STAFF REPORT
SAN ANTONIO — The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons were eliminated from the Class 6A state volleyball playoffs by San Antonio Churchill on Friday in the Region IV-6A Tournament semifinals at Alamo Convocation Center.
The District 32-6A co-champion Lady Falcons (37-11) lost 25-8, 25-15, 25-14 to District 26-6A runner-up Churchill (38-7), a team that advanced all the way to the state finals one season ago.
The Lady Falcons were making their first appearance at the regional tournament since 2011.
“Churchill has a very good team,” Los Fresnos coach Becky Woods said. “They’ve been ranked No. 1 in the state, and they went to the state tournament last year. We tried to hang with them, but we couldn’t.
“Still, we got up here (to the regional tournament), and that was a good accomplishment,” Woods added. “ (Rio Grande Valley teams) are slowly catching up to these teams here in San Antonio.”
Against Churchill, Sam Ibarra led Los Fresnos with seven kills. Teammates Joseline Caraveo and Alex Cano each added six kills. Alex Moya, the Lady Falcons’ libero, had 13 digs.
Churchill now faces San Antonio Clark in the Region IV-6A final Saturday with the winner advancing to next week’s UIL state tournament in Garland.
District 27-6A runner-up Clark (35-10) defeated District 30-5A champion McAllen High 25-17, 25-19, 25-18 in Friday’s second regional semifinal match.
Los Fresnos qualified for the regional tournament in San Antonio by prevailing over McAllen Rowe 25-23, 16-25, 31-29, 16-25, 15-12 in a regional quarterfinal match Tuesday in McAllen. Churchill advanced to Friday’s match against Los Fresnos by defeating San Antonio Johnson 25-18, 25-23, 25-16 in the regional quarterfinals, also Tuesday.