By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
The fourth-place Harlingen High Lady Cardinals took a step forward in the District 32-6A standings as they knocked off the third place Hanna Lady Golden Eagles 25-21, 15-25, 22-25, 25-15, 16-14 on Saturday at Hanna.
The Lady Cardinals (5-4) looked as though they were down for the count following a rout in Game 2 and a narrow defeat in Game 3, but they battled back to win the match in nail-biting fashion.
The Lady Eagles (6-3) held a 13-9 lead in the decisive fifth game, but a timeout by Harlingen High coach Jennifer Martinez rallied her team. The Lady Cardinals scored seven of the next eight points and sealed the deal.
An emotional Martinez was extremely proud of her team following the win.
“We needed this win to carry on to the playoffs,” she said. “It’s important for us to win because we’ve been working so hard. We struggled in the beginning (of the season), and we haven’t been to the playoffs in years. That’s our goal.”
It was apparent the match would be close from the start. Momentum shifted multiple times during the first game, but Harlingen High earned the win.
Unsettled by the result, Hanna came back and dominated Game 2, winning 12 straight points for the win. The Lady Eagles took a 2-1 lead in games after fending off a feisty Harlingen High team during the third game.
The Lady Cardinals forced the deciding fifth game after returning the favor, winning 12 straight points — aided by multiple tag-team blocks by Anabel Ricardo and Addison Dickey — during the fourth game to tie the match.
Hanna is still in sole possession of third place, but the loss decreases its lead to just one game. Hanna coach Ansgar Hagemann isn’t losing sight of his team’s opportunities.
“We could have almost clinched a playoff spot today,” he said. “But there are still five games left and we’re in a good position, so we’re not going to get nervous.”
Hanna’s Pam Ellis led all players with 21 kills, and teammate Bianca Olivares led the way with 28 assists.
Harlingen High’s blocks had a huge impact on the match. Ricardo had seven blocks and nine kills, and Dickey added six blocks on 10 kills.
Harlingen High will play host to the San Benito Greyhounds at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, and Hanna will travel to Brownsville Veterans Memorial to take on the Chargers at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.