By ROY HESS
Staff Writer
The Hanna Lady Golden Eagles won another close volleyball match Tuesday to remain as one of the frontrunners in the District 32-6A race.
Rivera always presents a challenge for Hanna in volleyball, and the two teams have a history of playing some epic, back-and-forth matches.
Even though both squads played well enough to win, Tuesday’s district confrontation at Hanna belonged to the Lady Eagles by a slim margin. Hanna did enough near the end of each set to surge ahead and triumph. The scores were 25-20, 25-22, 25-21.
Hanna trailed 14-8 during the opening game before winning 25-20. During the second game, the Lady Eagles broke out of a 16-16 tie and stayed ahead the rest of the game to win 25-22 after Rivera had pulled to within 23-22.
The Lady Raiders were ahead most of the way during the third set, but after a deadlock at 20, Hanna surged ahead for good to eventually take the set and the match when Odalys Gonzalez’s kill made it 25-21.
It was one of Hanna’s most complete outings of the season.
“I felt we got more together as a team (as the match went on), and we followed through (to get the win),” said Tabitha Fernandez, a senior setter for the Lady Eagles. “Most times (in the past), we would get sidetracked (at some point during a match), but this time we stuck with what we had to do (and got the sweep).
“We pushed each other to do our very best,” Fernandez added. “I think we’re doing very good in our district. It’s a very tough district. Every team has their own special abilities, and we have to be there (and play our best) in every match.”
Hanna improved to 5-1 as the second half of the district race began Tuesday. Rivera slipped to 2-4 but stayed in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Los Fresnos won 25-17, 25-23, 25-16 at home against Harlingen South on Tuesday to remain the 32-6A leader at 6-0.
Hanna and Rivera opened district play Sept. 18 on the Lady Raiders’ court. The Lady Eagles won that match 25-21, 9-25, 11-25, 25-19, 15-12.
Although Tuesday’s match at Hanna didn’t go the full five games, it was quite a battle.
“Yes, it’s a balanced district, and we swept Rivera, but all the games were in the 20s once again, and it was anybody’s match,” Hanna coach Ansgar Hagemann said. “We played awesome, and we also got lucky. It was a combination of both.
“The girls really came together defensively in this match, and I’m so proud of them for not letting down in any one of the sets,” Hagemann added. “They stayed focused on winning.
“Every match you play in this district is just going to make you a better team.”
Rivera coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra said her team played well enough to win, but added Hanna just played a little bit better.
“It was a good match,” Avelar-Guerra said. “Both teams were playing their hearts out. It’s upsetting that we lost, of course, but I told my girls ‘You played well and keep your heads up.’ This was the No. 2 team in our district, and we were there (very close to beating them).
“We just need to keep working hard and continue to try to get better so we can get to the playoffs,” she added. “It’s just a matter of us continuing to work hard.
“Hanna has a good team, and they played well. The ball just fell on their side (for the win) tonight.”
Kenya Ibarra had 18 kills and 17 digs for Rivera, and teammate Kourtney Shears had 17 assists, eight kills and seven digs. Also for Rivera, Claudia de la Garza had 16 assists and 14 digs, and Madelaine Blanco had 40 digs and a pair of kills.
For Hanna, the match stats weren’t immediately available. Hagemann said Gonzalez, Ariana Arceneaux and Nataly Davila were standout hitters at the net. He said Fernandez also was a standout as the team’s setter. The Hanna coach said Vivian Izaguirre was also a standout for his team.
District 32-6A action continues at noon Saturday. Hanna is at Harlingen High and Los Fresnos is at Rivera.