Volleyball: Chaps sweep aside Round Rock

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A little balance went a long way as Westlake (12-4) swept aside Round Rock (6-6) in a nondistrict contest Tuesday at Westlake High School.

With injured all-American Sara Shaw receiving some spot duty on the service line and in the back row, the Chaps displayed a variety of weapons while dispatching Round Rock 25-20, 25-17, 25-22. Four players garnered at least four kills, including a team-high nine by Ella Praisner.

“And that’s what we gotta do,” Westlake coach Al Bennett said. “We need that balance, especially with Sara out.”

The only tense moments for Westlake came in the third game. The Dragons took advantage of several lineup experimentations by Bennett as well as strong showings by sophomore sensation Trisha Langley and setter Marisa Parrish to seize a 19-15 lead. Undaunted, Bennett stuck with some of his backups and watched them rally for the win.

“We tried to mix some things up and get some different looks,” he said. “Fortunately it worked out, even though there were some inconsistencies in that third game.”

Setter Amanda Welsh, who did not play in the first two games, helped the team rally for a 20-19 lead with two aces and four consecutive service points. She also had three assists as the Chaps closed the game with a 4-1 run.

“Our passing was a little rough in that third game, but we picked it up and that’s why we got the win,” sophomore Paige Caridi said. “With Sara out, we all have to step up. We have the same standards whether she’s playing or not, and if we don’t step up, we don’t win.”

Caridi has stepped up in her first varsity season, and she delivered another strong game with eight kills and a block against Round Rock. Middle blocker Kenzie Hume added six kills and two blocks, and libero Tessa Hunt had 21 digs and four aces.

Avery Edwards and Jenny Astrachan split setting duties through the first two games. Edwards dished out a team-high 17 assists, while Astrachan added nine assists and 11 digs.

Langley led all players with 10 kills, and Parrish had 24 assists for the District 16-5A Dragons.

Westlake travels to Pearland Thursday for its final predistrict tournament of the season.