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Senior Jaylah Roberson spikes a ball in the Lady Hornets 3-0 senior night win over Yantis Oct. 20. The Miller Grove Lady Hornets have advanced to the regional finals for the fourth year in a row. Staff photo by Tyler Lennon
3rd rematch against Neches
ENNIS - The Miller Grove Lady Hornets traveled to Ennis Tuesday to face North Zulch in the regional semifinals round of the playoffs. Both the Lady Hornets and North Zulch entered the game with a lot of momentum, winning their previous matchups handedly.
Miller Grove set the tone early, taking the opening set by a score of 25-15. Keeping their foot on the gas, they took the second set as well, this time by a score of 25-14. With the three set-sweep in their sights, the Lady Hornets were able to put the match away, winning once again by a final score of 25-15.
Miller Grove advances to the regional finals where they face No. 1 ranked Neches at Lindale High School with a 7 p.m. start. Neches has cruised to the regional finals, winning all of their games in a lopsided fashion. In the area round, they defeated Burkeville in straight sets, by scores of 25-6, 25-8 and 25-10.
In the regional quarterfinals Neches won just as easily, defeating Chester by scores of 25-5, 25-7 and 25-5. In the regional semifinal Neches faced Avery. Avery was able to give them their toughest test so far, but Neches still won in straight sets, defeating them 25-10, 25-7 and 25-10.
Miller Grove and Neches are quite familiar with each other, as this is the third consecutive season in which the two have faced off in the regional finals. Last season Neches defeated Miller Grove 3-0, with the set scores being 25-9, 25-20 and 25-19. Neches went on to defeat Blum and Round Top-Carmine to win the state championship.
Neches defeated Miller Grove in the 2018 regional finals as well, before going on to defeat Bryson and Water Valley en route to another state championship.
This is Miller Grove’s fourth consecutive trip to the regional finals. Before their three matches against Neches, the Lady Hornets fell just short to Trinidad in five sets in the 2017 playoffs.