Rudder volleyball team finishes season with victory

Rudder's final volleyball match of the season was a night to honor the seniors who held the personality of this year's team. The Rangers' juniors did their part on the court, too, helping Rudder rally to beat Cedar Ridge 23-25, 25-27, 25-17, 25-18, 15-10 in District 16-4A action.

Juniors Hailie Bagley and Tylar Williams led Rudder with 12 kills apiece while Rachel Mitchell dished out a team-high 36 assists, offering hope that Rudder's returning players can fuel a strong team next season. Rudder finished 18-22 overall and 8-8 in district.

"We're already talking district 2012," Rudder head coach Jacky Pence said. "We're ready for the UIL to give us our alignment. All three of those players come back along with [Ashley] Miller and [Ashley Atkins]. Our JV won district, so we have a great core from that. But I don't want it to be over, though. That's the only thing."

Rudder played its ninth five-setter of the season Tuesday.

"This was so fitting for us to win in five tonight," Pence said. "I think it's six times this season we've lost in the fifth. We played so many matches to five. I knew that's what we would do. It's just really nice to get the win."

After going down two games Pence told her players they had been in the same position enough times this season that it was nothing special. Her team responded with a cool and collected third game that saw the Rangers establish an early nine-point lead, never looking back to the two games lost.

The teams were tied at 15 in Game 4, but Williams and Bagley led the way as Rudder rattled off seven consecutive points.

"I told them this is what we do," Pence said. "I told them this is it, we might as well get our money's worth and play all five and that we're going to win this tonight."

Cedar Ridge, which also was eliminated from playoff contention, never led Game 5 after the Rangers made it 1-1. Trailing by six points, the visitors seemed to have a sure point before a Rudder dig led to a block by Williams that sent a spark through the crowd of Rangers fans, football and basketball players. Rudder's last hit of the season came from Atkins, who tipped the ball over the net for the victory.

"It is nice to end the season on a win, especially for our seniors," Pence said.

Among the Rudder seniors, Abby Phillips had eight kills and Brooke Sullivan led the team with 27 digs.

"This group of seniors has so much personality, aside from their skill," Pence said. "That's what we are already saying, 'How are we going to replace that?' This is our first class that was actually in this building for four years and that's special."