By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
LYFORD — The Harlingen South Lady Hawks and Harlingen High Lady Cardinals both saw their seasons come to an end against tough opponents in the area round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Harlingen South earned 32-6A’s No. 4 seed after winning a play-in game against Brownsville Hanna. The Lady Hawks pulled off the upset to clinch their third-straight bi-district championship over District 31-6A champion Mission High on Friday.
The Lady Hawks battled San Antonio Warren on Tuesday at Corpus Christi Ray and came up short, 25-20, 25-13, 25-14. Harlingen South coach Anissa Lucio was proud of the way her team battled in their playoff match and throughout the challenging season.
“I was so proud of their effort,” Lucio said. “We played a talented team, and I was proud of the way our girls showed up and competed. I thought that our girls were working together and they were very disciplined, doing the little things right like we always talk about.
“It was amazing to be a part of (this season), and they’re just so resilient. I think that was the word to describe our team this year, they were resilient,” she added. “We graduated a big senior group, and these girls had to fill some big shoes and they were determined to do it, and I was so happy and proud to see that all their goals were met. We’re sad to see our seniors go, but we’re returning a good group next year so we’re excited, and they got great experience this year.”
Warren, the No. 3 seed in 29-6A, will face district foe and runner-up San Antonio Harlan in the regional quarterfinals. Harlan defeated Brownsville Rivera, the unbeaten 32-6A champion and No. 10 team in the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s final regular season poll, 25-18, 25-18, 25-15 on Tuesday at Corpus Christi Carroll.
Harlingen High was the No. 3 seed in District 32-6A and reached the second round after a come-from-behind bi-district win against Edinburg North. The Lady Cardinals faced a Laredo United squad ranked No. 8 in the final TGCA regular season poll.
The Lady Cardinals lost 25-10, 25-10, 25-9 to the undefeated Lady Longhorns on Monday in Roma. It marked the seventh consecutive area victory for Laredo United.