John Tyler to face Royse City in bi-district

Published 5:43 pm Monday, October 31, 2011

EMORY — One motto unifies the John Tyler volleyball team and underlies their goal: dig deep. 

Fitting for a volleyball program 13 years removed from going three-rounds deep in the postseason. 

The JT spikers set out to leave their mark in the postseason tonight, and on the gymnasium’s ceiling, where basketball banners decorate the Lions Den, even though the volleyball team is near-regulars in the playoffs. 

JT takes on Royse City in a Class 4A bi-district playoff at Rains High School. The matchup gets under way at 7 p.m. 

“We’re full of pride,” said Jennifer McGowen. “We’ve just got to dig deep, leave it all on the court.”

The Lady Lions (27-13), coached by Stephanie March-Smith, tied for third in District 14-4A, but received the fourth seed to draw the 13-4A champions. Royse City (27-9) rolled through district with a spotless 12-0 mark. 

McGowen, a senior outside hitter, leads JT with 324 kills and 96 blocks. She played on JT’s previous two bi-district finalists’ teams and feels good about the current squad’s chances. 

“This year everyone knows what they’ve got to do,” McGowen said. “We should get past this (round).” 

JT, typically blessed with strong hitters, stressed defense even more this season with players like setter Jocelynn Brown (43 digs), junior defensive specialist Erica Franklin (78 kills, 193 digs, 11 aces), senior defensive specialists Toya Harmon (94 digs), junior setter Quaneshia Johnson (820 assists, 119 digs, 33 kills), senior defensive specialist Ambrianna Mitchell (187 digs) and sophomore defensive specialist Amanda Theaker (187 digs). 

“It all starts with the pass,” said Theaker, who transferred to JT earlier in the year from Florida. “It’s going to take us playing for each other and together. Communication is the first thing, and just being aggressive.”

When it comes to aggression, JT boasts several players capable of putting down kills, including junior outside blocker Breanna Choice (144 kills, 40 blocks), sophomore middle blocker KaShanti Flowers (145 kills, 29 blocks); freshman outside hitter Donisha Rouege (111 kills) and junior outside hitter Amicia Williams (177 kills, 84 digs). 

Royse City (27-9), coached by Robyn Hill, went unbeaten in a district familiar to JT, which lost in three straight games to Denison at the same juncture a year ago. Aniah Philo (244 kills), Erica Poe (165 kills, 273 digs, 58 blocks), Breanna Cole (273 digs) and Kyla Simmons (193 digs) pace the Lady Bulldogs. 

Three six-footers highlight Royse City’s lineup, including Poe and Schelly Stone (80 kills, 52 blocks). 

“The intensity is higher now,” Harmon said. “We have to push ourselves a lot further.”

LIONS’ TALES: The winner between John Tyler and Royse City advances to the area round later in the week to face either Corsicana or Pflugerville Hendrickson. Tickets to the contest cost $3 for students and $5 for adults. To get to Rains High School continue north from Tyler on U.S. Highway 69 and the high school will be on the left side in Emory, which is located approximately 50 miles from Tyler and 42 miles from Royse City.