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high school sportsVolleyball

Class 5A volleyball semis: What to expect from Carroll-SA Churchill

5 p.m. Friday at Curtis Culwell Center

Southlake Carroll (48-1)

A spot in the state championship will require Carroll to muster up a repeat performance of its 25-17, 25-23 sweep of Churchill at the Pearland Tournament. Both teams have come a long way since that match in mid-August. Senior libero and Texas pledge Cat McCoy leads Carroll’s standout defense with 563 digs. Carroll has five hitters with 199 kills or more, including Madison Drescher (275), Timarie Nymeyer (272), Christen Sikora (247), Megan Porter (199) and Katie Martin (199). Carroll is competing in its second state tournament and first at the Class 5A level. It lost to Dumas in the 4A championship in 1998.

San Antonio Churchill (46-2)

A two-loss Churchill team should not be overlooked by any of the state semifinalists. Sophomore Abby Buckingham, a 6-1 outside hitter committed to Texas, is the centerpiece of Churchill’s attack. She’s racked up 733 kills to go with her 56 aces and 75 blocks. Junior middle blocker Taylor Martinez has contributed 289 kills, and setter Karley York has 954 assists. Senior Amy Nettles who signed with Texas A&M last week, is a defensive specialist. She has 691 digs, 48 aces and 143 kills. Churchill is competing in its eighth state tournament and first since 1998.