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Miller Grove’s Kaley Dorantes makes a great play to return a serve in the Lady Hornets 3-1 regional quarterfinal win over Sulphur Bluff Friday. The Lady Hornets advanced to the regional semifinals where they will face North Zulch. Staff photo by Tyler Lennon
To face North Zulch
The Miller Grove Lady Hornets traveled to Sulphur Springs Friday to face Sulphur Bluff in a regional quarterfinal playoff match.
Miller Grove’s Jaylah Roberson got things started with an ace on the opening play. Keeping the momentum going, Lainy Burnett picked up four kills early in the set to give the Lady Hornets a 5-4 lead.
Later in the set, Harli Watson made a great dig to keep the possession alive, leading to a kill from Roberson to put Miller Grove ahead, 21-17. The Lady Hornets won the next four possessions and took the opening set by a score of 25-17.
In the second set, it was Lauren Bullard who provided the early spark for Miller Grove. Bullard picked up four aces in a five-possession span, forcing Sulphur Bluff to use a timeout as the Lady Hornets went ahead 10-5.
Sulphur Buff answered back immediately, going on a run of their own to tie things up at 11-11. The Lady Bears kept the momentum rolling and went on to take the second set by a score of 25-19.
Miller Grove got off to a hot start in the third set, quickly taking a 10-4 lead on an ace from Burnett. Burnett kept the strong play going, picking up a pair of kills later in the set, the second of which put the Lady Hornets ahead 22-14. Sulphur Bluff tried to fight there way back into it, but an ace from Watson would put the set away, 25-18.
Looking to put the game away, the Lady Hornets hit the ground running in the fourth set. With the score 3-3, Miller Grove went on a 6-0 run to go ahead 9-3. During that run Bullard picked up three aces, and Burnett had a pair of kills. Miller Grove went on to win the set by a score of 25- 20, defeating Sulphur Bluff to advance to the regional semifinals.
Coverage of Tuesday’s regional semifinals matchup against North Zulch will be published in Saturday’s edition of the News-Telegram.