Sports
Argyle Lady Eagles beat Commerce in straight sets in regional quarterfinals
By Allen Rich
Nov 10, 2009

Princeton -- Now that the playoffs are underway, District 10-3A is already getting to know District 9-3A better than they wanted to.

The Argyle Lady Eagles, the number 2 seed out of District 9-3A, eliminated the District 10-3A champion Commerce Lady Tigers in the Region II-3A Quarterfinals played Monday night at Princeton High School. Last Friday, Argyle put away the number three seed in District 10-3A, the Van Alstyne Lady Panthers.  Even more telling is the fact that Argyle won both those matches in straight sets.

The Paris Lady Cats are the final hope for District 10-3A, but Tuesday night in Royse City Paris goes up against Prosper, the top team from District 9-3A.  And whether it's Prosper or Paris that comes out on top Tuesday night, neither will have long to celebrate.  Most likely the top Class 3A team in Texas, the Lucas Lovejoy Lady Leopards will have their claws out and be waiting for the winner of that match in the Region II-3A Semifinals to be played November 13 at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

In the Region II-3A Quarterfinal match between the Commerce Lady Tigers and the Argyle Lady Eagles, Commerce came out strong and took a 6-4 lead on a thundering block by Danielle Essix.  But lightning-quick Lady Eagles Katie McKinney and Jennifer Speer slammed down kills to start an 8-0 run by Argyle.  With standout sophomore Sawyer Camillo crunching six kills in the opener, Argyle pulled away to win 25-16.

McKinney jump-started the Lady Eagles with a pair of kills and a block to start the second game, but Commerce gamely battled point-for-point.  Freshman Kaci Harrison had a kill and another freshman, Chaney Moreland slipped an ace through the Argyle defense.  Commerce has an outstanding sophomore, too, and Raven Massey came through with a pair of kills as Commerce pulled even at 10-10 in game two. 

Argyle answered with two kills by Camillo and a kill by Samantha James.  Commerce fought to stay close, with Massey knocking down a kill and Kayla Clark getting a nice block.  Essix and Teal Martin also registered kills for Commerce, but Argyle refused to give up the lead.  Speer, Camillo and Callye Herbison had kills down the stretch as the Lady Eagles won the second game, 25-19.

With their back to the wall, Commerce went on the attack in game three.  Massey had six kills and Clark collected three kills as the teams battled to a 25-25 tie.  But a long serve game Argyle the advantage and a kill by Camillo closed the books on a 27-25 victory.

Arglye's Sawyer Camillo finished with 14 kills to lead all hitters, while teammates Jennifer Speer and Katie McKinney contributes seven kills and five kills, respectively.

For Commerce, Raven Massey tallied 10 kills, Danielle Essix slammed down six kills and Kayla Clark finished with five kills.

Commerce wraps up a remarkable 37-6 season.

Argyle advances to the Region II-3A Tournament at Texas A&M University-Commerce where the Lady Eagles will take on the winner of Texarkana Pleasant Grove/Eustace in one of the semifinal matches on Friday, November 13.