Lady 'Dogs in Tyler Lee tourney; finally play at home Tuesday

Several games into the 2008 season, the Kilgore High School Lady Bulldogs volleyball programs have yet to play a home game.

That will change Tuesday, when Kilgore hosts old and ex-district rival Marshall. But for now, it's tournament time.

The KHS varsity is taking part in a huge tournament at Tyler Lee High School this weekend in Tyler. Kilgore won one of its three pool games on Thursday, took the day off Friday and was to play at least twice on Saturday (following the deadline for this paper) against opponents to be determined according to tournament results.

Kilgore beat Mabank, 25-14, 25-13, 27-25, in its first game of the tournament on Thursday. Kathryn McIntyre had three kills in the contest for KHS; Kelsey Jackson had five; China Hughes had 13 sets that resulted in kills for the Bulldogs, coach Lacy Thompson said.

KHS would drop its next two, losing to T.K. Gorman, 25-15, 25-23, and to host-team Tyler Lee, 25-13, 25-12. Against Gorman, McIntyre had six kills. Sarah Morris had nine good serves, Thompson said, and Hughes had 17 sets that turned into kills for Kilgore. Against Lee, Raven Wiley had three kills for KHS. Andrea Ashley had two, and Hughes had 11 good sets.

Kilgore wound up third in pool play, taking part in the tournament's silver bracket.

Others on the varsity team this year are Alex Phillips, Alyssa Phillips, Hailey Wright, and Lesta Eaton.

The freshmen and junior varsity teams are taking part in a tournament at Elysian Fields this weekend.

Tuesday's action against Marshall will begin with freshmen at 5 p.m., then junior varsity will play at 6, and varsity in the nightcap, likely around 7 p.m. Kilgore is also home against Hallsville this Friday at those same times, and has upcoming non-district games at Pine Tree (Sept. 9), Lufkin (Sept. 12), Van (Sept. 16) and John Tyler (Sept. 19). KHS won't start District 14-4A play until Sept. 26, a home game against Jacksonville.

Thompson is assisted by Cassie Newell and Amanda Farmer.