Consol's playoff run meeting big obstacle
Tigers face Magnolia in regional quarterfinal
The A&M Consolidated volleyball team broke through a ceiling to reach the regional quarterfinals, where the Lady Tigers will encounter a team accustomed to the height.
Consolidated (31-10) will play 17th-ranked Magnolia (33-7) in a Class 5A Region II quarterfinal match at the Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
This is the first time Consol has reached the third round of the playoffs as a 5A team. The Lady Tigers made the 4A regional semifinals in 1992.
Magnolia reached the regional semifinals last season before falling to Plano West. The Lady Bulldogs lost only two starters from that team and have been considered one of the top contenders in Region II throughout the season.
Consol coach Adam Cornell returned from his team's area-round playoff victory over The Woodlands on Friday in time to see Magnolia dispatch Round Rock McNeil 25-10, 25-22, 25-20 at Tiger Gym.
"They're an amazing team," Cornell said. "Their athleticism is unbelievable. Other than [third-ranked] Cy-Fair, they're going to be the biggest team we've faced.
"It's going to take us watching plays and being there as it develops, as opposed to watching the play and then reacting."
The Lady Tigers can't match Magnolia's height or its recent playoff history, but Consol is on a roll after going undefeated in District 13-5A and then beating Georgetown and The Woodlands in the playoffs.
"With their experience playing club and seeing very tough teams before district, I would like to think the girls have a little more confidence going into this round," Cornell said. "This is a team that doesn't like to lose, even in practice. I certainly can't see them being OK with ending their season Tuesday."
Consol's hopes will ride on a versatile roster that allows Cornell to change lineups and positions. The Lady Tigers lost four seniors off last year's team, but capable replacements and good health prevented a drop-off.
"This year we were fortunate enough to have our full team [healthy] right away," Cornell said. "When we went to those early tournaments we were hanging with teams and beating teams, and I think the players started to understand that they were a little better off than they were last year."
The Lady Tigers are led by 6-foot senior outside hitter Carli Kolbe, a Sam Houston State pledge who will be playing on her future home floor. Junior setter Hillary Parker has several hitting options, including 6-4 sophomore middle blocker Karla Gilbert and senior outside hitter Allie Redpath. The defense features senior libero Kathryn Laza.
"You don't get to the regional quarterfinals and not have a good team," Magnolia coach Terri Johnson said. "We've got to be at the top of our game and play fast against them."
Magnolia has three seniors who have accepted scholarship offers to play in college and a couple more who could play in college. The Lady Bulldogs' kill leader is 6-1 senior middle blocker Michele Williams, who plans to graduate in December and play for LSU. Middle blocker Hannah Fort has committed to TCU, and outside hitter Alicia Shaffer will play for Texas-Arlington.
"We have some great hitters," Johnson said. "I think that's the main [difference] between last year and this year. We have the ability to play high above the net. I think that gives us a definite advantage."
NOTES - Magnolia's assistant coach is Jennifer Kazmierski, the former Consol head coach who left the Lady Tigers in 2005. Kazmierski played for Texas A&M before coaching two years at Bryan and then two at Consol, reaching the playoffs once with the Lady Vikes and winning two district championships with the Lady Tigers. The winner will return to Johnson Coliseum to face Allen or Lake Highlands in the regional semifinals on Friday. Allen and Lake Highlands will play Tuesday night at Richardson Berkner. Officials from Consol and Magnolia agreed to play at SHSU because it is a more neutral site than the other option, Texas A&M's G. Rollie White Coliseum.
• Larry Bowen's e-mail address is larry.bowen@theeagle.com.