Volleyball Roundup: Christoval Wins First-Ever Area Playoff Trophy

CLYDE, TX — The Christoval volleyball team’s breakthrough season continued Tuesday with a four-set win over Archer City in the area round of the 2A Division II playoffs.

After a decisive opening set, the Lady Cougars had a battle on their hands before prevailing 25-12, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22.

Christoval improved to 30-8, while Archer City’s season ended at 13-14.

The No. 19-ranked Lady Cougars move on to the regional semifinals later this week to face unranked Vega (20-15).

Christoval started its volleyball program in 2022 and had the growing pains you would expect, including a four-win season just two years ago.

They’ve made a remarkable climb since then with 17 wins last year, followed by this year’s historic season, which included the program’s first district title and now its first two playoff trophies.

5 Other Concho Valley Teams Moving On to Third Round

Christoval will be joined in the third round of the playoffs by five other schools from around the Concho Valley.

No. 6-ranked Wall (32-4) punched its ticket Monday with a sweep over Tolar. The Lady Hawks now draw No. 2 Odessa Compass (38-4) in a huge clash in the 3A Division II regional semifinals.

In 2A Division I, Ballinger continued its long-awaited playoff run with a five-set comeback over Olney after dropping the first two sets.

The Lady Cats (24-14), who revived their program in 2021, are in the playoffs for the first time since 1970 and making the most of it. They’ll face No. 13 Ropes or No. 22 Sanford-Fritch in the next round.

In 1A, we have a trio of ranked teams — No. 2 Water Valley, No. 6 Veribest and No. 10 Sterling City — who advanced past the area round Tuesday.

Water Valley (25-8-1) will play unranked Wellman-Union (18-11) in the regional quarterfinals. Veribest (32-8) will face No. 11 Fort Davis (17-8), and Sterling City (35-5) will play No. 14 Klondike (26-13).

Teams whose seasons ended Tuesday included TLCA San Angelo, which was in the area round for the first time since 2018. The Lady Eagles lost in four sets to Boyd.

Bronte, the No. 23-ranked team in 1A, was swept by Buena Vista.

In 2A, Junction was swept by No. 1 Freer, while Coleman lost in four sets to Nocona.