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Big 5 VB teams enter closing run of matches

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Area Big 5 teams enter the final three weeks of the regular season with Italy nearing a district championship while No. 33 Ferris (21-6) still has a chance for the top spot, though they must knock off the two teams, Heritage (20-18) at home on Oct. 12 and then at No. 14 Godley (26-7) on Oct. 15. When they met earlier they dropped 3-0 decisions.

The front-running Lady Glads (13-4) should thump Itasca but Avalon (8-6), at home, could make things difficult on Oct. 15.

ENNIS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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Preparing to make an uproar

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Opening the season at No. 7 in the state-recognized Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings, Ennis has moved up twice, to No. 6, and two weeks ago to the present No. 4 spot. Having an open week will likely secure the Lions lofty perch as six of the Top Ten have an idle week.

The Lions shootout win over Red Oak, now 1-3, doesn’t look as impressive as it may have since the Hawks followed that 56-42 loss with sieve-like defensive efforts in 64-42 and 62-21 blowout losses to Sachse (3-2) and Rockwall-Heath (4-1).

Hernandez-Barriaga sets XC mark

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A young Ennis Cross Country team held its own during this week’s 28-team Ken Gaston Invitational in Grand Prairie. The varsity boys finished 14th in a field of Class 5A and 6A schools, led by their top two harriers.

Martin Hernandez-Barriaga and Noah Bramall, who wear winged-heels for the Lions team, were separated by just 12 seconds. That small time margin, however, had Barriaga taking 27th and Bramall crossing the tape in 40th.

Lady Glads positioned for title run

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No. 32 ranked Italy and No. 14 Blum entered October tied in District 15-2A without suffering a league loss so far. That surely changed on Friday night, Oct. 1, when the Lady Gladiators traveled 40 miles southwest to Blum.

The two will clash again on Oct. 26, in Italy, in a match that could determine the district champion.

Ferris recovers from 1-2 district punch

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Sailing along with 14-wins-in-15 outings, HC Kyla Menefee and No. 27 ranked Ferris ran into a volleyball buzzsaw. The Lady Jackets went down in straight sets to both No. 16 Godley (25-7), 25-14, 25-8 and 25-17 at home, and at Midlothian Heritage (20-18), 25-14, 25-21 and 25-14.

The Swarm righted the ship with consecutive triumphs at home versus Life Waxahachie, 3-0, 25-12, 25-15 and 25-18, and at Hillsboro, 3-0, 25-13, 25-19 and 25-18.

ENNIS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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Senior linebacker Brayden Gardner, No. 40, is 5’7, 185 pounds. He turned in his best, big-play performance on Sept. 24 against Sulphur Springs. In fact, when he recorded a safety just minutes into the game, it set the pace for an Ennis defense that rolled up a 44-0 lead.

Palmer netters barking for playoffs

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Clawing their way into contention, Palmer is currently on the outside-looking-in as one of three fifth place teams vying for a Top 4 finish and a spot in the post-season. HC Melanie Barnes leads the K9’s into the second round of seven league matches this coming week when they host fourth place Rice at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Palmer had a two-match winning streak snapped last week when third place Mildred won, 3-1. The Eagles grabbed the first set, 25-21, before Palmer assembled a complete 25-13 effort to even the match. They could not sustain it in 25-20 and 25-21 setbacks.

Avalon looks to elevate play on court

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University Interscholastic League district alignments have Class 1A Avalon placed in District 15-2A, where competition can be challenging. The Lady Eagles, however, have proven themselves tough against both classes.

HC Tony Hernandez is prepping the Orange Flyers for a possible post-season berth. They have three home tilts in a row, Oct. 5 against Rio Vista, Oct. 12 versus Blum and Oct. 15 when Italy comes to the Dome. Never count out the Eagles.

Avalon (6-5 / 1-1)

HC – Tony Hernandez

Sept. 17 at Blum, 4 p.m.

L 1-3 at Italy

Ennis VB faces tough home stretch

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After opening District 14-5A play with three straight sweep-defeats, Ennis bounced back with one of their own in a 3-0 home triumph over Corsicana on Sept. 24. The Lady Lions, bent on improving from last year’s last place finish, want to rise high enough to reach fourth place. That would also bring a berth in the state playoffs.