GROESBECK — John Tyler captured first place in the Second Annual Back-to-School Bash with wins over Taylor and host Groesbeck on Saturday.

The Lady Lions ended the tournament with a spotless 6-0 mark.

JT opened the day with a sweep over Taylor (25-12, 25-22) and followed with a win over Groesbeck (16-25, 25-19, 26-24) in a matchup of unbeatens.

Amicia Williams (10 kills, two blocks), Erica Franklin (nine kills, four aces) and Breanna Choice (four kills, four blocks) led the way for JT in the finale.

“Groesbeck was a good team,” JT coach Stephanie March-Smith said. “We had to play (well).”

Franklin recorded six kills and Kashanti Flowers added five kills against Taylor. Aaliyah Waalee, a sophomore recently promoted to varsity, served 10 consecutive points in the victory.

March-Smith credited Franklin for her senior leadership and paid compliments to sophomore Donishia Rouege for her serving and Breanna Choice for her contributions to the front and back rows.

The Lady Lions improved to 10-7 after entering the tournament three games under .500. JT lost six games in tournament action last week before reversing course with six wins over the three-day span of the round robin event.

“We looked so much better than last week,” March-Smith said. “We needed those wins.”

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Second Annual Back-to-School Bash

At Groesbeck High School

John Tyler 2, Taylor 0

John Tyler 25  25

Taylor       12  22

KILLS LEADERS — JT: Erica Franklin, 6; Kashanti Flowers, 5.

DIGS LEADERS — JT: Breanna Choice, 7; Dakia Allen, 5.

BLOCKS — JT: Choice, Franklin, Quaneshia Johnson.

SERVICE POINTS (ACES) — JT: Aaliyah Waalee, 14 (3).

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John Tyler 2, Groesbeck 1

John Tyler    16  25  26

Groesbeck    25  19  24

KILLS LEADERS — JT: Amicia Williams, 10; Erica Franklin, 9; Breanna Choice, 4.

BLOCKS — Choice, 4; Williams, 2.

SERVICE POINTS (ACES) — JT: Franklin, 16 (4), Donishia Rouege, 12 (1).

RECORDS — John Tyler 10-7.

NEXT UP — John Tyler at White Oak, Tuesday.