McALLEN — The rumors of McAllen High’s volleyball demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Well, that’s not how first-year head coach Michael Smith put it verbatim after the Bulldogs’ 25-14, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19 victory over McAllen Rowe during a key District 31-5A matchup Tuesday at the McAllen High Gym.
But it was pretty close to what author Mark Twain said regarding his death.
“I’ve got 14 girls here who want to fight,” he said. “A lot of people are ready to count us out but I’ve got 14 girls who want to fight. That’s what it is.”
The win improves McHi to 5-3 in district, tied with McAllen Rowe for third place. Depending on how Sharyland High did, there could be a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots.
it’s also the second straight win ver the district’s Power 5” teams, the five teams that have been ranked in the state according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association poll those teams include McHi, Rowe, McAllen Memorial, Sharyland High and Sharyland Pioneer
“We talked all week that we gotta outwork them,” Smith said. “Every team that comes on this floor, we want to outwork them. They know what happened the first round in district. We know where we are sitting right now. We know where everybody thinks we’re gonna be, but we are gonna work.”
Senior Ada Sadlier put pretty much the finishing touches on the match, collecting back-to-back kills that gave the Bulldogs a 24-18 advantage during the fourth set. Her second one pounded the court with extra intensity.
“All I was thinking was that I’m going to jump and put the ball on the floor,” Saldier said. “I wanted nothing more in that moment and I succeeded and I’m grateful for that set and grateful for that pass. It was amazing.”
Cone back later for a full version of this story.
—–Original Message—–