Westwood Warriors outside hitter Maggie Stout celebrates winning a hard fought point against the McNeil Mavericks in Westwood’s gym on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. JAMIE HARMS / FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN Photo: Jamie Harms

Posted: Sep 05, 2018

Westwood with the Win

From Statesman.com

By Butch Hart, Contributing Writer

Setter Kenzie Beckham dished out 35 assists and added eight kills as Westwood (24-11, 4-0) handed visiting McNeil (18-13, 2-1) its first District 13-6A loss of the season 25-21, 25-17, 19-25, 28-26 Tuesday at the Warrior Fieldhouse.

Beckham spread the ball around. Audrey Quesnel led the Warriors with 11 kills, while Maggie Stout added 10 kills. Caroline Suter and Zoe Menendez, just returned from an ankle injury, had nine kills each for Westwood. Quesnel had only two hitting errors in the match and ended up with a robust .409 hitting efficiency.

All-Central Texas player Maddi Kriz missed her second match with an ankle injury and indicated that she is seeing the doctor Wednesday to determine the course of action. Kriz has accepted a beach volleyball scholarship to Stanford University.

“I am hopeful, but I won’t know for sure until I see the doctor,” Kriz said in post-match comments.

Tara Nelson praised McNeil’s effort and was pleased to see her team respond.

“It was a really close match; McNeil came to play and never quit,” Nelson said.

While Westwood celebrated the victory, McNeil showed its improvement by nearly forcing a deciding fifth set before a late Warrior rally in the fourth.

Aliyah Levert led the Mavericks with 10 kills and 2 1/2 blocks while defensive standout Maya Barton had 21 digs. Setter Emma Ramirez had 18 assists and served three aces for the Mavericks.

McNeil coach Kate Kennedy was concise in her comments after the match: “Lost in four sets, tough match.”

Beckham, a standout basketball player for the Warriors, ran the court like a point guard, making quick decisions that keep the Mavericks on their heels defensively throughout the contest. According to Nelson, Beckham has matured into an exceptional setter and allows the Warriors to spread their attack across all their hitters.

“Kenzie had really improved this season,” said Nelson earlier this season, commenting on Beckham’s increased field of vision in terms of setting attacks.

While the Warriors were maintaining their first place spot, Vista Ridge remains a half match back by beating Leander while Vandegrift rebounded from a loss to Vista Ridge last week to beat Round Rock in four sets. Stony Point swept Hendrickson in other district action.