FAIRFIELD -- Volleyball coaches call it being "in system." It's what happens when a team passes, sets and spikes with precision, and it can be beautiful to watch.
A&M Consolidated played a gorgeous match against Garland Sachse on Tuesday night, blasting its way to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-16 victory in a Class 5A Region II quarterfinal match at the Johnson Activity Center.
The seventh-ranked Lady Tigers (34-8) advanced to the regional semifinal round for the second consecutive season and the second time in school history at the 5A level. Consol will play in Huntsville on Friday against second-ranked Round Rock Westwood, which outlasted No. 6 College Park in five games Tuesday.
Storming back after a so-so performance in the area round, the Lady Tigers lifted their game several notches against Sachse (31-12). Consol never let the District 10-5A champion Lady Mustangs into the match.
"I think we'll take all the momentum [into the regional tournament]," Consol coach Cydryce McMillian said. "Sachse does some great things with their outside hitters and middle blockers to kind of get us ready for Friday night. We did a very good job of combating that. It makes me feel much more comfortable to see that we can turn it on when we're playing a higher-level opponent. It's pretty hard to stop us when we're in system."
Consol's balanced attack has been a team strength for the last two seasons. The Lady Tigers spread the wealth Tuesday, getting at least five kills from four players. They also got some dominant power hitting from Karla Gilbert and Shelby Dickson.
The 6-foot-5 Gilbert, who will sign to play basketball for Texas A&M on Wednesday, made it clear she wasn't ready for her volleyball career to end. She established Consol's superiority at the net early, delivering two kills and a block while the Lady Tigers jumped to a 9-2 lead in Game 1.
Gilbert finished with a match-leading 13 kills and added three blocks. She helped Consol to a clear advantage in each category, with a 42-30 edge in kills and a 6-1 dominance in blocks.
"This was awesome," Gilbert said. "I think we did everything good today. Everything we did in practice, we did it on the court. I think our minds were set, and we executed. [Setter] Bailey [Gillum] did an awesome job, and so did our passers."
Last year, Dickson was perhaps Consol's most reliable hitter during the playoff march. The 5-11 senior missed this year's bi-district match because of a sprained thumb, and she played in the second round but had an uncharacteristically low three kills.
Dickson provided a perfect complement to Gilbert with a big night against Sachse. Playing with a wrap around her thumb, Dickson produced two kills during the early flurry and finished the match with 11. She slammed a couple of booming spikes, the type that feed a team's fire.
"Seeing her tonight told me she's back," McMillian said. "That's a comfortable feeling. I feel like she's ready to go for the regional tournament."
The Tigers also got seven kills from Julia Westerbur, five from Erika Arthur and four by Ashton Holliday.
Most of Consol's top hitters returned from last year's team. The most significant hole in the lineup was at setter, but Gillum has improved steadily after earning the job early in the season.
Gillum dished out 33 assists against Sachse. The junior was able to move her passes around to prevent the Lady Mustangs from ganging up on the Consol hitters, and she was really clicking with Gilbert on quick attacks.
"Bailey is probably one of our most improved players this season," McMillian said. "She had to fill some pretty big shoes, and I think she has grown and matured on the court. She's doing a very good job."
Consol also got an excellent performance from its back-row players. Libero Kelsey Kinley led the Lady Tigers with 20 digs, and defensive specialist Megan Caruso added 11. With Caruso substituting for Gilbert in the back, that spot in the lineup was extremely productive.
The Lady Mustangs, who were seeking their first trip to the regional semifinals since 2004, made Lainey Clark do much of her setting on the move. Marissa Olivares led Sachse with 11 kills, but Clark was second on the team with eight kills, all coming on dink shots.
"We just gave them too many easy balls with our lack of passing," Sachse coach Rikki Jones said. "They're a talented team, and they could have their way with us."
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Klein Oak | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Cypress Woods | Away | 7 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Austin Westlake | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Temple | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 29 | Killeen Ellison | Away | 7 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Bryan | Kyle Field | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Killeen Shoemaker | Home | 730 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Copperas Cove | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Harker Heights | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Belton | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 3 | Clear Springs | Away | 7 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Round Rock McNeil | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 15 | Woodlands College Park | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Killeen Ellison | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Killeen Shoemaker | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | A&M Consolidated | Kyle Field | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Copperas Cove | Home | 730 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Harker Heights | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Belton | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Temple | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Taylor | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Leander Rouse | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Navasota | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Houston C.E. King | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 24 | Hutto | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Bastrop | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Manor | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Pflugerville Hendrickson | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Pflugerville Connally | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Elgin | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Huntsville | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 1 | Lamar Consolidated | Away | 7 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Houston Lamar | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Magnolia West | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Waller | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 8 | Spring Woods | Away | 6 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Montgomery | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Houston Northbrook | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Magnolia | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Houston Stratford | Home | 7 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Navasota | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Coldspring-Oakhurst | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Caldwell | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Crockett | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Rockdale | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Palestine Westwood | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Groesbeck | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Mexia | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Palestine | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Fairfield | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Bellville | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Austin Crockett | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Madisonville | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Waco Connally | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Brookshire-Royal | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Smithville | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Giddings | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Navasota | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | La Grange | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Rockdale | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 27 | Abilene Wylie | Home | 6 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Salado | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Cameron | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Liberty Hill | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Navasota | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Smithville | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | La Grange | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Giddings | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Caldwell | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Waco Connally | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | La Vega | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Rockdale | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Navasota | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Hearne | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Marlin | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | McGregor | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Academy | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Florence | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Troy | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Franklin | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | New Waverly | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Corrigan-Camden | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Cameron | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Troy | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Marlin | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | McGregor | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Academy | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Florence | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Grapeland | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Teague | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Elkhart | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Trinity | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Scurry-Rosser | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Buffalo | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Leon | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Axtell | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Blooming Grove | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Italy | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Elkhart | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Bremond | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | New Waverly | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Hillsboro | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Lovelady | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Axtell | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Centerville | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Italy | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Buffalo | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Blooming Grove | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Hearne | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Tomball Memorial | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Whitney | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | New Waverly | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Rogers | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Jarrell | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Rosebud-Lott | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Lexington | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Thorndale | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Bruceville-Eddy | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Smithville | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Blanco | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Academy | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Geronimo Navarro | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Jarrell | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Rosebud-Lott | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Franklin | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Thorndale | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Bruceville-Eddy | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Rogers | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | St. Joseph | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Hull-Daisetta | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Milano | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Hubbard | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Snook | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Moody | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Thrall | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Somerville | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Normangee | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Trinity | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Elkhart | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Bremond | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Snook | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Bartlett | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | New Waverly | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Moody | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Thrall | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Somerville | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Iola | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Cedar Park Summit | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Burton | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Snook | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Vanderbilt Inudstrial | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Granger | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Austin St. Dominic Savio | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Thrall | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Iola | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Normangee | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Moody | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Buffalo | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Leon | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Normangee | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Thorndale | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Axtell | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Frost | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Hubbard | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Chilton | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Wortham | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Dawson | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Waco Texas Christian | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Central Texas Christian | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Iola | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 15 | Giddings State School | Away | 7:00 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Chilton | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Burton | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Holland | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Bartlett | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Snook | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Granger | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | John Paul Catholic | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Brazos Christian | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Somerville | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Normangee | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Iola | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Holland | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Granger | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Burton | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Milano | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Bartlett | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 27 | Strawn | Away | 10:00 am |
| Sept. 2 | Aquila | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | TBA | TBA | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Penelope | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Greenville Christian | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Tomball Rosehill | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Waco Live Oak | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Star | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Oglesby | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Buckholts | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Iola | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Katy Faith West | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Katy Pope John XIII | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Brazos Christian | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 24 | Shiner St. Paul | Away | 7:00 pm |
| Oct. 8 | Hallettsville Sacred Heart | Away | 2:00 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Bay Area Christian | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 20 | Giddings State School | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Austin Regents | Away | 7:00 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Texas School for the Deaf | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 26 | Cypress Christian | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Snook | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Texas School for the Deaf | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | St. Joseph | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | The Woodlands Christian | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Katy Faith West | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 8 | Shiner St. Paul | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Austin St. Dominic Savio | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | San Antonio St. Gerard | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Hallettsville Sacred Heart | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 27 | Waco Live Oak | Away | 7:00 pm |
| Sept. 2 | San Marcos Home School | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Harmony Science | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Sept. 16 | BVCHEA | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Marble Falls Faith | Home | 8:00 pm |
| Sept. 30 | Temple Holy Trinity | Away | 7:00 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Tomball Christian | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Bastrop Tribe Consolidated | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Oct. 22 | Waco Methodist Home | Home | 5:00 pm |
| Oct. 29 | Bell County ECHO | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 25 | Waco Parkview | Away | 7:00 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Tomball Rosehill | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Sept. 10 | Dallas The Covenant | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Orange Community | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Sept. 23 | Houston Texas Christian | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Oct. 1 | Houston Emery-Weiner | Home | 6:00 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Dickinson Pine Drive | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Throckmorton | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Alvin Living Stones | Home | 7:00 pm |
| Nov. 4 | Bellville Faith | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 25 | Bellville Faith | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 2 | Austin NYOS | Away | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 9 | Temple Centex | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 16 | Allen Academy | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Sept. 23 | San Antonio Sunnybrook | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 1 | San Antonio FEAST | Away | 1:00 pm |
| Oct. 7 | Central Texas ECHO | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 14 | Williamson County | Away | 7:00 pm |
| Oct. 21 | Waco Live Oak | Home | 7:30 pm |
| Oct. 28 | Waco Methodist Home | Away | 7:30 pm |