Memorial teammates Kirbee Bowman (1), Jessica Elkins (6), Amy Fuller (7) and Andee Turner (9) let their emotions fly after securing the winning point in the fifth and final game against Channelview.
Memorial High's volleyball team survived two elimination points in the fifth game of a frantic state playoff opener against Channelview Tuesday night at Phillips Field House and advanced to the next round on an otherwise calm tip at the net by senior Amy Fuller.
The Lady Mavs scored seven of the final eight points in the contest -- including the final four points -- to steal what looked like a sure victory for the Falcons.
Memorial will face Ft. Bend Clements in second-round play today at 6 p.m. at Dawson High School in Pearland.
Trailing 13-9 and then 14-12 in the 15-point fifth game, Memorial staged a closing kick that resulted in the Lady Mavs claiming the game, 16-14, for a 3-2 match victory.
After the two teams swapped 25-23 victories, Memorial appeared to take control with a 25-10 pounding of the Falcons in the third game. But Channelview bounced back to take the fourth game in a 28-26 nailbiter.
Jessica Elkins led the Lady Mavs with 15 kills while Fuller added 13.
The Lady Mavs, runners-up to Deer Park in the District 22-5A race, were the only Pasadena ISD team to survive the first round. Third-place Dobie fell to Baytown Sterling 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-14) in the match preceding the Memorial-Channelview contest.
Fourth-place Sam Rayburn lost to North Shore on Monday night.
Memorial sophomore Kaylee Berkley flips the ball over Channelview's front line.
Sophomore Gwen Christ scores on a tap over Channelview defenders Malicia Fluellen (5) and Shelby Campbell (7).
Andee Turner (9) and Kirbee Bowman position themselves for the next point.
Memorial junior Kirbee Bowman counters the Falcons' net charge with a soft volley.
Christa Wells (3) Kaylee Berkley (12), Jessica Elkins (6) and Kirbee Bowman perform their volleyball ballet after winning a point.
Dobie sophomore Bre'Shaun Franklin (11) lifts the ball over Baytown Sterling defender Raegan Guidry (12) during the Lady Longhorns' three-game loss to the Lady Rangers.
Dobie senior Courtney Franklin (12) slams the ball home.
Dobie's Amber Nguyen (17), Bre'Shaun Franklin (11) and Sobia Bhatty (4) celebrate a point.
