HERALD DEMOCRAT

WHITESBORO -- Brooke Furst had 32 kills and 28 digs over three matches and all-tournament team selection Rachel Oakley handed out 68 assists as Denison finished Saturday with the consolation championship of the Challengers Bracket by defeating Pilot Point, 25-19, 25-12, at the Whitesboro Invitational.

The Lady Jackets started the day with a loss to Whitesboro, 27-25, 23-25, 22-25, but rebounded with a 24-26, 25-15, 25-20 victory over Sanger.

"I feel like this weekend was kind of a turning point for us because it seems like the girls truly believe that when they walk on the floor they can win a game and win a match," Denison head coach Shari Christenson said. "They kept their intensity up no matter what."

Emily Thompson finished with 24 kills, Ashton Walters added 19 kills and eight aces and Brieann Heaton collected 21 digs for Denison (11-12), which hosts Sanger on Tuesday before opening district play.

In non-district action on Friday, Denton Ryan defeated the Lady Jackets, 25-7, 25-23, 25-16, at Denison. Furst finished with nine kills and Walters had eight kills.

Champions bracket
Championship
Paris def. Gunter 2-0

WHITESBORO -- All-Tournament team selection Joey Bailey had 18 kills, 10 blocks and 10 digs over three matches as Gunter reached the title match of the Whitesboro Invitational before Paris came away with a 25-10, 25-14 over the Lady Tigers on Saturday.

Earlier in the day Gunter defeated Sanger, 25-14, 25-14, and Whitesboro, 25-20, 25-23, to advance to the final.

Morgan Watson finished with 12 digs, 33 assists and seven kills while Harlee Johnson added seven digs and 18 kills, Meghan Mazerolle chipped in 13 digs and five aces and Lana Green collected seven digs on the day for Gunter (15-7), which hosts Princeton on Tuesday.

Third place
Whitesboro def. Heritage 2-0

WHITESBORO -- All-tournament team selection Katelyn Labhart had 10 kills, 20 digs and six aces over three matches as the host Lady Bearcats defeated Frisco Heritage, 25-12, 25-16, to capture third place in Champions Bracket on Saturday.

Earlier in the day Whitesboro defeated Denison, 25-27, 25-23, 25-22, but lost to Gunter, 25-20, 25-23, before taking down Heritage.

Courtney Davis finished with 18 kills, 10 digs and eight blocks while Kortni Dickson added 11 kills and nine digs, Becca Mock handed out 26 assists, Taylor Ezzell added 18 assists and 10 digs and Rachel Urban collected 26 digs for Whitesboro (13-9), which plays at Frisco Heritage on Tuesday night.

In other Champions Bracket action on Saturday, Sherman lost to Paris, 25-18, 25-15, and then to Pilot Point, 25-21, 25-18.

Challengers bracket
Third place
TCS def. Van Alstyne 2-1

WHITESBORO -- Lauren Kirby had 10 kills, nine digs and five blocks, Delaney Ortega added 13 kills and MacKenzie Kolb handed out 16 assists as Texoma Christian captured third place in the Challengers Bracket with a 24-26, 25-18, 25-20 victory over Van Alstyne on Saturday.

Elizabeth Heiser chipped in six blocks and four kills, Katheryn Sild collected 12 digs and Lindsey Walston put down six aces for the Lady Eagles, who beat Whitewright, 25-15, 25-11, and lost to Little Elm, 24-26, 14-25, earlier in the day.

In non-district action on Friday, Texoma Christian defeated Bells, 25-16, 25-17, 25-10, at home.

Kirby had 14 kills, seven blocks and six digs, Delaney Ortega added 10 kills, Kolb finished with 17 assists and five digs and Heiser contributed five blocks and six kills for Texoma Christian (12-3), which hosts Howe on Tuesday.

In other Challengers Bracket action, Pottsboro defeated Little Elm, 25-20, 25-22, to capture the championship while Ponder defeated Whitewright, 25-19, 25-22, for the consolation championship.

Non-district
No. 10 Savoy def. Selwyn 3-0

SAVOY -- Bailey McGehee had 14 kills and Whitney Cooke handed out 18 assists as Savoy defeated Denton Selwyn, 25-7, 25-12, 25-8, in non-district action on Friday.

Caitlin McClain and Katherine Merritt chipped in three kill apiece while Natalie Brasher added eight aces for Savoy (18-2).