John Tyler's Quaneshia Johnson serves against Henderson on Thursday. (Sarah A. Miller | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

 

John Tyler defended its home court, sweeping all three pool play matches Thursday at the Tyler Invitational to qualify for the championship bracket.

The Lady Lions joined Hallsville, North Lamar and Quitman as pool winners.

The top teams in each of the eight pools advance to the championship bracket, set to begin on Saturday at Lions Den on the JTHS campus. 

JT (14-5) earned all its wins in straight sets over Alba-Golden (25-18, 31-29), Henderson (25-13, 25-18) and New Boston (25-16, 25-7).

Robert E. Lee finished 1-2 in its pool at its home gymnasium, dropping the Lady Raiders into the silver bracket. Lee lost its opening match in nail-biting fashion to Mabank (18-25, 28-26, 25-23)/ The Lady Raiders bounced back to beat Bullard (25-23, 25-22) before losing to Quitman (25-19, 25-22).

North Lamar failed to lose a set in winning its pool, beating Whitehouse in the key match (25-12, 25-18). Whitehouse placed second in its group, putting them in the gold bracket on Saturday.

Hallsville looked impressive in three easy triumphs, winning five of six games by double digits.

The second half of pool play resumes today. Defending champion White Oak will be in action.

Tyler Invitational

Thursday’s Pool Play Results*

Pool A (At John Tyler High School)

John Tyler d. Alba Golden, 25-18, 31-29; Henderson d. New Boston, 25-15, 25-15; Alba-Golden d. New Boston, 25-19, 25-15; John Tyler d. Henderson, 25-13, 25-18; John Tyler d. New Boston, 25-16 25-7; Alba-Golden d. Henderson, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23.

Standings: 1, John Tyler; 2, Alba-Golden; 3, Henderson; 4, New Boston. 

Pool B (At John Tyler High School)

North Lamar d. Rains, 26-24; 25-21; Whitehouse d. Pittsburg, 23-25, 25-15, 25-14; Rains d. Pittsburg, 25-19, 25-19; North Lamar d. Whitehouse, 25-12, 25-18; North Lamar d. Pittsburg 25-11, 25-20; Whitehouse d. Rains, 25-19, 25-23.

Standings: 1, North Lamar; 2, Whitehouse; 3, Rains; 4, Pittsburg.

Pool C (At Robert E. Lee High School)

Mabank d. Robert E. Lee, 18-25, 28-26, 25-23; Quitman d. Bullard, 25-20, 25-16; Robert E. Lee d. Bullard, 25-23, 25-22; Quitman d. Robert E. Lee, 25-19, 25-22; Mabank d. Bullard, 25-23, 26-24.

Standings: 1, Quitman; 2, Mabank; 3, Robert E. Lee; 4, Bullard.

Pool D (At Robert E. Lee High School)

Hallsville d. Marlin, 25-10, 25-14; Fort Worth Eastern Hills d. Jasper, 25-16, 25-15; Hallsville d. Jasper, 25-8, 25-10; Marlin d. Fort Worth Eastern Hills, 25-21, 15-25, 26-24; Marlin d. Jasper, 25-21, 25-18; Hallsville d. Eastern Hills, 25-21, 25-14.

Standings: 1, Hallsville; 2, Marlin; 3, Fort Worth Eastern Hills; 4, Jasper.

*—Teams finishing first advance to the championship bracket, with second-place going to the gold bracket, third-place falling to the silver bracket, and fourth-place dropping to the bronze bracket.

Friday’s Schedule#

Pool E — 1, Longview; 2, Pine Tree; 3, Troup; 4, Eustace; Pool F — 1, Nacogdoches; 2, Arp; 3, Canyon Creek; 4, Carthage; Pool G — 1, White Oak; 2, Lancaster; 3, Whitesboro; 4, Kilgore; Pool H — 1, New Diana; 2, Marshall; 3, Lindale; 4, Texas High.

Match Times

12:30 — 1 vs. 4; 1:45 — 2 vs. 3; 3:00 — 2 vs. 4; 4:15 — 1 vs. 3; 5:30 — 1 vs. 2; 6:45 — 3 vs. 4.

# — Pools E-F will play at John Tyler, Pools G-H will play at Robert E. Lee