Rilee Miller Paces Tyler Grace in Home Sweep of Rival T.K. Gorman

TYLER -- Rilee Miller's barrage of kills fueled Tyler Grace Community School's three-game sweep against rival Tyler T.K. Gorman on Tuesday night, 25-21, 25-12, 25-13.

Miller, Grace's lone senior, led the Lady Cougars (17-8) with 16 kills, six assists, and two aces as Grace improved to 4-2 in TAPPS District 2-4A.

Grace started sluggish in Game 1, but came out roaring in the final two sets to record the sweep.

"This being my first year at Grace, I understand that T.K. Gorman's a big deal, but it was such a big deal to these girls," said Grace coach Lauren Williams. "We started a little shaky, but we didn't let it get to us. I don't know if it was the fact that we were playing our rivals, but whatever it was they found it after that first set and we pushed."

Grace's Emma Yeatts had four kills, 16 assists, and two aces, while Taylor Kingsley added seven kills and one ace. Kristin Braughton chipped in three kills and a block.

Williams was pleased with her team's ability to overcome small errors during Game 1.

"For them to step back up in that second set and almost forget like that first set even took place and come out and start over and play like we did, I'm so proud," Williams said. "They did a great job."

Mandie Vander Vorste led Gorman, which fell to 2-3 in TAPPS District 2-4A play, with three kills, while Maddie Behm and Maddie Raney had two kills apiece. Susannah Williams added two blocks.

Grace overcame a 5-1 Game 1 deficit to take a 12-6 lead behind four Miller kills. A 5-0 Gorman run cut Grace's lead to a point, but the Lady Cougars answered with an 11-5 spurt to take control of the game. Gorman fought back to within two, 23-21, after a block and a kill from Williams, but Grace ended Game 1 with a Braughton kill.

Miller got rollins in Game 2 with four early kills, prompting a "Miller Time" chant from the Grace student section. The Lady Cougars reeled off 10 consecutive points for a 22-8 edge and scored their final two points of the game on Miller kills for a 2-0 match advantage.

Grace dominated Game 3, scoring the first 10 points, including a Miller ace and a Bethany Kimmey block. Grace closed the match with a Kylie Stinson ace and Miller's 16th kill.

Grace visits Carrollton Prince of Peace Christian School at 6:30 p.m. Thursday before hosting Dallas Christian School on Tuesday for senior night. That's also Grace's regular-season finale.

Gorman hosts Dallas Parish Episcopal School at 7 p.m. Thursday for senior night. The Lady Crusaders visit Rusk on Tuesday for a non-district match.