Troup uses Arp as volleyball playoff tune-up

Troup concluded the regular season at West Rusk Tuesday, Oct. 24. The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Raiders in four games in the first District 15-3A match between the two squads and were expected to repeat the performance this week.

A win over West Rusk would give Troup at least a share of the District 15 championship, pending the outcome of Winona’s match with Sabine Tuesday. Troup and Winona each entered the regular season final matches with a 10-1 record.

Troup head coach Arden Johnson said the Lady Tigers will play their bi-district match Monday, Oct. 30, tentatively at LeTourneau University in Longview. The likely opponent will be New Diana or Elysian Fields.

Troup forged a 25-19 win over Arp in the first game of last week’s match, and dominated action for a 25-16 win in the second game. Arp rallied in the third game but Troup was able to pull away for a 25-19 win to claim the district match. Troup accounted for eight ace serves, 33 kills, 29 assists and 56 digs. Jansen Reid paced the defense with 17 digs, Alex Flora added nine to the team total and Kori Minnix was able to post eight digs. Also, Alyssa Flora finished with seven digs, Savanna Cox had six and Cheyenne Henson recorded four.

Minnix was the leader at the net with 15 of the team’s kills, and Asia Parker was in double figures with 10 kills. Jayla Starks and Cox each had three and Natalie Davenport recorded two kills.

Parker and Henson posted two ace serves apiece and Reid, Minnix, Davenport and Cox each had one.

Parker and Cox also each blocked one shot and Davenport led the team with 29 assists.

Troup improved to 23-11 overall with the win over Arp. Since the Nacogdoches Tournament on Sept. 2, Troup is 12-1 with the only loss to Winona in mid-September. The Lady Tigers recorded a 32-10 mark in games during the district schedule, including a 5-5 mark with Winona. Troup swept Arp and Cumberland twice and Harmony once.

Five seniors concluded their home career with Troup, including Alex Flora and Alyssa Flora, Jansen Reid, Cheyenne Henson and Jayla Starks.

We see you Alex Flora. Alex plays for Coach Mark Murphree and the 18U Vision Elite team. Good Luck in the playoffs!