By Nolan Ruth
X – @RealNolanRuth
JUSTIN— The Springtown Porcupines faced the tall task of facing their arch-rival Decatur Lady Eagles on Monday night for the Volleyball Class 4A Division I Region 1 title at Northwest High School in Justin.
From the get-go, Decatur controlled the majority of the match claiming the win in four sets; 25-20, 25-19, 23-25, 25-14.
Going into the match, the Porcupines had won their last 24 consecutive sets, including a straight-set win over Decatur at the end of the regular season that determined seeding. The match marked the fourth meeting between the two with Decatur claiming the first in straight sets, Springtown claiming the second in four, and then the seeding game which the Porcupines also claimed.
The Lady Eagles quickly seized momentum and won the first set with relative ease after Springtown scored the first two points. In the second set, junior outside hitter Libby Tedder came up with a crucial kill that gave the Porcupines some life, setting up a five point run that retook the lead.
However, Decatur once again reclaimed the lead and saw runs of six and four to pin Springtown against the wall, taking the second set.
The Porcupines did not go quietly, and thanks in part to a pair of plays from Tedder and Natalia Del Valle kept Springtown in charge, ultimately sending the match into a fourth set.
Unfortunately for the Porcupines, Decatur was just too much this time, and the Lady Eagles cruised in the fourth set, winning 25-14, denying Springtown of what would have been its first state semifinals appearance since 1995.
