In a thrilling District 9-6A showdown on Tuesday, the Wylie Lady Pirates proved why they have dominated the district for the past two seasons. Facing longtime rival Wylie East at the Williams Center, the Pirates rallied from a 0-1 set deficit to win the match 4-1, improving to 24-4 overall and remaining unbeaten in district play at 4-0.
Early momentum for the Raiders
Wylie East entered the match with confidence, capturing the opening set 25-22. Sophomore Tess Adamic led the Raiders with three kills during a decisive 7-2 run that gave them a 1-0 lead in the best‑of‑five series. The set marked the first time since Oct. 8, 2024, that Wylie had dropped a set in district competition, and it came at the hands of their crosstown foe.
Pirates adjust and seize control
Head coach Sherry Olivares said the team needed to “find a way to get it done.” After experimenting with different lineups, the Pirates shifted tactics and began to dominate the rallies. Senior Keelyn Green and junior Makayla Entwistle combined for a crucial block early in the second set, extending the lead to 8-3.
Wylie weathered a surge from the Raiders but reclaimed the momentum, closing the second set 25-23. Senior Aubrey DeGrate contributed three kills in a five‑point stretch that swung the match back in Wylie’s favor, while senior Julia Hudgins finished with a team‑high 21 kills.
Fourth‑set surge seals the win
The Pirates never fell behind in the fourth set, building a comfortable lead that the Raiders could not overcome. Although senior Macy Barcelo fought back with two kills to narrow the gap to 22-19, junior Kinley Tortorich’s block helped Wylie maintain control, and senior Green’s right‑side kill capped the victory.
Olivares praised her squad’s resilience, noting, “We just found a way. We played a little more cleaner than they did at the end.” The win not only preserved Wylie’s perfect district record but also reinforced the program’s championship pedigree as the season heads toward its final stretch.
Coaches reflect on the battle
Wylie East head coach Tasha Hallam highlighted her team’s defensive effort, saying, “Our block went to work tonight. We got a lot of block touches tonight. Defensively, we played one of our best games of the season.” Despite the loss, the Raiders showed strong defensive play throughout, with junior Zoey Williams adding three kills in the second set.
Both coaches emphasized the importance of perseverance and teamwork, underscoring the high‑stakes nature of district competition and the community pride that surrounds the rivalry.
Looking ahead
With the district title within reach, the Lady Pirates will aim to continue their unbeaten run as they prepare for the upcoming playoff schedule. The victory over Wylie East serves as a reminder that, even when faced with early adversity, the team’s determination and depth can carry them to success.
Original reporting: Wylie News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
