KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
HARLINGEN — After Friday’s Bird Bowl XXV win on the gridiron, the Lady Cardinals aimed to sweep their crosstown rival Harlingen South on the volleyball court Tuesday.
Despite a fiery effort from the Lady Hawks, the Lady Cards silenced the home crowd with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-20 sweep.
With the win, Harlingen (5-3) remains in the hunt for the District 32-6A title and a playoff spot. Up next is a tough road test at district leader Brownsville Rivera (8-0). Rivera swept Harlingen earlier in the season.
“This win is huge to start the second round,” said Lady Cards coach Joslynn Torres. “We could not afford to lose this game then travel to Rivera. There was so much emotions in this game being that it’s Bird Bowl, but we did what we needed to do and picked up the win.”
The Lady Cards overcame a slow start, falling behind 9-2 in the first set with all the momentum in favor of South. But like they have done all season, the Lady Cards rallied behind senior Yazmine Martinez, who led the team with 15 kills while fellow senior Kirsten Kattan notched 11 kills. Julissa Munivez led the way with 24 digs while Alina Prado finished with a team-high 23 assists.
“We tried a new lineup in our first set,” said Torres. “We feel behind in that first set and I told the girls I had complete confidence in them and I knew we would come back and win. South has a very good team and the home court had an effect, but our girls answered the call and got the job done.”
Through the second and third set it was a seesaw battle. Harlingen saw its 14-8 lead slip away with Harlingen South rallying and tying the score at 25- all. Harlingen buckled down and showed its big game experience by scoring the final two points.
“It’s a little sad, this being the last time I play South,” said Martinez. “We came out with the win tonight and did some things we wanted to do. Coach had total confidence in us to adjust and make plays. We never felt we were in trouble we just played our game. This time around they (South) had more fight and got better from the last time we played.”
Bitter Sweet Homecoming: Coach Torres is no stranger to the Harlingen South gym. Torres, who is a graduate of Harlingen South and also played volleyball as a Lady Hawk, had her coaching debut in the gym she once played in.
“It was weird coming back as a coach and coaching in the gym I once played in,” said Torres. “Coach (Brian) Molina greeted me at the bus and had an umbrella waiting for me. It’s always fun to come back. It’s definitely surreal coming back as a coach trying to beat the team I once played for and I wish South the best down the road.”