Tyler Grace Cruises to Sweep in First Round of TAPPS 2-4A Tournament

TYLER — Rilee Miller and Taylor Kingsley dominated at the net as the Tyler Grace Lady Cougars rolled past Cedar Hill Trinity Christian, 25-11, 25-11, 25-11, Tuesday in the first round of the TAPPS 2-4A district tournament.

Kingsley knocked down 10 kills to go with her one block and six digs in the Lady Cougars’ sweep. Miller also chipped in with 10 kills.

Propelled by Miller’s three aces, Grace easily rolled passed Trinity Christian in Game 1.

Game 2 proved to be a battle for the Lady Cougars. Grace led by one going into the final five points of the game. After a missed serve by Grace, Trinity Christian hoped to pull ahead to guarantee a fourth game, but a kill by Kingsley would secure the game for Grace and give the Lady Cougars a 2-0 lead in the match.

In Game 3, Grace sophomore Bethany Kimmey’s 10 consecutive serves fueled the Lady Cougars to an early 14-6 lead. Janelle Buchanan tried to keep Trinity Christian in the game by knocking down back-to-back aces, but a kill by Miller clinched the game and match for Grace.

“It’s always hard to come out and play a team that you’ve already beaten and not let it get in your head a little bit,” Grace coach Lauren Williams said. “Volleyball is so mental and every night a different team can come out. We are preparing for (Waco Reicher) and they have a great setter who plays all the way around. Last time we played (Reicher), we did not cover well, so defense and coverage are definitely things we will be working on.”

Emma Yeatts recorded eight kills and two digs for the Lady Cougars, and Kristin Braughton chipped in with eight digs.

Karoline Vance collected nine digs, while Tianna Johnson knocked down four kills for Trinity Christian.