(San Antonio) – Annapolis Christian Academy rallied from two sets down and a six point deficit in the final set to stun Lifegate Christian Academy and take the Texas Christian Athletic League’s 1A State Championship on Saturday at Cornerstone Christian School in San Antonio. Annapolis avenged a loss last week to the Lady Falcons in the 1A Region IV Championship, winning the State Championship this week, 19-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-11, 15-13.
After tying the match at two sets a piece, Annapolis fell behind 12-6 in the fifth and final set but scored nine of the match’s last 10 points to take home the state title.
Top performers for Lifegate included freshman Sharla Maples, who had a number of service aces along with senior Olivia Castillo who had a number of kills on the front line for the Lady Falcons. Junior Elena Mendez also contributed to the ace totals on the service side for Lifegate. Senior Kimbree Wrinkle lead the way as a setter and freshman Nikki Rozell paced the Lady Falcons with some tough digs and nicely placed drop shots.
Other contributors for Lifegate included sophomore Anelyna Cavazos and junior Audrey Phillips.
The Lady Falcons reached Saturday’s championship by sweeping Sunnybrook Christian in the state semifinals on Friday afternoon, 25-21, 25-22, 27-25. Lifegate started the state tournament by sweeping Woodlands True North 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 in the quarterfinals in an early Thursday morning match.
The Lady Falcons, coached by Anne Maples, finished the 2022 campaign with a 19-2 overall record including a first place finish in the TCAL 1A District 9 standings, improving on a 10-4 record from the 2021 season.