The Van Lady Vandals stayed close to home last weekend, competing in Edgewood’s annual varsity volleyball tournament. Van fared well overall during the two-day event, going a combined 3-2 with a second place finish.

Van first took to the court Aug. 26, opening their tournament on a down note with a 25-23, 16-25, 15-13 loss to Sulphur Springs.

Maci Jones and Bella Thompson shouldered the load offensively in the match, combining for 18 of Van’s 26 total kills in the match.

Thompson also posted 11 digs, while Abby Clyburn added 10, Ashlyn Lloyd nine and Landry Jones eight.

Van returned to the win column hours later, earning a hard-fought 25- 16, 17-25, 15-12 over perennial playoff contenders Caddo Mills.

Bella Thompson finished with a match-high 11 kills, Maci Jones added 10, Ashlyn Lloyd five, and Macie Hansel and Claire Rose one each.

Madison Batie kept Van’s offense going forward in the match, adding a team-high 20 total assists.

After a four-set, non-tournament win over Spring Hill Sept. 27, Van returned to Edgewood Aug. 28 to take on the tournament hosts in championship bracket play. Van managed to overcome a slow start in the matchup, rallying back for a 18-25, 25-22, 15- 10 win.

Four players finished with kills in the match for Van, including Bella Thompson with nine, Maci Jones with eight, and Claire Rose and Ashlyn Lloyd with three each.

The Lady Vandals generated four aces in the match, one each for Landry Jones, Ashlyn Lloyd, Bella Thompson and Madison Batie.

After competing in the main gym, Van shifted back to the old high school gym for a meeting with Blue Ridge for the semifinals. Play would be competitive throughout with Van securing a 26-24, 25-27, 15-13 win over the Tigers.

Bella Thompson posted 14 kills and 11 assists, Maci Jones added 10 kills and Madison Batie added 13 assists in the win.

Van closed out its tournament run by taking on one of the top volleyball programs in the state, the Farmersville Lady Farmers. Despite some solid stretches Van could not get over the hump in the match, falling 25-20, 25-18 to a Lady Farmers squad that has posted a sterling 24-1 record on the season.

Maci Jones led the way for the Lady Vandals with seven kills, while Claire Rose and Ashlyn Lloyd added four each, Bella Thompson added three and Caitlyn Stanfield added one. The Lady Vandals were scheduled to play in Quitman Sept. 3 and Kilgore Sept. 7 before returning home to square off against Whitehouse Sept. 10.