By ROY HESS
Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons are all business when it comes to winning District 32-6A championships in volleyball.
The Lady Falcons made quick work of the San Benito Lady Greyhounds 25-22, 25-11, 25-21 on Tuesday night at the Los Fresnos gym to wrap up another 32-6A championship.
It was the final night of 32-6A action. The Class 6A bi-district playoffs start next Monday and Tuesday.
Harlingen South defeated Hanna 25-18, 25-21, 19-25, 10-25, 15-13 on Tuesday, meaning it was an outright district title for the Lady Falcons and their first 32-6A title since 2016. The Lady Falcons finished second behind Rivera in district last season.
Fittingly, the Los Fresnos seniors were honored before the match.
“We’re super excited because we’ve been working hard, especially the seniors for four years now,” said Los Fresnos’ Emma Stambaugh, a senior middle blocker/outside hitter. “There are 10 of us who are seniors, so this feels very good for our last ride (to a district championship) with a good win (to close the regular season).
“With this group of seniors, it was definitely our expectation (to win district again),” Stambaugh added. “We’re ready for the postseason now, and we’re going to practice even harder than we’ve been practicing already because we want to make a long run in the playoffs this year.”
Victoria Hernandez led Los Fresnos with 14 kills. Stambaugh and Sandra Salazar each added 10 kills. Also for the Lady Falcons, Isis Delgado, Jovanna Adame and Hannah Castillo had 24, 13 and eight digs, respectively, and Sarah Villarreal finished with 47 assists.
Lady Falcons coach Becky Woods was pleased with the victory and district crown, especially for her players who are graduating.
“I think it’s great for the seniors,” Woods said. “We didn’t want to look ahead (to the playoffs). We wanted to focus on this match with San Benito and take care of business.
“Winning district was always my expectation for this team,” she added. “They were all together (as teammates), and I knew I had a great team. These girls have been playing together for three and four years, so I knew when they formed this team it was going to be a special group.
“I love every one of them. They’re just good kids.”
Los Fresnos finished district play with a 9-1 record. San Benito ended at 3-7.
There were six early ties during the first game before the Lady Falcons went ahead for good, 8-7, on a Lady Greyhounds net violation, and eventually put away the opening set, 25-22, on a tip that landed just inside the back line.
Los Fresnos went out in front quickly during the second game before winning it decisively 25-11 on a tip by Hernandez.
San Benito gained its biggest lead of 17-14 during the third game when the Lady Falcons made a block, but it carried out.
From there, the final set was tied at 18 and at 21, but Los Fresnos wouldn’t be denied. A powerful down-the-line kill by Salazar made it 25-21 and closed out the match, allowing the Lady Falcons’ district championship celebration to begin.
When the Lady Falcons played the Lady Greyhounds in San Benito during the first round of district Oct. 2, Los Fresnos won 25-17, 25-21, 25-20.