Making a deep playoff run is certainly nothing new for the Magnolia Lady Bulldog volleyball squad.

Last year, the Lady Bulldogs made it through the first two rounds before being knocked out in the third round regional qualifiers. This year is much of the same for Magnolia, which has been ranked at or near the top all season in the Houston area volleyball rankings.

Their 14-1 district record made them tops in 17-4A, while their 37-9 overall mark was among the best in the state.

Earning the district’s top seed going into the Region III 4A playoffs, the Lady Bulldogs were matched against New Caney, a squad that narrowly qualified for the postseason with a fourth place finish in 18-4A.

The Lady Bulldogs made quick work of their first round opponents, winning in straight sets 25-8, 25-16 and 25-11.

Their second round opponent was a significant step up in competition in Beaumont Ozen, the 20-4A runners-up. However, Magnolia was just as dominant, again coming away with a straight-set victory, 25-9, 25-11 and 25-9.

It wasn’t until an area round match-up against 18-4A rival Montgomery that the Lady Bulldogs were tested. In the heart-stopping classic, the Lady Bears looked to be in the driver’s seat to pull off the upset after they took a two-sets-to-one lead after three sets. A fourth set victory would have given Montgomery the win, but the Lady Bulldogs pulled it out, 26-24.

That set up a decisive fifth set, which the Lady Bulldogs narrowly won, 16-14.

With the win, Magnolia earned a trip to the fourth round regionals to take on Friendswood, 24-4A runners-up. That game was held Friday, Nov. 12 at the Berry Center. Results were unavailable at press time.

The winner of that game was set to take either Brenham or Dawson in the Region III finals for a trip to be one of four teams in the state tournament.

For more information, including game results and complete brackets, visit uiltexas.org.

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