Princeton senior Tito Abiba hits the ball over the net on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at McKinney High School. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
MCKINNEY — Ever since Princeton moved up to Class 6A two years ago, earning a District 6-6A victory has proven to be a challenge for the Lady Panthers volleyball team. Even extending a match beyond three sets has been difficult.
None of Princeton’s first eight district matches this season lasted more than three sets, though head coach Yolanda Beasley had seen her team come close to winning at least one set on several occasions.
This week, the Lady Panthers nearly broke through.
Princeton not only won a set against McKinney, but also nearly spoiled Senior Night for the Lions. The determination Princeton displayed, particularly on defense, nearly earned the Lady Panthers their first district victory. However, despite overcoming several multi-point deficits, Princeton couldn’t finish off the Lions, falling 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 26-24, 16-14 on Oct. 13.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Beasley said. “That’s what I told them. ‘The fight was outstanding. The little things cost you, but we know now that we can. So now it’s a belief that you can and now go do.’”
Princeton delivered the first blow, taking a 6-3 lead in the opening set after back-to-back kills by Tito Abiba and Jalyn Mosley. McKinney capitalized on Princeton’s mistakes to rally into the lead and later put the Lady Panthers on the ropes. A net violation gave the Lions a 19-16 advantage and forced a Princeton timeout.
The timeout reenergized the Lady Panthers.
A kill by Alexis Osaghae ignited a 9-2 Princeton run to close out the set. A missed serve by McKinney gave the Lady Panthers the final point and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five match.
McKinney led for most of the second set, but Princeton mounted a late rally. The Lions appeared in control after a Princeton hitting error gave them a 19-14 lead, but the Lady Panthers surged back and threatened to take a commanding two-sets-to-none advantage.
An Abiba kill brought Princeton to set point. However, McKinney answered with three consecutive points to claim the set. Back-to-back blocks by Kaiden Ruff helped the Lions even the match at one set apiece.
In what became a roller-coaster match, Princeton’s determination was tested again in the third set. The momentum McKinney gained late in the second carried over, as the Lions raced to a 9-1 lead behind a Henley Vogel service ace and later extended their advantage to 21-13.
Overcoming deficits that large had been rare for Princeton, but the Lady Panthers showed a different level of determination that night.
A missed serve by McKinney gave Princeton the spark it needed to mount a furious rally. An Abiba kill put the Lady Panthers ahead 22-21. Princeton reached set point on a Mosley kill, and Abiba delivered another kill on the ensuing point to give the Lady Panthers a two-sets-to-one lead.
“That’s probably the best rally that we’ve had,” Beasley said. “We’ve had some where we’ve been in that same spot but hadn’t been able to earn a win. It’s about just getting them to believe in themselves and keep working.”
Ultimately, Princeton couldn’t finish off McKinney.
The Lady Panthers reached match point in each of the final two sets, but the Lions came through when it mattered most.
In the fifth set, back-to-back aces by Carlee Dutler gave Princeton an early 3-0 lead. The Lady Panthers later reached match point after a McKinney hitting error, but the Lions refused to give in.
Princeton struggled to contain Hayley Creecy at key moments, and her final kill of the night sealed a thrilling five-set victory for McKinney.
The Lady Panthers have three more chances to earn a district win before the season ends. Their first opportunity is Friday night at Prosper Walnut Grove. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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