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New Braunfels knocked off Wimberley Saturday night to capture the championship of the Fraulein Fest. Earlier, Wimberley had eliminated top-ranked Austin Westlake.

New Braunfels Claims Fraulein Fest Championship

Wimberley Knocks Out Westlake In Semifnals

By Butch Hart

2001 Class 4A state champion New Braunfels was hoping for a shot at defending Class 5A 2002 state champion Westlake in the finals of the Fraulein Volleyfest Saturday in New Braunfels, but fate intervened. The lady Unicorns got their title and staked claim on another strong team with high aspirations, but the finals victory was a near afterthought as New Braunfels defeated Wimberley 26-24, 25-21 in the finals.

“The girls worked hard against New Braunfels and the lady Unicorns deserve the credit but we were just flat after coming off the win over Westlake,” said Lee Grisham.

Yes, Wimberley’s lady Texas the 2001 and 2002 state Class 3A champions and arguably the best high school team in the state last year beat the Chaps 16-25, 25-19, 25-22.

Each team was minus a key starter as Westlake middle blocker Shannon Davis was sidelined from last weekend’s Duncanville tournament with a slight concussion and Wimberley’s Caitlin Rainbird left the team to attend the funeral of her grandfather. The chaps pounded Wimberley 25-16 to win game one but the lady Texans rallied to win games two and three by notching 10 blocks as a team led by Brittnay Ables who had 5.5 blocks. Courtney McCrocklin led the offense with five kills while Jesi Grisham had 18 assists and 11 digs for the victorious Texans. Ranked first in the state Class 5A polls and defending champion, Westlake was beaten Tuesday night by San Antonio Churchill but came into the Fraulein Volleyfest as the odds on favorite to claim the title.

The lady Chaps blasted into the semi-final by beating LaVernia 25-14, 25-16 and pounding Hurst L.D. Bell 25-16, 25-17 to win a spot opposite two time defending Class 3A state champion Wimberley. New Braunfels was impressive in beating Austin High and Hays before locking up with Westwood in a three game battle with the Unicorns prevailing 25-18, 13-25, 25-16 despite 14 kills by lady Warrior middle blocker Nickie Thomas.

Westwood defeated New Braunfels Canyon for fifth place 25-17, 26-24 as Thomas added nine more kills for the 11-3 lady Warriors. New Braunfels ousted Judson in the other semi-final. Similar to her 2001 champions, Phyllis Fowlers has a strong team with excellent depth and a superb setter, Fowler’s daughter. Jackie Lucas, Gin Mozeley, Valerie Popp, Erica Wendell and Jennifer Baerwald all played well for the Unicorns who rebounded from a loss to Boerne in the finals of the San Antonio North tournament last week to defend their home court.

In other Central Texas action, St. Michael’s Academy, playing without three time all state outside hitter Michael Faulkner, beat Stony Point 25-13, 25-15, 15-25, 29-27. Natalie Peters and Lauren Brown had ten kills each while Katie Hirsch added nine kills. Sophomore setter Dylan Faulkner was sidelined during the third game with a broken nose.

In a small school tournament, Lago Vista edged tournament host Hutto to win the 16-team lady Hippo Invitational and Port Neches Grove improved to 9-1 by beating Beaumont Central 25-5, 25-14, and 25-9.