Sports

Lady Vandals reach Regional Semifinals

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The field of Van Zandt County volleyball teams left in this year’s playoffs was winnowed down to one last week, as Van survived two more hard-fought matches to reach the Regional Semifinal round of the playoffs.
The Van Lady Vandals continued their Cinderella season by posting playoff wins over both Paris and Farmersville last week. Van was scheduled to clash with 2 nd ranked Celina at Mesquite Horn High School Nov. 12. Courtesy photo

Three compete at State Cross Country Meet

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Van Zandt County was well represented at the UIL State Cross Country Meet last week with three local athletes, Canton sophomore Graycee Wilson, Edgewood senior Kaley Nicholson and Martins Mill junior Mattie Burns all qualifying to compete.
Kaley Nicholson represented the Edgewood athletic program at the Class 3A State Cross Country Meet, finishing 40th overall out of 151 qualifying runners. Courtesy photo

Three reach bi-district round

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The final Friday night of the 2021 regular season brought with it plenty of drama with one team at home idle, two teams fighting for their playoff lives and three teams already assured of a playoff spot. Van Zandt County ultimately finished with no new additions to the playoff field as Fruitvale and Grand Saline each suffered setbacks Nov. 5, leaving Canton, Edgewood and Van as the last team’s standing locally.
Fruitvale ISD recognized its senior football players, band members and cheerleaders prior to the district finale against Leverett’s Chapel Nov. 5. Photo courtesy of the Grand Saline ISD Facebook page

COLLEGE BOUND

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Top, Mia Nixon, who has won state championships in golf and basketball during her time at Martins Mill, committed to play golf collegiately at Texas A&M University during a special signing ceremony Nov. 10. Bottom, Martins Mill standout student-athlete Jada Celsur was joined by family, friends and teammates as she signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Texas Woman’s University next season. Courtesy photos
COLLEGE BOUND

Vandals best Eagles in instant classic

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The local playoff picture continues to come into focus with three schools, Canton, Edgewood and Van, all guaranteed a spot in the bi-district round and two others, Fruitvale and Grand Saline, still alive heading into play Nov. 5. Wills Point, which has struggled with consistency throughout the season after implementing its third offensive and defensive scheme in three seasons, is currently the lone county program assured of missing the postseason.
Vandals best Eagles in instant classic

Lady Vandals advance to Area round

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Van Zandt County volleyball teams acquitted themselves well on the court during the 2021 season, with four out of six local programs advancing to postseason play. Wills Point narrowly missed out on making it five, falling in four sets against the Mabank Lady Panthers during a play-in game Oct. 30.
The Van Lady Vandals scored a thrilling 25-15, 25-9, 16-25, 26-24 win over Kaufman in the bi-district round, advancing to the Area round where they will take on the Paris Lady Wildcats. Courtesy photo

Tiger tennis wraps up fall season

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The Wills Point Tiger tennis program strung together a dominant fall season, entering last week’s Class 4A State Team Tennis Tournament with a sterling 21-1 mark overall. Wills Point would suffer only its second loss of the season in the State Semifinals, falling by a deceptive 10-0 score to Wimberley to finish the fall season as State bronze medalists.
Tiger netters put together one of the best fall seasons in the program’s storied history, going 22-2 overall en route to a bronze medal finish at the Class 4A State Tennis Tournament in College Station. Courtesy photos
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