By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons advanced to 6-1 in district with a 24-26, 25-6, 25-21, 25-15 win over the Harlingen South Lady Hawks on Tuesday night.
It was an extremely contentious first set, with both sides playing with high amounts of energy. South took the set 26-24, thanks to great defensive hustle and accurate kills. Malloree Mireles, Kaylie Dickens, Sonia Corona and Meghan Pachiarz all got involved early for South.
Los Fresnos bounced back during the second set with a dominant 25-6 win. Big kills from Shiloh Jones, Mia Brown, Dakota Martinez and Olivia Para put up the Lady Falcons big in the set and level in the match.
“I think we did really well, we have come a long way from where we first started,” Los Fresnos senior Mia Brown said. “At first we struggled communication-wise on and off the court. We have gone through a lot together, and I think tonight really showed that.
“I think we were just warming up. It was one of our first really big home games. We had to get the jitters out and play together. I am happy we did.”
Los Fresnos started the third set still hot and took a 5-1 lead but was answered by Harlingen South and Mireles, who had some big kills, aces and blocks. The Lady Hawks responded with a nice run to take an 11-6 lead. Kamryn Castillo and Patricia Garza pitched in with some good defense in the set and on the night.
Los Fresnos and Harlingen South sparred some more during the set, but ultimately Los Fresnos won it 25-21. Four big kills from Brown during the set — including the set clincher — gave the Lady Falcons the lead on the night.
The Lady Falcons continued their momentum during the final set with the usual suspects all playing their part. Brown, Jones, Para and Martinez stepped up big. Jennica Leal and Corey Reyes stepped up defensively, and a Savannah Smith kill finished off the Lady Hawks 25-15.
The Lady Falcons are solidifying themselves as the second-best team in the district and will hope to keep pace with the Harlingen High Cardinals when they face off with San Benito on Oct. 5.
“We are happy about our place, but I still feel like we should be in a place to get a chance at district champs, and I do not think anyone on our team is going to give up on that,” Brown said.
Harlingen South has some positives to take out of the match and will hope to bounce back against Hanna in Brownsville.