The Thorndale Lady Bulldogs state tournament run came to an end on Wednesday night with a three-set loss to Lindsay.
“It was a great season, and the fans and town was so supportive. We were proud to be the first girls team to get here in volleyball; we just didn’t play our best,” Thorndale coach Angel Raines told the Austin American-Statesman after the game.
The Lady Bulldogs were shutout by the Lady Knights 8-25, 15-25, 16-25. Lindsay, who were regional semi-finalists in 2017, lost the UIL 2A state championship game to Beckville in a tiebreaker, 25-23, 19-25, 25-18, 18-25, 16-14 last Thursday. The Beckville Lady Bearcats were regional finalists in class 3A last year before dropping to class 2A and winning the 2018 UIL state championship.
“Lindsay was a very tough team. They made very few errors and capitalized on our mistakes,” said Raines. “We didn’t even play close to our best, and we didn’t do a lot of the little things necessary to win. But what we accomplished this year was extraordinary.”
Those accomplishments include the Lady Bulldogs first ever appearance in the volleyball state tournament, taking down volleyball teams Burton, Freer, Snook, Refugio and Somerville, placing second in District 25-2A with a 9-2 district record and 27-15 overall and five players getting all district honors.
“This season was a bit of a roller coaster ride. But to end our season at the state tournament was simply amazing,” she said. “The state tournament is something so special that few get to experience.”
Maddie Smith and Leschber led Thorndale at the net and on defense with seven and five digs each and nine and six digs respectively.
“I am proud of each of these girls and very proud for our five seniors Elise Biar, Maddie Flores, Landri Leschber, Hannah Laurence and Jordyn Smith,” she said. “They each brought a lot to our team and leave big shoes to fi ll.”
Two of those seniors were named to the All-District first team, Leschber and Flores and Jordyn Smith received second team honors.
Laywell, who will be returning next year, won setter of the year
Maddie Smith, the younger sister of Jordyn, who will return to the team as a senior next year, shared the defensive MVP award with Claire Segmound of Thrall.
Rainey Buchanan, Ashley Pesl and Allison Albert who will also return to the court next season, made the academic all district team. All three saw a lot of floor time, and middle hitter Jayci Martinka will also return to the Lady Bulldogs who spent most of the season injured.
The rest of the all academic team includes Biar, Flores, Laurence, Laywell and Leschber.
Lindsay 3, THS 0
8-25, 15-25, 16-25
Kills: Thorndale – M. Smith 7, Leschber 5, Biar 1, Laurence 1, J. Smith 1, Laywell 1.
Lindsay – Mackenzie Fleitman 11, Ashley Fleitman 8, Brianna Craigie 7, Rachel Metzler 4, Kylee Fleitman 1, Macey Ott 1, Tori Hartman 1.
Aces: M. Fleitman 7, Metzler 3, Olivia Hertel 3, Kloe Copeland 2, Kaylee Colwell 1, A. Fleitman 1. Digs: Thorndale – Leschber 9, M. Flores 6, M. Smith 6, Laywell 5, Albert 4, J. Smith 3, Biar 2, Buchanan 1.
Lindsay – Metzler 11, M. Fleitman 9, A. Fleitman 6, Hartel 5, Kathryn Worth 3, Ott 2, Copeland 1. Blocks: Thorndale – Biar 2, J. Smith 2, Laurence 2, M. Smith 1. Lindsay – Ott 2, Metzler 1.
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