McALLEN — The PSJA High Bears’ Victoria Fuentes sent a vicious spike to the back row of the McAllen Rowe Warriors’ defense.
Rowe’s Anna Honrubia was there for the dig, but the strike knocked her down.
The Rowe defense scrambled to send the volley over.
It was the fifth set and the score was tied 8-8.
Fuentes followed up with a block to secure a 9-8 lead. It was all the momentum they needed as the game to secure a 19-25, 25-23, 26-24, 20-26, 19-17.
“She wants to win,” PSJA High head coach Caroline Cuellar about Fuentes. “She wants to win bad.”
The Bears pulled off their victory after losing the first set 19-25. They won the second and third set 25-23, 26-24.
“Our girls knew coming into this match it was going to be a battle,” Cuellar said. “They were not going to give it to us and we knew that from the get go.”
Fuentes had 22 kills on the night. Her teammate Murielle Murillo followed up with 15 kills. Vivika Villarreal had 27 digs, Talia Gomez had 10 digs for the Bears.
The intense match saw many lead changes throughout the sets.
Each team capitalized at the net on offense and defense.
Honrubia had 15 kills, 4 aces and 24 digs. Her teammate Cassidy Salinas followed up with 12 kills, 4 digs. Mia Mata had 12 kills, 15 digs and one assist.
After the Bears’ game-winning spike, the Warriors quickly left the gymnasium floor.
They were not available for comment after the game.
With the win, PSJA is in position for the third seed come playoff time. The Bears took McAllen Memorial to five sets Saturday.
“We knew it was going to be a playoff atmosphere,” Cuellar said. “They have been to the playoffs and we haven’t.”