By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
PORT ISABEL — The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons appear quite intent upon capturing a third straight district championship in volleyball.
That determination showed Tuesday in a decisive 25-12, 25-15, 25-14 District 32-4A victory at home over the Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats.
The Lady Tarpons (16-8, 2-0 district) won their last two titles in District 32-3A, and on Tuesday against Rio Hondo (11-9, 1-1), they surged to a big lead early during each game and never let up.
“We’ve got a couple of small things that we want to work on, but overall we’re sitting pretty good right now,” Lady Tarpons coach Julie Breedlove said. “I like the way we’re playing, and with the improvements we’re making on a weekly basis I believe we’re right on track (to being where we want to be).
“We’re doing a real good job of playing defense, which is the backbone of our team, and actually, we’re starting to play a whole lot better all around,” Breedlove added. “Our middle blockers are doing really well, too.”
It was a case of too many unforced errors by the Lady Bobcats.
“My team is a very young team, so I think they were a little nervous and a little overwhelmed,” Rio Hondo coach Mary Salas said. “I think they picked it up in the second and third games, but we just couldn’t stop their good hitting, and that’s what happens. Now we’ll be wanting to bounce back in our next match.”
The Lady Tarpons were led by senior standouts Gaby Torres (11 kills, four digs) and Kelcie Swink (five kills, two digs). Teammates Alex Martinez and Karina Vela each recorded three aces, and Martinez added seven digs.
Also for the Lady Tarpons, Larissa Torres and Marlen Flores contributed 14 and seven assists, respectively.
For Rio Hondo, Bethany Atkinson, Victoria Aguilar and Lori Jaramillo recorded three, two and one kill, respectively. Also, Tianna Sandoval had eight digs, and Atkinson finished with seven.
Rio Hondo continues 32-4A action at home Saturday against Progreso, and Port Isabel will be at Raymondville, also Saturday in district play.
The Lady Tarpons were coming off last Saturday’s 25-19, 25-17, 25-23 sweep of Zapata at home in their district opener.