It's been a wild ride for the Lake Highlands Wildcats volleyball team this season.

If the challenges that inevitably occur with a coaching change weren't enough, rookie head coach Shelly Massey has had to deal with a rash of injuries throughout the season.

Just one look at the Lady Wildcat bench and you get the picture – four players who normally start, or see plenty of playing time, occupy seats on the bench and won't see any action on the court for the remainder of the season.

Injuries are certainly part of the sport, but every now and then you have to marvel at the plight of the Lady 'Cats.

The biggest scare came earlier this season when the sister combo of Matalee and Morgan Reed was idled when both sisters were sidelined with ankle injuries.

Ironically, when Matalee returned from her injury it was two games before district play against the very team the Lady 'Cats faced in the Regional Quarterfinal match on Tuesday night – the Rowlett Eagles.

Fortunately for Lake Highlands, Tuesday night's win-or-go-home rematch against Rowlett went a lot better than the first go around this season when the Eagles swept the Lady 'Cats 3-0.

And while it took all five sets, the Lady 'Cats won the epic Regional Quarterfinal match-up 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 20-25, and 15-12.

After going .500 prior to the start of District 9-5A play, the Lady 'Cats have now reeled off 15 straight wins, including their three rounds of playoff victories.

"They really, really wanted it tonight," Massey said after the match.

"The first time we played Rowlett, half our players weren't in the game. This was a different team out there on the court. These kids, their heart, passion and drive will persevere over anybody. I really believe that."

"They've become very coachable. They're listening, adjusting and adapting to everything we're teaching them."

There was nothing given to either team on Tuesday night.

Each set was a back and forth affair. Neither team managed to run off more than three or four consecutive points the entire match.

In the end it was senior Katie Sefko at the service line for the Lady 'Cats in the fifth set with the teams tied 12-12. Three points later and Lady 'Cats put away the Eagles to advance to the Regional Semifinals.

As fans expected, the Reed sisters led the way. Freshman Morgan Reed had 47 sets, two aces and 19 digs while her two time All-American sister, Matalee, had 25 kills and 14 digs (block stats were unavailable.)

"The Reed sisters mean a whole lot to this team," Massey said of her star players.

"Morgan as our setter is a great quarterback. She's coachable and listens to her sister on the court. They work so well together."

"Another offensive and defensive leader out there is Bonnie Vernon. She really knows how to step it up. When those three players are at their best, they're hard to stop."

The third leg of the triple threat, junior Bonnie Vernon, had 11 kills, one ace and 16 digs in the match.

Heading into the Regional Semi-finals, the Lady 'Cats are hitting on all cylinders – and they need to be a well oiled machine in their next match considering they face perennial powerhouse, Austin Westlake, on Friday night in Huntsville.

The last time the Lady 'Cats faced-off against Austin Westlake was in the 2008-'09 State Semi-Final match where the Westlake beat LH in four sets.

The Regional Semi-final match is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at Sam Houston State University.

Click HERE to view the playoff bracket.

The LH Today Broadcast Team will have live scoring updates during our broadcast of the LHHS vs. Rowlett Bi-District playoff game Friday night.

Best of luck to the Lady 'Cats on their road to state!

GO 'CATS!