BY JACK WALKER

SPECIAL TO THE HERALD DEMOCRAT

LUCAS -- For the second time in three seasons, the Argyle Lady Eagles advanced past the first round of the volleyball playoffs.

Argyle (28-13) swept Van Alstyne, 25-11, 25-13, 25-17 to win a Class 3A Region II bi-district match at Lovejoy High School on Tuesday night.

Van Alstyne (32-10) was making its first playoff appearance since 2003 and struggled against a more experienced Argyle team from the outset.

Juniors Jennifer Speer and Samantha James came up big in the opener for the Lady Eagles as they jumped out to a 9-3 lead and were never challenged.

Speer, one of Argyle's two six-footers, had 12 kills and James added 11 more and four aces to pace the offense.

Van Alstyne senior outside hitter Emily Gentle, who had nine kills in the contest, led the Lady Panthers. She had back-to-back kills in the third set to tie it at 13 but Argyle had a final push to win the set and match.

Argyle will face Kaufman, the District 12-3A champion, in the area round later this week at a site and time to be determined.