Players for the Farmersville team run onto the court to celebrate a 3-0 win over Spring Hill in the area round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs at Grand Saline High School on Tuesday. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
GRAND SALINE — Trailing by eight points in the second set, Farmersville senior outside hitter Peighton Purser knew her team needed a spark.
She provided it.
Purser helped ignite a furious comeback from a 17-9 deficit, and the Lady Farmers went on to sweep Spring Hill 25-15, 28-26, 25-16 in a Class 4A Division II area-round volleyball match Tuesday at Grand Saline High School.
The Sam Houston State commit finished with a match-high 20 kills, including six during Farmersville’s second-set rally, as the Lady Farmers extended their winning streak to 10 matches.
“We’ve struggled with the second set a little bit throughout the season, but we really dug deep in the second set tonight,” said Purser, who finished the match with 20 kills, six coming during Farmersville’s furious rally in the second set. “I’m not ready to go home yet.”
Farmersville improved to 34-11 and advanced to face Ponder in the regional semifinals later this week. The time and location had not been determined.
Spring Hill finished its season at 26-17.
After cruising to a 25-15 victory in the opening set, Farmersville appeared to lose its rhythm in the second.
The Lady Farmers committed eight errors — four missed serves and four attacks that landed out of bounds — as Spring Hill built a 17-9 advantage.
With the Lady Panthers threatening to even the match, Purser took control.
She recorded two kills and a block over the next three points, providing the spark Farmersville needed to begin chipping away at the deficit.
The Lady Farmers eventually surged ahead 24-22 on a service ace by junior Brinlea McDole.
But Spring Hill refused to surrender the set.
The Lady Panthers scored three consecutive points, taking a 25-24 lead after a Farmersville error.
Junior middle hitter Lillian Couture responded with a kill to keep the Lady Farmers alive.
The teams continued battling through the closing points before a Spring Hill hitting error gave Farmersville a 28-26 victory and a commanding two-set lead.
For Farmersville head coach Arian May, the comeback demonstrated the composure her team has developed throughout the season.
“We struggled in the second set,” May said. “I don’t know if it was because we came out so strong in the first set. It’s almost like we relaxed. We talked about it all the time. We even talked about it before the second set. But it was nice to have that deficit and push through. Peighton Purser stepped up in big moments there.”
Farmersville also received strong defensive contributions from its back row.
McDole, senior defensive specialist Isabella Lopez, sophomore Presley Lopez and sophomore Bryley Welborn came up with timely digs to help slow Spring Hill’s offense.
“Credit to my back row,” May said. “They had a great night.”
The Lady Farmers needed that defensive effort again in the third set.
Spring Hill jumped out to an 8-4 lead following a kill by Brooklyn Thompson, putting Farmersville in another early hole.
But as they had in the second set, the Lady Farmers remained composed and worked their way back.
A Spring Hill hitting error eventually put Farmersville ahead for good.
Purser then delivered the final blow, recording her 20th kill on match point to complete the sweep and send the Lady Farmers into the regional semifinals.
For Purser, the victory reflected the determination of a team eager to extend its postseason run.
“We all just want it so bad,” Purser said. “This season is so much different than the last three years. Everybody wants it so much more. I feel that really helps.”
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