Lufkin sweeps Tyler Legacy

Published 9:30 pm Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Lufkin’s strong week in the Rose City continued on Tuesday night.

Just days after the Panthers football team took a 31-23 win over Tyler Legacy in the 2022 season opener at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, the Lady Panthers volleyball team came to town.

The Lady Panthers and Lady Raiders played three tightly contested sets, but Lufkin came away with the sweep (25-19, 26-24, 30-28) inside Tyler Legacy Varsity Gymnasium.

It was Legacy’s first home match at night this season. The Lady Raiders played three day matches on the opening day of the Tyler ISD Invitational before playing their final six matches of the event at Tyler High School. Everything else this season has been on the road.

A large crowd, including a Hawaiian-themed student section, was in attendance.

But the visiting Lady Panthers (22-10) were able to overcome the road environment.

The first set was tied at 10 before Lufkin went on an 8-1 run behind the serving of freshman Chesney McCullough.

With Lufkin up 21-14 after an ace by Morgan Kier, Legacy came back with the serving of Adele McCown to cut the score to 21-18 following a kill from Laketa Smith on an assist by Alexis Correa. Lufkin responded with three straight points, capped by an ace from Emma Flores, and following a kill by Mallory Thedford, Libby Flores assisted a kill by Akira Smallwood to give Lufkin the 25-19 win.

With Legacy up 6-3 in the second set, Lufkin went on a 7-0 run. Later in the set, Legacy went ahead 23-22 before Lufkin went back in front 24-23. Legacy tied the score at 24 before a kill by Libby Flores and an ace by McCullough gave Lufkin the 26-24 decision.

Lufkin was up 6-5 in the third set before scoring seven straight points with Emma Flores at the service line. Down 13-5, Legacy went on a 9-1 run to tie the score at 15.

Legacy led 22-19 before Lufkin scored three straight points. With Legacy up 27-26, Courtnee Morgan and McCullough teamed up for a block for the Lady Panthers before a kill by Legacy’s Shelby Huntsberger to tie the score at 28.

Lufkin got a kill from Smallwood on an assist by Libby Flores, an ace from Emma Flores and then another kill by Smallwood on the assist by Libby Flores to close the match.

Legacy will host No. 25 Rockwall in the District 10-6A opener on Sept. 9. Lufkin plays at Longview on Friday.