BROWNSVILLE — With the second set hanging in the balance, Brownsville Rivera sophomore Melanni Garza’s precise tip fell softly in front of two diving Vikings players, finding the hardwood and giving the Raiders a crucial second set victory.
The Rivera Raiders took the third set, defeating Brownsville Pace Vikings 25-14, 26-24, 25-16 in the opening match of the BISD volleyball tournament Thursday at Brownsville Hanna High School.
“They [Rivera] played good. Pace is a really good team,” Rivera head coach Mary Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra said. “I am really proud of the way they played. They fell down a bit in the second game, but they fought back and they were actually listening to what I was telling them.”
Avelar-Guerra was also proud of her team’s spirit and hopes this game provides the girls with confidence for the rest of the tournament, she said.
Multiple digs helped set up Garza’s decisive point in the second set, one of them was from senior libero Richelle Guerra.
“I am very proud of the way we played,” Guerra said. “I am proud a lot of our young ones are really stepping up.”
Early and often senior outside hitter Emily Morales found spaces between the Pace defense. Morales leapt well and was always looked for by setters. If it was not Morales being set up, Garza, one of the young ones, was found.
“I am just really proud our young girls are stepping it up,” Morales said. “Hopefully they keep it that way.”
Pace’s Luz Martinez and Dyllan and Andie Lozano-Lomeli were strong at the net, especially in that second set. Andie-Lozano Lomeli and Martinez kills combined with an Ava Davies hit that found the back corner set up the tense finish in the second set.
A poor serve gave the Raiders the 25-24 lead in the set, giving Garza her opportunity to win the set and put the Raiders in the driver’s seat to see out the match.
The first and third sets were similar for Rivera, go up midway through the set and then see it out. In both sets Rivera went on 9-3 runs to win the set after Pace narrowed the score to 16-12.
Pace bounced back against San Perlita, winning in three sets. Rivera also beat San Perlita, going undefeated in Pool 1.
Six other teams were invited to the BISD tournament. In Pool 2, Brownsville Hanna and Brownsville Porter battled with Valley View. Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Rio Grande City and Hidalgo made up Pool 3 for Day 1.
Rivera, Porter and Valley View will play in today’s Pool 1’s early matches.
Brownsville Veterans, San Perlita and Hanna are in Pool 2 and will play the same time as Rio Grande City, Hidalgo and Pace in different gyms.