By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons face a tall challenge this season in District 32-6A volleyball.
They’re trying to capture a fifth straight district title which would set a school record.
The Lady Falcons are off to a strong start in their quest to achieve that goal as they improved to 2-0 in 32-6A action with Tuesday’s 25-14, 25-12, 26-24 victory at home against Harlingen South (0-2).
“We haven’t played our best volleyball yet,” said Los Fresnos’ Giselle Ibarra, a senior outside hitter. “We’re just working on it and trying our best. I think we’re becoming better with every match.”
Los Fresnos began district play last Saturday with a three-game sweep at San Benito.
The Lady Falcons will try to improve their 32-6A record to 3-0 when they take on Weslaco East at noon Saturday in Los Fresnos.
Actually, the Lady Falcons aren’t used to losing in district all that often as they’ve gone 14-0 in 32-6A during each of the past two seasons. So far, they’re following the same path taken by previous Los Fresnos teams.
Although it was a three-game sweep Tuesday for the Lady Falcons, the Lady Hawks gave them quite a battle in the third set.
“We started out super hot the first two games and then South really got hot in the third game,” Los Fresnos coach Becky Woods said. “I felt that we weren’t playing that bad, South just (got hot and) kept up with us. We’re glad to get this win. We’re 2-0 and we know we’ve got some big challenges ahead of us in district.
“I told the girls (during a timeout), ‘South lit a fire and you let yours go out,’” Woods added.
The Lady Hawks tied the score 13 times in Game 3, including the final time at 24-24. South even led three times at 9-8, 10-9 and 16-15.
But Los Fresnos kept its composure and didn’t allow the match to go beyond three games. Hitting errors by the Lady Hawks on the final two points in Game 3 allowed the Lady Falcons to sweep the match.
“We made some adjustments and definitely made some improvements tonight,” Lady Hawks coach Anissa Lucio said. “Los Fresnos has some strong hitters and our defense stepped up (in the third game).
“This is definitely a competitive district this season,” Lucio added. “It could be anyone in those those four spots (making the playoffs from our district). That’s what makes it fun.”
Ibarra led the Lady Falcons with 15 kills, four digs and two blocks. Also for Los Fresnos, Emma Stambaugh had nine digs and six kills, Kaytlin Mata had seven digs, two blocks and two kills, Sandy Salazar had five digs and four kills, Alex Garcia had eight digs, Sarah Villarreral had seven digs and 19 assists and Isis Delgado had 24 digs.
For South, Cameron Del Angel had 19 digs and seven kills, Annelle Rodriguez had six kills and six blocks, Mikela Mireles had five kills and five digs, Vanessa Santillan had 10 assists and six digs, Mya Aguirre had seven assists and five digs, and Zoe Garcia had 20 digs.
South next plays at home at noon Saturday against Hanna.