NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Sharyland Pioneer defended its home court and stopped a surging PSJA Memorial unit in straight sets Tuesday night in Mission.
The Diamondbacks swept the Wolverines 25-14, 25-16, 25-17 to improve to 8-4 on the season.
The visitors from Alamo dropped to an identical 8-4 record, but fall behind due to their second loss to the Diamondbacks this season.
Pioneer junior libero Shelby Cavazos explained as time went on her team has meshed well.
“We’ve evolved with our chemistry since we have a lot of new freshmen,” Shelby Cavazos said. “We have a lot of new meat on the team but we’ve really come together and played a good game of volleyball.”
Ninth-grader Natalie Reyes is one of those promising freshmen whose been a big part of the team’s season that will continue onto the postseason.
Reyes had 3 aces and 36 assists to set up her team’s attack. Daizy Coronado led the team in kills with 13 to go along with three blocks and four digs. Daniela Alvarez and Thalia Ochoa both had seven kills.
“We knew coming in they had taken Sharyland High the last time they played and in the second round lots of things can happen,” Pioneer coach Laura Cavazos said after the win. “I think we did a really good job serving tonight. That’s something that we had struggled with so we’ve been really focusing on it in practice. I also think we’re pretty good on offense, getting a lot of touches and moving the ball around.”
The Diamondbacks looked quicker to the ball and more aggressive from the start. Pioneer took big leads in the first two sets and even in set three when Memorial managed ties at 6, 10 and 11 the close game play was cut short.
Prior to the defeat, PSJA Memorial had strung together five consecutive victories. Including a 3-2 win over Sharyland High to begin the streak and close the first round of district.
“We take no one lightly but with them, they were a good challenge, they play really good out there, but we took the victory,” Cavazos said.
PSJA Memorial’s top attackers were Aneth Garza and Ashley Garza. According to Wolverines coach Estefania Portillo, Garza shifted over to play middle hitter away from her usual position of outside to give another look.
Pioneer’s Samantha Ayala had 10 digs, five kills and three aces.
The service that Laura Cavazos mentioned had PSJA Memorial on their heels all match. Coronado had an ace and got an endorsement from her coach as a standout serving in recent weeks.
“If we serve aggressively we’re able to take out the other team, that’s my main thing,” Coronado said. “I’m more consistent lately and it’s surprising. I focus on that because it’s my last year so I don’t miss any serves as much.”
Coronado, who serves as team captain, is happy that her younger teammates are keeping the energy high. As seniors prepare for their final postseason run, some of the newer varsity players are getting ready for their first.
“A lot of new girls bring a lot of new stuff to the team,” Shelby Cavazos said. “And we have a lot of old volleyball so that’s a good combination.”
Coronado knows not only the upperclassmen want to make this the Diamondback’s most successful playoff run.
With Mission Veterans owning the first spot, the next three spots are still yet to be determined. Sharyland High has the edge for second place at 9-3 with matches left against PSJA Southwest and PSJA Memorial.
Edcouch-Elsa, Brownsville Veterans, Donna High and Brownsville Lopez make up the top four teams, in order, to the east in 32-5A, which will be the first-round opponents for 31-5A.
Pioneer ends its season against Roma and Rio Grande City, while PSJA Memorial faces undefeated Mission Vets before finishing the regular season against Sharyland High.
“I’m just trying to encourage the girls,” Coronado said. “I want to go far, make history, and go to the third round. They’re just so talented and they want to prove why they’re on varsity, they want to make history too.”