LHS Sports Roundup: Tigers struggle against Hanford, lose in finale 42-6. Volleyball, tennis in playoffs and fall
Once again, the Tigers made moves early on that they weren’t about to roll over for the visiting Bullpups in Tiger Stadium as they trailed Hanford 7-0 at the half. Unfortunately, Hanford got its offense in gear and outscored Lemoore 35-6 in the second half to win the WYL and a spot in the CIF Central Section Playoffs.
Hanford scored its only first-half touchdown at the 3:50 mark of the first period to take a 7-0 lead. Lemoore got the back, withstood a pair of penalties and had the ball on the 50-yard line when the Bullpups’ picked off a Tiger pass at the 34-yard line to end the threat.
The Tigers defense stopped Hanford again on its next possession and after a Bullpup incomplete pass, the Tigers took over on their own 34. A quarterback sack pushed the Tigers back to the 18-yard line where moments later they had to punt the ball.
The half ended with the Bullpups ahead 7-0.
This is the second time in three years the Tigers have failed to make the Central Section playoffs. They lost to Dinuba High School a year ago in the first round and in 2015, under Shannon Pulliam, the Tigers won their first-round playoff game against Sanger before losing to Ridgeview 45-19.
LHS Volleyball
Lemoore’s volleyball team struggled to earn a spot in the Central Section playoffs, compiling a 14-14 overall record and a 3-7 WYL record. Lemoore lost its last six of seven matches, including its first-round playoff match against Exeter High School, a 3-0 decision on the Monarchs home court.
A review of the Exeter’s record reveals a team that won 32 matches, losing only 10 and easily capturing the Central Sequoia League with a perfect 12-0 record. Exeter will play WYL champion Redwood in a Tuesday (Oct. 20) match in Exeter.
In Thursday’s match, the Monarchs got past Lemoore 25-15, 25-10, 25-13 to advance.
Lemoore almost failed to make the playoffs, losing their final three matches, but still have an even record, qualifying them for post-season action.
Tennis
Lemoore’s talented tennis squad, a team that finished second in the WYL at 7-3 and was 15-7 overall took on Tulare Western in the second round of the Central Section playoffs and in a disappointing finish, lost to the Mustangs 7-2.
The Tigers earned a second-round bid by easily beating Hoover High School in the playoffs’ opening round 9-0. The Tigers were indeed dominant in their opening round match played at Lemoore High School on Oct. 18.
Lemoore’s closed match was the No. 1 singles match featuring the Tigers’ Madison Kuntz who won 6-3, 7-5 to begin the playoff shutout. Aliana Cabuhat, Paige Clarke, Jenny Paez, Christina Nguyen, and Sophia Gregorio all easily won their singles matches.
In doubles, Paez and Nguyen won 8-4 while Marissa Salazar and Louelle Braga edged out their opponents 8-6. Hannah Raber and Ashley Phelps easily won 8-0 to complete the sweep.