On Tuesday night, the Lady Leopards responded in a big way.
The Lady Leopards hauled in 22 blocks and absolutely dominated the Vernon College Lady Chaparrals 25-11, 25-20, 25-19 at TC Gym.
"We set a goal to get at least 15 blocks," Reese said. "So I'm glad we could meet a goal."
The win gave the Lady Leopards (14-18) a 5-0 record after the first half of NTJCAC play and kept them on track for their bigger goal of going undefeated in conference and returning to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.
"We've been consistent in conference," Reese said. "But last week we had a non-conference game (a three-set loss at Panola) that we did not do well at all. We didn't block at all then. And that was the difference between that game and tonight."
It didn't take long for the Lady Leopards to let the Lady Chaparrals (11-15, 1-4) know that they had no shot at a win. Kylie Presswood started off the match with an ace and Kelsey Marek got the first of her six blocks on the second point for a quick 2-0 lead.
Marek had two more blocks and two kills and CoCo Cave added two kills to help Temple build a 14-8 lead.
Then Cave headed to the service line, and the game essentially was over.
Cave delivered three aces in a run of 10 straight points - the first falling flat in the dead center of Vernon's defense, the second a well-placed dropper that fell on the back line and the third leaving Vernon's Natalia Oliveira trapped as all she could do was hit it to the floor.
In addition to the aces, Cave (four aces, four kills, two blocks, five digs) added two serves in the run that the Lady Chaparrals could only send right back over to TC's side to set up an easy kill on the overpass.
It finally ended when Marek was called for a lift with Temple holding a 24-8 lead.
With the Lady Leopards up one set, Reese put in her reserve players in the second and third games. While some of the athleticism and court dynamic changed, there was very little dropoff in terms of skill and determination on the court.
Stephanie Malay came in midway through the second game for Cave and finished the night with five kills, five blocks and four digs.
"I've seen a roller-coaster with the bench, and really that's expected," Reese said. "That's just confidence. They are always scared they are going to come out. I'm glad we can have games like this so that I can trust them to get it done.
"'If you make a mistake, get up and you'll find your rhythm in a minute.' I'm glad I could give them the chance to do that."
Lauren Manning led the Lady Leopards with nine kills and 11 digs and added two blocks. Marek had eight kills and Presswood had 22 assists, two kills, a block and four digs.
"Our hitters are coming along," Reese said. "They have been putting it away for us. Right now we are focusing on defense. We have a big test on Thursday and have to have our blocking down."
The Lady Leopards host North Central Texas at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Lady Leopards defeated the Lady Lions 15-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-13, 15-12 in the first conference meeting at Gainesville and Reese expects a war in the rematch.
"It will be a big test because they are second in conference," she said. "They have more speed than the rest of the conference and they are also fighters. They are on the cusp of being first and I know (coach Angie Bullard) is preparing them to be big and tough."
NOTES: Thursday will be Breast Cancer Awareness Day at TC Gym. The Lady Leopards will sell T-shirts and hold a drawing for a computer. They encourage fans to wear pink and come prepared to donate as the team hopes to raise $1,000 for breast cancer research.
mhood@temple-telegram.com
