By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Defeating an opponent that is state-ranked and the defending District 32-5A champion was a little too much of a challenge for the Pace Lady Vikings on their home court Tuesday night.
The Edcouch-Elsa Lady Yellowjackets gained control early during the match and didn’t look back in winning 25-10, 25-18, 25-16.
E-E, coming off a three-set victory against Lopez on Saturday, improved to 2-0 in district. The Lady Yellowjackets, ranked No. 17 in Class 5A this week by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, improved to 23-7 on the season.
Pace slipped to 0-2 in district.
The Lady Yellowjackets were prepared for a tough match.
“We played five games with Pace, I think, both times (in district) last year, so I kept telling our girls to be ready,” E-E coach Gloria Trevino said. “Everyone in our district is trying to win that title. We were expecting at least five games from Pace tonight.
“We’re getting a little better and trying to run a quicker offense,” Trevino added. “Our defense is pretty sound, but of course they know their strengths and weaknesses on this team.”
Pace coach Pamela McCumber said Ana Cano, a setter/hitter, gave a strong effort for the Lady Vikings.
“Ana Cano did great,” McCumber said. “Edcouch did great defensively, and I thought a few times Ana got them to be on their toes.”
Pace never led during the first game as E-E won 25-10. Pace trailed 7-1 during the second set before battling back to tie it at 8, 9, 10, 12 and 18. From there, E-E scored the next seven straight points to take the second set 25-18.
During the third game, Pace led early 3-1 before the Lady Yellowjackets gained ties at 3, 4 and 9. From there, E-E went ahead for good 10-9 when the Lady Yellowjackets had a hit go off a Pace player and carry out.
E-E won the final point of the set and match when Pace couldn’t get the ball over the net on three hits.
Stat leaders for E-E included Endiya Devoe (seven kills, one ace, four digs), Arissa Cavazos (one kill, one assist, one ace, 26 digs), Sarah Flores (seven kills, 19 assists, one ace, seven digs), Bryanna Pena (three kills, five aces, seven digs), Meagan Acevedo (five kills, 13 assists, four aces, nine digs) and Veronica Elizondo (seven kills, three aces, seven digs).
On Saturday, Pace next plays Lopez. E-E next plays Donna High.