Westlake Picayune

By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

It’s taken three tournaments and more than 30 matches, but the Chaps appeared to have discovered their offensive rhythm.

Westlake (24-7, 4-0) rode that beat to a 25-14, 25-13, 25-20 pummeling of Pflugerville Connally (13-15, 2-2) in a District 25-5A match up last night at Westlake High School. Five starters had at least five kills for the Chaps as they spread the offense from antennae to antennae, and setter Elly Barrett tallied 30 assists.

More impressively, Westlake compiled its 42 kills without committing an attacking error until the third game.

“It was really wonderful to come out and execute our offense like that,” Westlake coach Al Bennett said. “To not have an attacking error in the first two games is great. It’s been what we’ve been pushing for all season.”

The only drama of the contest came in a thrilling third game. Connally built a 15-13 lead against a Westlake lineup loaded with reserves, but the Chaps rallied behind a strong showing from backup outside hitter Katie Sorenson. The  5-foot-11-inch junior triggered a 7-0 run with a kill before serving six consecutive points. Four of those points came on aces as Sorenson riddled the Cougars’ defense.

“Coach told us to keep on pushing and fighting and keep our energy up,” Sorenson said. “You don’t want to go to a fourth or fifth game.”

Connally, a Class 5A newcomer that had never before played Westlake, pulled to within 23-20, but a kill by Sorenson and a Cougar hitting error ended the match.

According to Bennett, performances such as Sorenson’s could shore up the rotation for the No. 9 Chaps.

“We’ve been looking for depth at some key spots, and she (Sorenson) stepped up tonight,” he said. “The biggest thing was that she came in and was very reliable at the service line.”

Westlake’s starters proved plenty reliable through the first two games. Outside hitter Sara Shaw fired nine kills during that span, and Abby Howden had all six of her kills in the second game.

Barrett also drew Westlake’s middles into the attack. Hannah Kolar had a season-high eight kills and two blocks, and Ella Praisner hammered six kills. For good measure, Barrett added six kills when Connally’s defense spread itself to thin.

“We’re going to mix it up on you,” Sorenson said.  “We’ll go left, go right, and surprise you.”

That type of offensive balance will prove critical as the Chaps enter the heart of their district slate, said Bennett.

“We’ll see if we can do what we did (tonight) against Bowie (Friday),” he said. “We have to do execute like we did tonight that when we match up with bigger teams.”

Jessica Egwuagu paced Connally with eight kills, and Connally setter Allyson Hill dished out 17 assists.