The Centerville Lady Tiger volleyball team is on the verge of a remarkable feat last accomplished by its latest victim. No Class 2A volleyball team has gone undefeated since the Leon Lady Cougars did it in 1991.

Centerville, making its first state tournament appearance, is only two victories away from etching its name in the record books.

It won't be easy.

The Lady Tigers first must beat the three-time defending state champion Poth Pirettes (36-8) at 1 p.m. Thursday at Strahan Coliseum in San Marcos in the semifinals.

The last team in any classification to go undefeated was Amarillo in 1998 at 39-0.

"It's been a special year," Centerville head coach Jason Evans said. "To be in a position to win the state championship is enough [of an achievement], but to go undefeated would be even better. This is a special team."

Indeed, it's the first Centerville team, boys or girls, to make a state tournament appearance, a feat both the school and community are well aware of.

"We had a pep rally [Wednesday] morning for us and for our football team going to the playoffs," Evans said. "The elementary schools lined up down the road we're driving down, with fire trucks escorting us out of town. Everyone's really excited."

Senior outside hitter Ashley Hardcastle leads Centerville. The 5-foot-8 Hardcastle is an imposing force at the net, especially in the lower classifications where smaller student populations lead to less opportunity for a 6-foot front line.

Other seniors for Centerville, including 5-11 outside hitter Brittany Rutledge and defensive specialists Cody Hamontree and Bay Lofton, have helped provide the necessary leadership for a deep playoff run, as has junior Alex Lacey.

"All four of our seniors have started since they were sophomores," Evans said. "They have a ton of experience and play really well for us on the floor. Ashley leads the team in kills. Rutledge blocks extremely well and has a cannon for an arm. Alex Lacey is our captain and setter. She really runs the offense and the team on the floor."

Centerville will need all of its leadership against Poth (36-8). The Pirettes have won 155 games over the past four seasons, including sweeps of seven-time state champion Leon in the semifinals and Quitman in the finals of last year's UIL Volleyball Championships. Poth hasn't lost a game so far in this year's playoffs.

Evans said if his team plays the way it has all season, the Lady Tigers have a good chance to end Poth's 2A reign.

"We can't get away from what got us here, which is playing good strong defense," Evans said. "We've got a game plan. We just need to execute. If we do that, we feel we've got a shot to win."

The Poth-Centerville winner will play the Big Sandy Harmony-Bushland winner at 11 a.m. Saturday for the 2A title.