The Brownwood Lady Lions got better as the day went along, securing three victories in pool play Thursday at the Heart of Texas volleyball tournament at Warren Gym to even their overall record at 5-5.

“We started off really slow in the morning, I’m learning we don’t really play well in the morning so that’s something we have to work on as a team, but we really focused today on being in control of our side and not letting the other side dictate how we’re playing on our side,” said Lady Lions second-year head coach Kristen Grimes. “This group has a tendency to get a little silly at times, and I’m all about the fun, but we need to be fun and focused. We did that last two matches, we held our own with some hiccups here and there, but we’re brand new of kids working together and it’s good to find those now so we can fix them.”

As for the brightest spots of the day, Grimes said, “I really liked how our non-starters are coming in and being an effective member of the team. If someone’s not doing well I know I can count on the kids coming off the bench to come in and get the job done, and the level of play doesn’t change. They’re coming in and continuing to make a difference and bringing something to the court.”

The Lady Lions will resume tournament play Saturday, as the gold and silver bracket plays will be finalized after Friday action.

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Brownwood defeated Bangs, 25-19, 25-23

In the second set of Thursday’s tournament opener, Bangs rallied from a 19-13 deficit to grab a 22-21 lead. A hitting error by the Lady Dragons pulled Brownwood even at 22, then Kimber McLean followed with a kill that put the Lady Lions up for good, 23-22. With Brownwood up 24-23, the decisive point came when Bangs launched a spike past the back line, giving the Lady Lions the two-point triumph.

The opening set saw the teams play to a 13-all tie until the Lady Lions reeled off seven straight points behind the serving of McLean and play at the net by Demayha Hooker, Ashantia Green, and Camryn Gipson. Trailing 20-13, Bangs crept within 21-18, but got no closer.

For Bangs, Ashlynn Sliger recorded three kills in the match, while Adelynne Stephens, Cameryn Harmon, Cricket Caulkins, and Adaline Gregory each served an ace.

Defensively for the Lady Dragons, Harmon and Karlyee Sliger tallied two blocks apiece and Ashlynn Sliger contributed one, while Caulkins, Gregory, and Karylee Sliger registered two digs each trailed by one apiece from Stephens, Harmon, Ashlynn Sliger and Lily Boren.

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Brownwood defeated Brady, 25-11, 25-7

Brownwood jumped out to a 12-3 lead in the opening set of its second match, and raced out to a 14-1 advantage in the second set of a dominating performance.

A kill by Hooker in the initial set gave the Lady Lions a 3-2 edge, Jordan Brixey’s ace made the score 9-3, and another kill from Hooker capped a 10-1 run that pushed the advantage to 12-3.

After a brief Brady surge, a kill from Lexi Driskill gave Brownwood its first double-digit cushion at 17-7. A kill by Gipson boosted the lead to 14 points, 23-9, while a block from Chandler and yet another kill from Hooker concluded the set.

In the final set against Brady, the Lady Lions tallied 14 of the first 15 points. The match ended with an ace from Abby Brasher, as Brady trailed by no fewer than 11 points after Brownwood’s opening run.

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Brownwood defeated Richland Springs, 25-12, 25-9

The Lady Lions owned a 12-1 advantage in the first set and a 10-1 advantage in the second set of Thursday’s finale, controlling the action from start to finish.

Among the first set highlights, Hooker recorded five kills, while Chandler, Green, Gipson and Driskill also got into the action at the net. Driskill also served a couple of aces and Brasher contributed one as well.

The second set saw Adyn Lucas serve three consecutive aces at one point, while also contributing a kill. Driskill and Brixey also added aces, while Chandler and Green did the most damage at the net offensively.