BELTON -- The A&M Consolidated volleyball team has lineup flexibility that can make the start of matches look like the feeling-out process in boxing, and the Lady Tigers absorbed a few punches early in their bi-district match against Georgetown.

Consol shook off those blows and fought back to knock the Lady Eagles out of the Class 5A state playoffs with an 18-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-22 victory at the Mayborn Center on the Mary Hardin-Baylor campus.

The Lady Tigers (30-10) won their playoff opener for the second consecutive season after a four-year drought. Consol, the District 13-5A champion, advanced to the area round to face The Woodlands (17-13) at a date and site to be determined.

Georgetown, which placed fourth in 14-5A, finished the season at 22-14.

Consol had more firepower, but the Lady Tigers couldn't get into sync in the opening game. Georgetown went on a 9-2 spree to end the game and threaten Consol's plans for an extended playoff run.

"The first game was a little shaky," senior Kathryn Laza said. "I was worried. It's my senior year, and I don't want to stop now."

Like a boxer changing tactics, Consol coach Adam Cornell made a couple of lineup adjustments to start the second game. Leading hitter Carli Kolbe switched from the right side to the left, and Shanell Robinson took over at middle blocker.

The Lady Tigers responded with a match-changing run midway through the second game. Consol took off on a 15-5 spurt that was jump-started when setter Hillary Parker began to connect with 6-foot-4 sophomore Karla Gilbert on quick middle attacks.

"I think they got comfortable with that lineup," Cornell said. "That's what happens when we're comfortable passing the ball. It gave Hillary opportunities to run a little more complicated offense. Karla was everything we needed to get the momentum going."

Gilbert had three of her 10 kills and a block during the charge.

Kolbe quashed Georgetown's comeback hopes with a dominating performance in the third game, delivering seven of her match-high 20 kills. The Lady Eagles scored four consecutive points to creep within 23-22 before Kolbe notched two kills to end the game.

The third game was close all the way, but Consol played better at the end. The Lady Tigers took the lead for good on a 4-0 run that featured two kills by Mimi McFarland. Georgetown closed the gap to 23-22 again, only to encounter the same fate with Kolbe delivering the last two points on spikes.

While Kolbe and Gilbert were wowing the crowd at the net, Laza played a tremendous all-around game. The libero made 42 digs and was involved in many of the Lady Tigers' big points.

"We didn't pass well in the first game, so we focused more on passing in the second game," Laza said. "That's my job as libero, and I really felt responsible for getting us going."

Many of Laza's digs led to scoring opportunities, and Cornell was pleased with how her defensive work translated into offense.

"She was not only digging tough balls, but digging them to a place where Hillary had options," Cornell said. "That's what is going to make us successful."

Parker had 38 assists for the Lady Tigers.

Georgetown got 15 kills from Jessica Wendell.

NOTES -- The second-round playoff match against The Woodlands is expected to be played Friday night, with Magnolia and Montgomery the most likely sites. The Woodlands, which knocked Consol out of the playoffs two years ago, is the third seed from 15-5A.

• Larry Bowen's e-mail address is larry.bowen@theeagle.com.