Farmersville senior Graycin Strawn goes in the air for a hit during last Friday’s 3-1 home win over Pleasant Grove. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Although Farmersville and Pleasant Grove are in different districts, they’ve built a competitive on-court rivalry over the years.
The Lady Farmers defeated the Lady Hawks in the area round of the Class 4A playoffs two years ago, but the next two matches were dominated by Pleasant Grove – first in the bi-district round of the 2024 Class 4A Division II playoffs and then earlier this month at the Whitehouse Tournament.
They met again last Friday at Farmersville Arena, but this matchup was won by Farmersville. The Lady Farmers started fast and outlasted a battle-tested Lady Hawks team (25-17, 20-25, 26-24, 25-23).
“I feel like the biggest difference was that we had a lot of grit,” Head Coach Arian May said. “Our defense was incredible. We had a lot of people step up. We had new rotations on Friday. I feel like players needed to step up, which they did. It was an overall team effort instead of relying on one or two people.”
Junior Peighton Purser turned in an all-around effort with 19 kills, 19 digs and seven service aces.
Freshman Nidya Duran gave Farmersville some additional offense with nine kills.
“She’s really earned her position,” May said.
Sophomore Cambrant Donaldson was a big contributor with eight kills and four blocks to pace Farmersville’s defense.
“She’s one of our biggest blockers,” May said. “She has really bought into her role. We’ve kind of play her everywhere, at least on the front row. She is really a diverse hitter.”
Farmersville also featured a new rotation, moving senior Alexia Hernandez from defensive specialist to setter.
Hernandez thrived in her new role and so did her teammates who were playing new roles.
Farmersville was more energized team and won the first set by eight points to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five match.
“I’m not sure what they knew was going to happen, but the fact that we dominated was maybe a little shocking to them, but it brought a lot of confidence in the girls,” May said. “Our serving was really good and was a big reason why we won.”
The defining moment in the match came late in the third set.
Farmersville (22-8) and Pleasant Grove traded blows, but the Lady Farmers outlasted the Lady Hawks by two points to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
“We’ve had several games where we’ve struggled to finish a set,” May said. “The energy was high, and it stayed high the entire time. They were in the moment. It makes me feel that we are more mentally prepared going into district.”
Three days earlier Farmersville cruised to a 25-15, 25-17, 25-17 sweep of Bonham on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Purser led the way offensively with 14 kills and added nine digs and five aces. Junior Isabella Lopez had nine digs and played well in serve-receive.
“Everyone had opportunity to get in and play in different spots,” May said. “We got a chance to work on offense. It was a fun game to play. We had played three tournaments in a row, which is a lot, so it was nice to have a fun match and not a lot of pressure situations.”
Farmersville traveled to North Lamar on Tuesday and are scheduled to start District 13-4A play next Tuesday, hosting Sunnyvale.
“I think that confidence wise, we’re at a high point,” May said. “From here on out, there will be a lot of game planning and really getting to know our opponents. Sunnyvale is a really good team. We have to be on top of our serving and we have to take pride in being a really good defensive team going into district.”
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