Ballinger Volleyball Rallies From 2 Sets Down to Win Area Title

EASTLAND, TX — The Ballinger volleyball team made more program history Tuesday with a five-set comeback win over Olney in the area round of the 2A Division I playoffs.

The Lady Cats dropped the first two sets before rallying all the way back for a 23-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-12, 15-6 victory.

Ballinger (24-14) now moves on to the regional semifinals, where the Lady Cats will face either No. 13 Ropes or No. 22 Sanford-Fritch.

Ballinger is in the playoffs for the first time since 1970 after reviving its program in 2021.

The Lady Cats won their first playoff trophy in 56 years last week with a sweep over Colorado City, but a 32-win Olney team was sure to present a much bigger challenge.

Ballinger narrowly lost the first two sets 25-23 each time to get pushed to the brink of elimination. Just points away from their season ending, the Lady Cats survived a nerve-wracking 25-22 third set to stay alive, then won 25-12 in the fourth set to force a winner-take-all fifth set.

Ballinger then completed the comeback with an emphatic 15-6 win in the final set as the Lady Cats looked like playoff veterans.

Olney’s season ended with a record of 32-11.