EDINBURG — The Harlingen Cardinals came back from a two-set deficit to beat the Edinburg North Cougars 22-25, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23, 15-5 Thursday in the Bi-District round of the Class 6A volleyball playoffs at Edinburg North
Following a slow start in the first set, North’s senior libero Evana Ramos sparked her team with key save after key save. It was another standout performance for Ramos, who played her final game as a Cougar.
The Cougars took a commanding 2-0 lead over the Cardinals as Ramos, who will sign to play for UTRGV on Saturday, led her team both offensively and defensively.
Going into a third set facing elimination, Cardinals head coach Joslynn Torres reminded her team of last year’s preseason matchup against the Cougars.
“Last year, we came and played Edinburg North in a preseason game and it was the same exact thing where we went down two and we came back and won the next three,” Torres said. “Obviously, I have returners, so I said, ‘Hey, we’ve been in this situation before and we’ve done it on their home court. Let’s do it now when it counts the most. When it matters the most, in the playoffs, to go to the next round.’”
Following a point scored by Edinburg North for an 8-7 lead in the fourth, it looked as if the Cougars were ready to take control of the match. But Harlingen didn’t roll over.
The Cardinals took the lead behind sophomore Juli Bryant’s offensive and defensive efforts and never looked back, winning the fourth set 25-23.
On the verge of the completing comeback, the Cardinals didn’t let off the gas, winning the fifth set in decisive fashion, 15-5. Once again it was Bryant coming up huge for the Cardinals with key blocks and the game-ending kill.
“She’s a sophomore, so she’s only 15 years old,” Torres said. “She has a lot of work, mentally, to grow up. But, obviously things like this are what’s going to push her to get that maturity. The mental part of the game. But huge improvement for her today from what I’ve seen all season. I’m just so proud of her.”
Edinburg North finishes its season with an 11-4 record. Head coach Raul McCallum declined to comment following the team’s loss.
As for Harlingen, it will play the winner of Laredo United-Taft on Monday with match details to be announced.
“This year, everyone has always underestimated us,” Torres said. “We’ve just always tried to prove ourselves. And here we are. We chipped away one point at a time and one set at a time. Just thank God we got the win.”