HARLINGEN — The District 32-6A gold ball belongs to Harlingen High for the second consecutive season.
The Harlingen High Cardinals did not drop a set to the Los Fresnos Falcons in district play this season and won Tuesday night’s contest by a score of 25-22, 25-22, 25-21, capturing back-to-back district titles.
“Overall, we did a great job, we got it done by sweeping them, we could have played better, but I will take it,” Harlingen High coach Joslynn Torres said. “All the hype, adrenaline going into this game, the fact that we were able to pull it off without dropping a set, I am super proud of them.
Majority of the key players this season for the Cardinals are seniors. Senior Juli Bryant said the team was happy to pick up the title on their home court and credited the win with preparation the team did in the film room.
“We are excited,” she said with a smile. “There are no words to describe how we are all feeling right now.”
The non-senior who has had a big impact for the Cardinals this season has been Alana Rouquette.
Rouquette almost sealed the match for her team with the score 24-21, but a sturdy defensive effort stopped the Cards from running on the court.
Los Fresnos returned the ball only to give Rouquette another slap at it. Rouquette capitalized, winning the match and the district title.
Rouquette also put in a strong performance at the tail end of the second set with the set hanging in the balance. Rouquette’s block gave the Cardinals a 24-22 lead and a kill by Rouquette won the set for Harlingen High 25-22.
Los Fresnos rallied in the first set after trailing 23-14, but the comeback attempt came up just short after they cut the lead to as few as two points. Harlingen High would win another set by the score of 25-22.
No. 22 Los Fresnos (34-7, 8-2) and No. 23 Harlingen High (28-11, 9-1) both cracked the top 25 of the latest Texas Girls Coaches Association’s latest top 25 Class 6A poll coming into the match.
Facing Los Fresnos should have the Cardinals prepared for their first-round competition Torres said. Harlingen High does have eyes on a San Antonio or Laredo school in the second round as they hope for a deep playoff run.
“We are going to stay focused and get ready for what we got next week,” she said.