NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN – McAllen High and McAllen Rowe met on the volleyball court once again, this time to decide second and third seeds in the 30-6A playoffs.
The district standings won’t change but the Bulldogs proved they are playing some of their best volleyball in the 26-24, 25-22, 25-21 sweep of the Warriors at McAllen High School on Saturday afternoon.
The teams could have flipped a coin to break the deadlock, but McHi coach Paula Dodge didn’t want to leave her team’s fate to chance. With many playoff-bound teams in action Saturday playing tune-up matches, the showdown doubled as an opportunity to prepare.
“Normally, I would probably flip for something like this but we definitely wanted to get that second seed for the matchup,” Dodge said.
Both teams finished district with identical 11-3 records, with two losses to McAllen Memorial and split their season series.
“This game honestly boosted our confidence for the postseason,” Senior Gabi Gomez said after the win. “The win over Rowe is the best feeling you get, especially for the rivalry in McAllen. You just do it for the fans who want to see us succeed and want to see us grow as a team.”
McHi will face district 29-6A No. 3-seed Laredo LBJ 6 p.m. Tuesday at Roma Middle School.
“We wanted that win so we don’t have to play the second-place team,” Bulldogs leading hitter Lexi Gonzalez said. “We worked really hard in this game and just gave it our all.”
Gonzalez notched 22 kills to lead the Bulldogs, including the match-winner which hit the floor after the Rowe block couldn’t keep the rally alive.
The Warriors held a lead in the first set but McHi came back from 21-19 and 22-20. The home team needed extra points but prevailed 26-24.
The second set was close again but Rowe’s Jackie Alanis was slowed a few too many times by the active block and defense from McHi. She still had 27 kills in the loss.
“We’ve been working really hard on defense,” Gonzalez said. “Every practice we practice and practice and so that’s what makes us better at passing against the hardest hitters in the Valley.”
Madison Helmcamp had 13 digs and led the team with 23 assists. Damaris Llanas added another 11 digs and Gonzalez had six digs. Between the initial passes from hard shots and the block, the Bulldogs played impressive team defense.
“It’s important to play defense so that way we can slow down the hitters and get the ball up and have our hitters kill the ball so we can earn some points,” Libero Audrey Zamora said.
Rowe won the first meeting between the two teams but McHi swept the next two matchups.
Gonzalez said the team’s growth has been fun to watch. The addition of freshman Celina Saenz, who had seven kills, has done a lot to balance the team with a capable hitter and defender.
“At the beginning (of the season) we were a little shaky but then our chemistry just grew by the season and now we’re playing amazing for each other,” Gonzalez said. “I’m so happy they called (Saenz) up to varsity around halfway through (the season). She’s been really good.”
Rowe will host Laredo United at 7 p.m on Tuesday. The United Longhorns spent time in first place but were edged out by Laredo Alexander for the district championship in the last game of the regular season.