HIGHS & LOWS
Ladycats fall in area playoffs

A deadly case of nerves in the first game proved too much for the Whitehouse Ladycats to overcome, as the District 12-4A champs fell in three games to Mesquite Poteet Tuesday night.

Playing at Mabank High School, the Ladycats quickly dropped the first game 8-25.

"We had a terrible case of nerves that first game," said longtime head coach Cheryl Till. "Because of that, we just could not get in rhythm and simply couldn't get anything going."

The Ladycats' performance in games two and three improved, but their opponent hung tough to pull out the win and area championship, 19-25 and 18-25.

"They had so many weapons," said Till. "They played a tremendous match."

"We scouted them and, honestly, we knew a lot of the shots they were going to try and make, but they executed so well ... their timing, passing, hits. When you're clicking that well, it's easy to keep the momentum on your side -- and it's hard for ther other team to get it."

The Ladycats were led by Christine Ford with 7 kills and 9 points, Jordan Knight with 5 kills and 8 points, Katy Kidwell with 4 kills and 6 points and Stephanie Alexander with 4 kills and 9 points.

Joanna Blake wipes away tears after the loss.

Though disappointed with the early dismissal, Till praised her team in going 13-1 in district and in beating tough conference rivals Pine Tree and Hallsville for the title.

"We had a very successful year. We didn't want to get eliminated this soon, but I feel like a lot of people who like to be where we are, as well," she said. "The girls did a great job to get to this point."