By DAVID MCNABB / Special Contributor
GARLAND -- Lovejoy took just over an hour to get back into the Class 5A volleyball state final.
With a blistering 25-18, 25-10 and 25-12 semifinal victory over Richmond George Ranch, defending state champion Lovejoy gets a state final rematch against Dripping Springs at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Curtis Culwell Center.
Lovejoy (44-6) is looking for its seventh state title in the last eight years. Loaded with TCU signee Sarah Langs, Mississippi signee Jordan Fate, TCU beach volleyball signee Avery Arellano and junior Illinois pledge Lexie Smith, Loevjoy defeated Dripping Springs in three sets last year. All four of those Lovejoy players are back this year.
Making its first state tournament appearance, 6-year-old George Ranch (41-8) couldn't hold off the pounding of 32 kills from the 6-3 Langs (13), 6-2 Callie Holden (13) and 6-0 Haley Deschenes (six). Fate had 29 assists to George Ranch's team total of 21.
"We were passing so well, Jordan could go to any three hitters and it's hard for the other team to know where to go," Langs said.
In the second set, George Ranch made three digs in one volley before Lovejoy hammered home a winner to go up 24-8. Lovejoy also filled holes on defense with Arellano and Smith each getting a team-high nine digs.
"When they just keep picking it up, it's hard to get any energy going your way," George Ranch senior Ambrielle Logan said.
Lovejoy has rolled back to the championship match by winning 18 of 19 playoffs sets. The only setback was the first set in a regional quarterfinal match against Frisco.
Dripping Springs (50-3) defeated Canyon Randall in three sets in its semifinal in only an hour. Dripping Springs is in its third consecutive state tournament and is led by Texas signee Autumn Rounsaville, Florida signee Morgyn Greer and TCU signee Ashley Waggle.
It's a much anticipated matchup of two of the state's top-ranked programs. Dripping Springs coach Michael Kane even made the trip to North Texas to check in on a Lovejoy district match.
"I think we snuck up on people a little last year" Lovejoy coach Jason Nicholson said. "I don't think we're sneaking up on anybody this year."
Dripping Springs d. Canyon Randall, 25-18, 25-15, 25-12: All-state outside hitter Morgyn Greer had 15 kills and 13 digs to lead Dripping Springs to a 5A semifinal sweep. Ashley Waggle added 10 kills for Dripping Springs, and Madison Green had 28 assists.