Creek, Dickinson, Santa Fe begin season on a roll

Clear Creek volleyball coach Scott Simonds spent most of last year trying to forget the Lady Wildcats’ disappointing 2009 season — an early first-round playoff exit.

The first week of the 2010 season proved pretty cathartic.

Creek finished 11th overall at the Duncaville Tournament during the weekend. The only two losses came against ranked teams.

The Lady Wildcats (5-3) also got a big win over rival Clear Lake, the favorite to win District 24-5A. Lake beat Creek twice last year.

“It’s always good to get off to a good start,” Simonds said. “Especially after coming off a year like last year.”

Dickinson has yet to lose a game. The Lady Gators are 9-0 and just won the Barber’s Hill Tournament.

Coach Mitzi Matthews told her team she wanted them to start strong. They listened.

Now, the test will be how the Lady Gators finish. They also got off to a fast start last year.

“It’s really important that we stay strong,” Matthews said. “That’s why it’s our theme. I have high expectations, so the start doesn’t really surprise me.”

Santa Fe finished the first week at 4-1. It could have been 5-0, but the Lady Indians dropped a tough five-game match to St. Pius.

Still, it’s a good start for Santa Fe, who lost four starters, three to college scholarships.

First Wins

It didn’t take long for two new county volleyball coaches to get their first victories.

Christian Dunn won his first game as Texas City coach in the Lady Stings first game. He went on to win four more this week.

The Lady Stings have responded well to Dunn.

“We still need to have the mentality to win in three games against these teams,” Dunn said. “But I like where we’re headed.”

La Marque coach Deidra Shepherd got her first win against Houston Yates. The Lady Cougars almost beat Brazosport, too, falling in five sets in a back-and-forth game.

Players Of The Week

• Ashley Lewis, La Marque — Lewis helped La Marque to its first win of the season with 10 kills on 15 attempts.

• Allyson DeBruhl, Dickinson — The Lady Gators new setter is fitting in quite well. She dished out 104 assists in three games in one day.

• Chelsea Knape, Texas City — The Lady Stings senior had 23 kills Friday.

• Madison Moody, Santa Fe — In the Lady Indians’ trimatch Friday, Moody had 26 kills. She had 16 in the pivotal five-set match against Port Neches-Groves.

Games To Watch

• Clear Creek at Stratford, 5:30 p.m. today — The Lady Wildcats took down Stratford last year after a long losing streak. Can they do it in Stratford this time?

• Dickinson vs. Deer Park, 6:30 p.m. today — The Lady Gators get a good test at home against a quality 5A program.

• Friendswood at Clear Brook, 6:30 p.m. today — Friendswood has had a rough start. It doesn’t get any easier.