KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
LA FERIA — The defending district champs have found their groove and are heading into the second round of district play with confidence.
On Tuesday, La Feria swept Rio Hondo 25-17, 25-16, 25-16 and is 6-1 through the first round of 32-4A play.
The Lionettes’ only blemish came against Hidalgo earlier this season. Hidalgo picked up a win Tuesday night and remained in sole possession of first place with a 7-0 district record.
“We are feeling really good right now,” La Feria’s Natalie Gonzalez said. “We had a little bit of a hiccup against Hidalgo, but since then we have re grouped and have studied our opponents better, and we have made adjustments and we are excited for the second round.”
La Feria begins the second round of district play against Progeso on Saturday.
“We are still working on staying consistent, that is always a challenge,” La Feria coach Rebea Fraga said. “Hidalgo is our only loss, so the challenge is to keep pace with Hidalgo, and when that game comes we want to be ready. Now that we are in the back half of district, it’s about seeding and having an opportunity to compete for district.”
La Feria has won four straight and, Tuesday, the Lionettes wasted no time in getting ahead of Rio Hondo.
Sierra Salinas led the offensive attack with a team-high 14 kills along with one block, three digs and one ace. Karina Diaz fed the offense with a team-high 26 assists and finished with nine digs and one ace. Felicity Watson led the team in digs with 11.
“We worked together as a team through the first half, that was big for us,” Diaz said. “We found a rotation that we liked, and we are playing good volleyball right now. We still have some things we need to work on, but we are rotating girls around and whoever is put in, it does not matter, we know we can get the job done.”
Meanwhile, Rio Hondo finishes the first round with a 3-4 record and is in the mix for a playoff bid. Against La Feria, senior Taylor Gomez notched seven kills and 13 digs, and teammate Kelsey Pizarro finished with four kills and 13 digs.
Rio Hondo will travel to unbeaten Hidalgo (7-0) on Saturday.
TEACHER VS. STUDENT
The past four years, Lizzette Esparza patrolled courtside for the Lionettes, serving as an assistant under Fraga.
Esparza is now the head coach in Rio Hondo and, Tuesday, Esparza faced her former team for the first time.
“It was tough, I had to stop and mentally prepare for it, but I told the girls this game was about us and keeping our spot for the playoffs,” Esparza said. “When I left PSJA Memorial and came to La Feria, I grew as a volleyball coach under Coach Fraga, she is phenomenal at what she does. At first we were coworkers, and now over time we became good friends and I talk to her every night, we have a great relationship.”
Fraga also had high praise for her former assistant.
“At first it was really awkward seeing her dressed as an opponent,” Fraga said. “This was the first time I faced her as an opponent. We have seen each other at tournaments but we had not played each other until tonight. Once the whistle blew we led our teams, but of course after the match we were back to being friends.”