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GARLAND — Despite earning its playoff berth on the last day of the season, the McKinney High volleyball team is making a surprising run through the 5A UIL playoffs. That run continued Thursday with a four-set victory over Rockwall in the Area Round.
The Lionettes won 25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 25-17 in a match held at Garland Naaman Forest High School, and they will advance to play Allen next week in the Region 2 Quarterfinals.
Rockwall (20-16, 10-2) was the No. 2 seed to come out of District 12-5A.
The Lionettes had upset Pearce High School — District 9-5A champions — Tuesday at Rowlett High School in the Bi-District Round. Previously, they had earned the fourth and final seed from 10-5A with a one-game play-in victory.
McKinney was led offensively Thursday by Claire Embry, who smashed 14 kills. Caroline Anderson added 13 kills and Ashley Robert totaled 16 digs. Erin Hoppe led MHS with 24 assists.
The Lionettes will play a familiar foe in the regional quarterfinals as they will take on 10-5A rival Allen Monday at Lovejoy High School with a scheduled start time of 6:30 p.m. Allen (22-12, 7-3) won the District 10-5A title and the two squads split the season series at 1-1.
