Mesquite with eight and seven kills respectively.
In first-round championship bracket play, also on Friday at Rowlett, Rockwall had to go three games against Episcopal School of Dallas, but continued its tournament winning streak with a 2-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-22) victory. Broussard recorded 10 kills, Loren Kelly booked 17 assists and Cecil had 15 digs to spark the win.
With championship bracket action moved to Sachse on Saturday, RHS dropped its first match 2-0 (25-13, 26-24) to John Paul II before defeating Desoto 2-0 (25-22, 26-24) to set up the Gold Bracket championship game against Heath. Broussard blasted 7 kills and Kelly posted 10 assists to lead RHS versus Desoto.
Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath then showcased one of the top matches of the tournament, with Heath knocking off the Lady Jackets 2-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-19) in a 3-game thriller.
In Rockwall’s second-game win the Lady Jackets overcame a 12-7 RHHS lead to take the win. Kelly served the final four points with an ace to close out the game. She also booked 17 assists in the match and Broussard banged 18 kills.
RHS was scheduled to return to regular-season play on Tuesday against volleyball power Arlington Martin at RHS gymnasium.
