Pine Tree downs GHS in bi-district match
November 2, 2010

By Steve Shwarts
Herald-Banner Staff

LINDALE -- Longview Pine Tree showed why the Pirates are 19th in the latest state volleyball rankings with a 25-12, 25-8, 25-16 Class 4A bi-district playoff victory over Greenville on Monday.

Pine Tree, now 33-10 for the season, advances to the area round to play traditional power Red Oak.

Greenville finishes the year at 18-17.

"We looked and played scared," said Greenville coach Melissa Anderson. "We looked like a deer in headlights. Pine Tree is an experienced playoff team. I'm proud of my team, the way they played today. I look forward to next year."

Pine Tree jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first game, behind the serving of Emily Shelton, Lauren Cude and Jane Anne Blount. The Lady Pirates won the first game fairly easy.

Pine Tree rolled up a 5-1 lead in the second game before Jenny Hardaway put away a kill for the Lady Lions and Maygan Bloyed served an ace. Greenville tied it at 5-5 with a kill from LaBrandi Mayberry and an errant shot by the Lady Pirates.

Shelton served for four straight points for Pine Tree, which suddenly jumped back out to a 17-7 lead. Greenville scored only one more point during the rest of that game.

The Lady Pirates jumped out to a 4-0 advantage in the third game. Greenville closed to within 5-4 on a couple of Maddy Crabtree kills and a couple of Mayberry kills. Greenville stayed close at 9-6 before the Lady Pirates pulled away for a 17-10 advantage.

MacKenzie Cooper, Shanterria Riley and Emelie Kilgore helped the Lady Lions close to within 17-15.

Then the Lady Pirates put the pedal to the metal and scored eight of the game's final nine points to close out the match.

Bloyed, Kilgore and Riley served for Greenville aces.

Riley led the Lady Lions in assists with seven, and Ashley Walden had two.

Cooper and Mayberry topped the Lady Lions in kills with three, Crabtree and Hardaway had two.

Cooper led the Lady Lions in blocks with four, Bloyed had two and Kilgore one.

Crabtree had three digs for the Lady Lions, Jennifer Martinez had two, Bloyed had one.