Farmersville junior libero Brinlea McDole helped the Lady Farmers to win seven consecutive matches to end the regular season. Photo by Tina Lopez / C&S Media
By David Wolman
The Farmersville volleyball team will begin the Class 4A Division II playoffs against a familiar foe: Pleasant Grove.
Tonight’s bi-district match at Prairiland High School marks the fourth consecutive year that the Lady Farmers and Lady Hawks will meet in the first round and the eighth time overall since 2023 that the two schools have played.
Farmersville defeated Pleasant Grove in four sets in the area round in 2023 on its way to an appearance in the third round, but that year marked the last time that the Lady Farmers advanced past bi-district. The Lady Hawks have dispatched the Lady Farmers in the opening round in each of the last two years, including a 25-20, 25-14, 22-25, 25-21 win last season. Farmersville exacted a measure of revenge Sept. 11 when it earned an 18-25, 25-17, 25-16, 23-25, 15-7 win over Pleasant Grove (27-16).
A red-hot finish to District 13-4A play could help Farmersville (31-11) get over the hump.
The Lady Farmers won seven straight matches to conclude the regular season, which included Farmersville defeating district champion Sunnyvale in a five-set thriller for their first win over the Lady Raiders in four years.
Farmersville followed that up with a 3-0 win over a Caddo Mills team that was ranked in the top 25 in Class 4A for several weeks.
Last week, Farmersville earned a 25-18, 25-18, 25-16 road win over Quinlan Ford to conclude the regular season.
A big reason for optimism is improved balance on offense.
Senior outside hitter Peighton Purser has carried the offensive load, but she has received great support from freshman Emree Brazil, transfer Lillian Couture, junior Cambrant Donaldson, seniors Aaliya Corzine and Presley McIver and sophomore Nidya Duran. Couture hit .500 during district play.
Farmersville has been backed with great defensive play in the back row from senior libero Isabella Lopez, junior libero Brinlea McDole and sophomore defensive specialist Presley Lopez.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Pleasant Grove.
The Lady Hawks lost three straight district matches against North Lamar, Paris and Sulphur Springs but followed with wins over Pittsburg, North Lamar and Bonham to conclude the regular season.
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