The crowd roars as the Tigers put the ball down for a kill against their cross-town rivals, the Pleasant Grove Hawks. With a packed-out Tiger Center, Texas took the victory with a score of 3-1 Aug. 23, 2022. This year, however, the rival game looked a little different.
The Tigers faced the Pleasant Grove Hawks Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, in a pre-playoff warm-up game.
Due to off-court shenanigans, including damage to personal property and homes, before and after last year’s match, coaches decided to close off the iconic Texas versus Pleasant Grove game to all spectators, including parents.
“I personally voted against the No Spectator rule for the Pleasant Grove game,” assistant coach Robin Holland said. “As a parent, I never want to miss an opportunity to be at a game in person and share that experience.”
In the past few years, tensions around this rivalry game ran high. Words and actions exchanged made it all about more than volleyball.
“On either side, we have to remember that these are just kids,” Holland said. “We should be able to be adults and cheer on our teams respectfully.”
Despite whatever negative energy surrounded the game in the past, the high energy in the gym and on the court proved undeniable. Going into playoffs, the energy brought by opposing teams will be high, mimicking that of the atmosphere of a game against a hometown rival.
“I remember Lufkin, when we played them freshman year, they had a big student section, and their fans were so loud. They got in our heads,” senior Mally Lumpkin said. “I feel like if we could have spectators allowed when we play Pleasant Grove, it would better prepare us for the atmosphere we will have when we play against Lufkin in the first round next week.”
After playing in such an electrifying atmosphere last year, the lack of fans and a student section impacted both sides.
“It was definitely disappointing not being able to have any fans watching us play,” senior Cydney Hopkins said. “I’m just excited to get into playoffs now.”
The Lady Tigers will take on the Lady Panthers of Lufkin Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at Marshall High School.
