Alamo 15s Kaepa kept its undefeated streak alive by surviving a strong challenge from Houston Juniors to win the Texas Championship Series Sunday in Dallas.

Alamo Fights Off Houston Juniors For TCS Title

March 2 – The third time was no charm for Houston Juniors. Instead, it was just another frustrating loss to Alamo’s powerful 15s Kaepa team, which rebounded from an opening game loss, then came from behind in game three to capture the Texas Championship Series title 21-25, 25-11, 15-12.

Meeting for the third time in the finals of a TCS event, Alamo obviously wasn’t at the top of its game and Houston took full advantage with spectacular defensive saves and timely kills to jump to a quick lead then held off a late Alamo run to take the opening game.

A little stunned, Jennifer Banse, Mary Batis and Jessica Glover took over in the second game with a typically dominating hitting and blocking performance to tie the match. Houston wasn’t through, however, taking advantage of a couple of Alamo mistakes for a quick lead in the deciding game. Alamo responded and at 11-11 ran off three straight to go to match point. After Houston cut it to 14-12, Banse took a perfect set from Samantha Dabbs and it was time to hit I35 and head home with yet another tournament championship.

“Oh yeah, it’s tough for the girls to play the same team three times in a row,” said Alamo coach Keith Wilson. “They had us well scouted and had made adjustments from the last time we played them. Plus, we were missing serves, missing sets and doing things we don’t usually do. But the girls stepped up when they had to and made the plays.”

For Houston, there is some consolation in knowing that they are getting closer to knocking off one of the nation’s top teams. Alamo won the first meeting between the teams 25-14, 25-19, but Houston came within 25-23, 26-24 at the February TCS stop.

Alamo advanced to the finals by sweeping pool play then knocking off Texas Tornados 25-19, 25-19 in the semifinals. Houston also won its pool then eliminated a good AMV Black team in the semis 25-18, 25-22.

“Everyone contributed all weekend,” said Houston Juniors coach Mitch Casteel. “That’s the best thing about this team. No one girl really stands out. Every one of them contributes.”

In the 14s division, Texas Tornados beat Alamo 25-22, 25-16 in the championship match. Alamo advanced to the finals with a 26-24, 25-16 win over Austin Juniors while the Tornados survived a strong challenge by Dallas Summit 27-25, 25-23.

Official final standings and complete results from the weekend will be posted Monday on the Texas Championship Series site (see link below).

Results

15 and Under
1. Alamo Kaepa
2. Houston Juniors
3. Texas Tornados
3. AMV Black
5. Willowbrook
6. South Belt
7. Austin Juniors
8. AIM
9. Dallas Skyline Roshambo
10. Alamo Gold
11. Dallas Summit
12. West Texas Juniors
13. Spike Sport
14. Club Texas Black
15. Centex
16. Alamo Silver

14 and Under
1. Texas Tornados
2. Alamo Kaepa
3. Austin Juniors Navy
3. Dallas Summit
5. Victory National
6. Lady Aces
7. Austin Juniors Red
8. Katy Juniors Lori
9. Centex
10. North Austin Elite
11. Texas Elite
12. Copperfield Green
13. Alamo Silver
14. Dallas Skyline Roshambo

Complete Results and Final Standings

 

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