Robertson County Connection
SPRINGFIELD WEATHER

WH Heritage eliminates Springfield from district tourney




White House Heritage celebrates its 3-0 semifinal victory over Springfield. RANDY DIXON

White House Heritage celebrates its 3-0 semifinal victory over Springfield. RANDY DIXON

PORTLAND – White House Heritage volleyball coach Brandon Niblock has tried a new strategy this season: talking less.

So far, that plan seems to be working.

The Lady Patriots downed Springfield 3-0 in the District 11-AA semifinals Thursday to advance to the championship match and clinch a Region 6-AA tournament berth.

But the victory did not come as easily as most straight-set wins do. Springfield was just two points away from clinching the third set after building a 23-13 lead.

However, Heritage senior Olivia Risden delivered serve after serve to help the Lady Patriots crawl back. And during multiple timeouts, Niblock let the players coach themselves while he sat on the bench.

“I realized at the beginning of the season that I talk too much sometimes,” Niblock said. “It’s doesn’t always need to be about my voice, sometimes it needs to be about theirs. I want them to take ownership and let my leaders lead.”

That’s exactly what Risden and company did. Heritage went on a 13-2 scoring streak to take a 26-24 set victory for the match sweep. Heritage and Springfield split their two regular season matches.

WH Heritage’s Chloe Pentecost (18) and Sonya Banker (13) block a shot from Springfield’s Morgan Dorris (14).RANDY DIXON

WH Heritage’s Chloe Pentecost (18) and Sonya Banker (13) block a shot from Springfield’s Morgan Dorris (14).RANDY DIXON

“That was a pleasant surprise,” Niblock said of the third set comeback. “They remember losing the district matchup, and they wanted to win in three sets. They played with a lot of heart.”

Junior Ashleigh Shores led the Lady Patriots with seven kills and eight digs. Risden had six kills, 12 digs and two aces. MC Abell finished with five kills, 13 digs and four aces. Mackenzie Geer had 22 assists.

Springfield coach Daniel Owsley said his squad made too many mistakes to win. The Lady Jackets had leads in the second and third sets, only to squander them with unforced errors. Springfield also couldn’t stop Risden’s serving streak.

“We feel like we kind of beat ourselves,” Owsley said. “We made a lot of mistakes on our side of the court, and that’s really all you can control.

WH Heritage senior Olivia Risden (left) tries to power a ball past Springfield’s Morgan Gunn (right). RANDY DIXON

WH Heritage senior Olivia Risden (left) tries to power a ball past Springfield’s Morgan Gunn (right). RANDY DIXON

“We couldn’t get a pass out of the back to generate an offense. We had to keep playing defense, and that’s typically not our game. We need to be swinging if we want to win.”

Heritage went on to lose to Portland 3-0 in the District 11-AA title match. Springfield ended its season with a 28-15 overall record. The Lady Jackets graduate three seniors, including Morgan Dorris, Madison Dubowsky and Jacie Greer.

“They’re a great bunch of kids,” Owsley said. “They work hard every day. They’ve been leaders the whole time. It just didn’t always go our way.”

Dorris and Sarah Nicholson were named to the All-District 11-AA team. Both players also garnered All-Tournament honors.

Springfield senior Morgan Dorris (14) serves to WH Heritage.RANDY DIXON

Springfield senior Morgan Dorris (14) serves to WH Heritage.RANDY DIXON

Springfield’s Jessie Seeley (2) goes up to block a spike.RANDY DIXON

Springfield’s Jessie Seeley (2) goes up to block a spike.RANDY DIXON

Springfield libero Haley Jones (19) keeps the ball alive as Morgan Gunn (18) looks on.RANDY DIXON

Springfield libero Haley Jones (19) keeps the ball alive as Morgan Gunn (18) looks on.RANDY DIXON

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