DALLAS — Bishop Lynch gave first-place Parish Episcopal all it could handle during Tuesday's district showdown, but fell short of an upset, falling in four sets on the road.
The Lady Friars (17-12, 3-4) could have nailed down a playoff spot with a win but will have to wait until Thursday to do so, when they host Bishop Dunne (0-7) in the Competition Gym.

Parish (22-6, 7-0) moved one step closer to securing their first district title in 6A volleyball. The Panthers – along with Prestonwood Christian and Ursuline Academy – have also clinched playoff spots, leaving two spots available for three teams.

The host team had to earn every single point Tuesday, going back and forth with Bishop Lynch for a 30-28 opening set win. The Lady Friars responded with a blowout in the second set, running away from Parish for a 25-11 win to tie the match. Unfortunately, Parish was able to pull out on top in two close sets to nail down the win, taking the third set 25-22, and the fourth by a 25-21 count.

The Lady Friars turned in one of their most effective offensive performances, hitting .203 in the contest (53-of-153), including .500 in the second set (14-of-24). Leah Oyewole had a career-best 16 kills, Emily Castleman added nine, Katie Blomberg and Lyric Berry each had eight, and Avery Kinzer hammered down seven. Alex Galicia recorded 28 assists while Elizabeth Edwards had 16. Galicia also served three aces.

On the defensive side, Berry blocked five Parish shots, Charlotte Hain had a team-high 20 digs, Sydney Broussard added 18 digs, Galicia had 12, and Jenny Canavan added 11.

The Lady Friars will return home Thursday night to host Bishop Dunne with the junior varsity beginning at 5:00 pm, and the varsity to follow. Bishop Lynch will clinch a playoff berth with a win over the winless Falcons.
 
TAPPS 2-6A STANDINGS
x-1. Parish Episcopal                      7-0
x-2. Prestonwood Christian             5-2
x-3. Ursuline Academy                    3-4
3. Bishop Lynch                               3-4
3. John Paul II                                  3-4
6. Bishop Dunne                              0-7
(x-clinched playoff berth)
 
Tuesday's Results
Parish 3, Bishop Lynch 1
Prestonwood 3, John Paul II 0
Ursuline 3, Bishop Dunne 0
 
Thursday's Schedule
Bishop Dunne at Bishop Lynch
John Paul II at Parish
Ursuline at Prestonwood