Hallettsville captures Spikefest

BY PAUL EBNER - PEBNER@VICAD.COM

August 23, 2008 - 10:36 p.m.

It appeared to be just the right matchup for the conclusion for the annual Victoria ISD Spikefest - Hallettsville, ranked 10th in Class 2A, and an undefeated Palacios squad.

But in the end, it was mostly Hallettsville.

A strong dose of Kelly Hairell at the net and a strong desire to win one for the absent coach, was all the Lady Brahmas needed.

Making their fourth appearance in five years in the final, the Lady Brahmas turned back Hallettsville 25-15, 25-13 to win their second title during that span.

"I really thought it was going to be a tougher match," Hairell said, who had 10 kills in the match. "But it was a little easier than I thought."

The Lady Brahmas, playing without coach Karen Darilek who gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday, swept through Saturdays bracket play with wins over Goliad and Cuero to reach the final. Hallettsville downed Goliad 25-19, 25-11 and then decked Cuero 25-20, 25-18.

Except for a 1-1 tie, Hallettsville led throughout Game 1 against Palacios and eventually drew breathing room on a 5-0 serving run by Callie Herrington.

Back-to-back dinks from Hairell and a kill from LaTreece Haynes highlighted the run. Haley Leopold would then finish it off with a pair of aces.

Palacios held a 6-4 lead in Game 2, but Hallettsville struck back with kills from Haynes and Brooke Leopold and another ace from Haley Leopold for a 7-6 advantage.

Palacios regained a short lead on a Stevaliss Guerrero kill, but all the momentum would soon vanish as Brooke Leopold forced a sideout with a kill and Hairell followed with three consecutive kills and the Lady Brahmas never were threatened again.

Hairell said this one was for her coach.

"We went and saw her Thursday when she had her baby," Hairell said. "This one was for her because we knew how much she wanted to be here. Now were all going to be babysitters."

Cuero came away with third place, defeating Calhoun 25-16, 25-20, while Schulenburg defeated Yoakum for consolation 25-14, 25-20.

Memorial dropped two of its three matches Saturday.

Shaylyn Drozd and Sam Alvarez combined for 16 kills but it wasnt enough in a 10-25, 25-18, 25-22 loss to Calhoun.

The Lady Vipers then fell to Schulenburg 16-25, 25-23, 25-20 as Alvarez had nine kills. Aubrey Flores added 12 digs and Brittany Stafford seven blocks.

Memorial bounced back to down Goliad by identical 25-16 scores as Chloe Skelly had four kills, Sydney Kuecker six digs and Katelyn Rather 7 assists.

Hairell, Haynes and Herrington were named to the all-tournament team, along with Audrey Kubecka and Chelsey Kubecka of Palacios; Sha Neal Mayfield and Megan Lange of Cuero; Shelly Fivecoat of Calhoun; Leah Mikesky and Kalli Mikulik of Schulenburg; Brianna Pavlicek of Yoakum and Alvarez of Memorial.