By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

In a most unlikely of rematches, Westlake’s volleyball team will again attempt to dethrone defending state champion Amarillo after both teams emerged from Friday’s Class 5A semifinals with wins Friday at San Marcos’ Strahan Coliseum.

Last season, Amarillo swept the Chaps to claim its second consecutive 5A title. The Golden Sandstorm will attempt to become the first 5A school to win three consecutive state titles today at  5 p.m.

Both teams return to the state championship match despite massive roster losses inflicted by graduation. The Sandies have just two seniors on their squad, and Westlake includes only three seniors in its rotation.

The gutty showing of one of those seniors helped the Chaps (40-7) overcome Lake Highlands25-23, 25-15, 19-25, 25-21 in yesterday’s semifinal. Abby Howden left in the contest late in the third game after feeling a twinge in her surgically repaired knee. Without the versatile Howden, Westlake struggled to find its offensive rhythm and fell behind 18-13 in the fourth game.

To the welcoming roar of the Westlake crowd, Howden returned to the court and promptly fired a kill that trimmed the Wildcats’ lead to 20-17. Sara Shaw then took over the game for Westlake, firing five of her match-high 26 kills as Westlake closed the contest with a 10-3 run.

“Abby scared me when she went down,” Barrett said. “I was so excited when she came back on the court. She gave us a lift.”

In Howden’s absence, Jennifer Schuler delivered six of her 11 kills against the tenacious defense of Lake Highlands. Howden ended with nine kills, and Hannah Kolar played big at the net with five blocks.

Barrett dished out 44 assists and matched libero Tessa Hunt for team-high honors with 16 digs.

Tori Mellinger led Lake Highlands (45-5) wth 20 kills, and Paige Benton delivered a remarkable defensive performance with 31 digs.