By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
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COLLEYVILLE – Amber Hughes and her Prosper Richland Raiders continue to make history during their inaugural season after taking down Kennedale 25-20, 25-14, 21-25, 25-16 in the Class 4A D1 area round championship on Tuesday night at Colleyville Heritage HS.
The Raiders move to the Region 2 semifinals to face Lindale, which beat Sulphur Springs on Tuesday in straight sets.
Hughes came over from Mansfield Lake Ridge, where she spent the previous five seasons – leading the Eagles to the District 3-6A championship last season.
But with a young group that features no seniors, one junior and the rest sophomores and freshmen, Richland is now third round deep after taking down Kennedale in area and Irving North Hills Prep in the bi-district round. The Raiders finished in a tie for third in the District 9-4A standings – one that features 40-win Aubrey and Celina – both who have been to UIL state in Garland over the past five years.
After trailing in the first, Kennedale used a 7-1 run to go ahead 13-12. The Wildcats block at the net was strong all night long, particularly in the opening game. Senior Skylar Applewhite was tremendous in her final high school match, leading a parade of blocks, one that gave the Wildcats a 16-14 lead.
However, Richland came back and went up by three to force a timeout. Ava Cryer recorded a kill on set point to give Richland a 1-0 lead. The Raiders controlled the second set and led 20-12 after a Reese Mahar kill on the left side. Mahar, a captain, is one of eight sophomores on the team.
There are five freshmen.
Mahar got another kill off the block to give Richland a 2-0 lead.
Applewhite led the Wildcats in the third game with a fury of kills and blocks. Two blocks in the first half of the set helped Kennedale pull ahead 13-6. Then a kill from Lexi Zamora made in 16-9 before Richland clawed back within 17-13. Kennedale freshman Gracelyn Derrington picked up another Wildcat block point for a 21-13 lead. Kennedale had set point when Richland made a tiny run before the Cats put in the game away.
Kennedale run out of gas in the fourth as Richland built up a comfortable lead.
Richland faces a Lindale team that has won 30+ and finished third in District 15-4A. The winner will face the winner of the other Region 2 semi in Celina and Van. The Raiders faced Celina twice in the regular season – losing in three and five sets, respectively.
