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With three wins over top 10 squads, Hebron volleyball team has reason for optimism

CARROLLTON – The sixth-ranked Hebron volleyball team looks more than ready to face two-time defending state champion Coppell.

Hebron closed out the non-district portion of its schedule with a resounding sweep of seventh-ranked Plano, 25-17, 25-16, 25-23 on Tuesday.

Now Hebron will set its sights on a District 5-5A title, and coach Karin Keeney hopes to take a major step toward that goal against Coppell on Friday.

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“It’s a good time for us to open with Coppell,” Keeney said. “We’re on a roll right now and I hope the girls can give Coppell a run for their money.”

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There are at least two good reasons for Hebron to be optimistic about its chances.

Hebron (25-9) has won three matches in a row against teams ranked in SportsDay’s area top 10. It also beat Coppell in last year’s district opener – the last loss Coppell suffered before rattling off 16 straight wins on the way to a 5A title.

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Setter Hannah Holloway helped set the tone early for Hebron on Tuesday with some aggressive serving. She kickstarted a 5-0 run to open the match during her first trip to the service zone. She then served Hebron to a 9-0 run later in the first game to pull away for the win.

The second set brought more of the same, when Holloway served Hebron out of a 14-12 deficit and into a 19-14 lead. The senior had five aces.

“Plano has such big hitters so we had to get them out of their system,” Keeney said. “Hannah’s aggressive serving helped us to do that.”

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Outside hitter Brookah Palmer led Hebron with 12 kills, and Jordan Yauch and Lauren Kirch combined for three blocks.

Plano (18-9) has been hot and cold with its passing game this season, and coach Teri Minnis was disappointed to see the team go cold in its own final tune-up before district.

Plano opens District 10-5A play at McKinney on Friday.

“It’s come and gone for us throughout this season,” Minnis said of Plano’s passing. “Some matches we pass really well, and others we don’t. We forgot how to pass tonight.”

Follow David Just on Twitter at @DavidJustDMN.

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