Neches Coach Jenna Jenkins

The Neches Lady Tigers had another oustanding season, advancing to the UIL state volleyball tournament for the fifth time in school history.

But it was defending champion Blum who captured the Class 1A semifinal victory on Wednesday at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.

The Lady Cats won 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-16).

Blum (39-7) advances to meet Harrold (37-7) in the 1A state title game at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Neches (32-10) was appearing its fifth state tournament. The Lady Tigers have won three state championships (2018, 2019, 2020). Neches also appeared in the state tourney in 1973.

Jenna Jenkins is head coach of Neches. Her assistants are Megan Nichols and Dylan Varnon.

Team members include: 5-7 junior Joely Jenkins, 5-3 junior Madi Gordon, 5-8 sophomore Kathryn Morgan, 5-9 senior Jessi Sumpter, 6-0 junior Kacie Trimble, 5-2 freshman Mattie Main, 5-8 senior Juliana Carrizales, 4-4 junior Rylee Jowell, 5-7 junior Grace Hawkins, 5-7 junior Aubrey Kincade, 5-10 senior Averee Fox, 5-10 junior Sealy Hines and 6-0 sophomore Addison Spaith.

Managers are Adam Jenkins and Libby Raine.

On Wednesday, Trimble led the Lady Tigers with nine kills,, followed by Hines (6), Kincade (3), Fox (3) and Carrizales (3). Joely Jenkins had 22 assists.

Trimble added four aces with two by Hines.

Jowell paced the Lady Tigers with 11 digs. Others adding digs were Hines (7), Kincade (6), Carrizales (5), Joely Jenkins (5), Trimble (4), Fox (1) and Gordon (1).

Addison Willingham led Blum with 14 kills, followed by Emma Scott (7), Payden Sanders (7) and Kinsley McPherson (6). Ruby Rumohr led with 29 assists. Skylar Allen and Kaydee Roland each had four aces. Kayden Arrington contributed 22 digs with Rumohr and McPherson adding 13 and 11, respectively.

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2023 UIL Volleyball State Championships

Nov. 15-18 Curtis Culwell Center, Garland

Wednesday, Nov. 15

Class 1A Semifinals

Blum def. Neches, 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-16)

Harrold def. Bronte, 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 25-14)

Class 2A Semifinals

Windthorst (44-5) vs. Crawford def. Windthorst, 3-0 (29-27, 26-24, 25-16)

Iola def. Schulenburg, 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 19-25, 25-22)

Thursday, Nov. 16 Class 3A Semifinals

Columbus (43-5) vs. Gunter (34-11), 11 a.m.

Bushland (41-6) vs. Nacogdoches Central Heights (42-9), 1 p.m.

Class 1A Final: Blum (39-7) vs. Harrold (37-7), 3 p.m.

Class 4A Semifinals

Comal Davenport (45-5) vs. Celina (35-7), 5 p.m.

Canyon Randall (42-4) vs. Salado (39-10), 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 17 Class 5A Semifinals

Liberty Hill (45-8) vs. Colleyville Heritage (40-10), 11 a.m..

Lamar Fulshear (40-4) vs. Lucas Lovejoy (32-10), 1 p.m.

Class 2A Final: Crawford (43-7) vs. Iola (50-1), 3 p.m.

Class 6A Semifinals

Conroe Grand Oaks (48-1) vs. Prosper (37-9), 5 p.m.

San Antonio Harlan (44-5) vs. Katy Cinco Ranch (37-5), 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 18 Finals

Class 3A Final, 11 a.m.

Class 4A Final, 1 p.m.

Class 5A Final, 3 p.m.

Class 6A Final, 5 p.m.

Doors will open one hour prior to the first match.