HP can finally look ahead to the next game.

 

Sure, the Scots had their upcoming match, make that rematch, against Richardson Pearce in the back of the heads Tuesday night. But it didn't show on the court as HP swept its fifth match during a six-game winning streak in a 25-13, 25-15, 25-15 decision over McKinney.

 

The win moves HP (26-14) to 9-1 in District 10-4A play, still one game behind the state's top-ranked team, Richardson Pearce (26-3, 10-0). Pearce visits Highlander Fieldhouse at 6:30 p.m. Friday for the most anticipated match of the season. Pearce won the teams' first meeting, 3-2, in a classic in Richardson in which four of the five sets were decided by three points or less.

 

"We did a good job of taking care of business tonight," Scots coach Michael Dearman said. "Now that this is over, we can look forward to the Pearce match. McKinney played us well, but we did what we needed to do to get the win." 

 

The primary strategy was to feed outside hittelr Margeaux Mendenhall on the attack. And then send her the ball again.

 

Mendenhall was the catalyst as HP repelled a final charge by McKinney in the third set. The Scots already led 2-0 in sets, and were ready to close out the match leading 16-7 in the third set. But McKinney found an offensive groove and scored six straight points helped by three HP hitting errors. 

 

HP's Malia Williams sent an attack down the line that was originally called out by the lineman. The lead official overruled, however, giving HP a key point and a four-point advantage at 17-13 rather than just two at 16-14. 

 

That's where Mendenhall came in, scoring two quick kills compounded by a Caroline Culwell ace to the floor. The Scots found their rythum from there as Mendenhall tallied another two kills, and HP answered with a seven-point run and a 22-13 lead.

 

Mendenhall, who led HP with 20 kills, and Logan Vanderslice each scored kills in the final moments as the Scots won the third set, 25-14. Vanderslice had six kills for HP.

 

The Scots trailed only twice in the match in the opening moments of the firts two sets. HP's serving was a key in the first set as the Scots had three runs of four points or more to take charge. Elizabeth Lee and Culwell each had aces, and Hope Ogden, Vanderslice, Williams and Mendenhall each scored kills in the set.

 

Ogden scored big in the second set with five kills and a tip for a point, and Mendenhall scored on consecutive aces as HP pulled away to a 25-15 win. Lee had four aces in the match to go with 44 assists.

 

It was a fine defensive show for HP as well, with Catherine Ken leading the Scots with 20 digs. Ogden had 16, and Cuwell had 12 to pace HP, which also got a block from Mendenhall.

 

The Scots' 9-1 district record all but clinches a playoff spot. HP now has a three-match lead over McKinney (6-4) that is effectively four matches with tiebreakers now that HP owns the season sweep over the Lions.