MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — For once, it seemed, a crosstown rivalry wasn’t the prevailing storyline in an all-McAllen matchup.
For as much as they enjoyed pulling out a 24-26, 25-20, 25-12, 25-20 victory over McAllen Memorial on Saturday, the Lady Warriors were looking ahead to the bigger picture — a potential District 30-6A title.
No. 4 McAllen Rowe (32-4, 7-1) nudged itself in that direction after breaking free from the sixth-ranked Lady Mustangs (20-8, 6-2) in a three-way tie for first place, leaving the Lady Warriors and McAllen High (31-5, 7-1) alone atop the standings.
Up next for Rowe? McHi.
“I know,” Lady Warriors coach Magda Canales said, smiling, “back-to-back.”
Rowe crossed off the first of two rigorous tests Saturday, thanks in part to Mayda Garcia, who notched a game-high 23 kills, four blocks, 39 digs and one ace. After surrendering an 8-1 run to close out Game 1, Garcia fueled a series of Lady Warriors runs, spiking a back-row kill in Game 4 to even the season series at one apiece.
“It feels amazing,” Garcia said. “All of our hard work from (the first loss to Memorial) to now, it paid off. All the practices, all the diving on the floor, all the drills Coach has us doing, it’s paying off.”
All afternoon, the match was peppered with runs.
Rowe closed out Game 2 on a 6-0 spurt after Vanessa Lopez (22 assists) found Ryela Rodriguez (7 kills) for a slapper that rippled the net and tied it at 20. Then, Deanna Spear (16 assists) connected with Sophia Luna (12 kills) to go up one, forcing Memorial to call for time.
The Lady Warriors finished Game 3 on an 8-0 push, ignited by two Spear aces and six Memorial gaffes, either hitting too wide, too short, into the net or earning an infraction. Game 4 featured much of the same momentum, with Rowe ripping off a 7-2 run as Garcia sent a kill into the back row to make it 20-10.
“I give all props to Nikki Rowe,” Lady Mustangs coach Lorena Lopez said. “I mean, they just played all out. Nothing was going to hit the ground. They were going to keep the ball in play and it ultimately decided the match.”
The win helped erase memories of what had otherwise been an opening game steadily controlled by Rowe, which was up by as much as 20-14, before Memorial called for time.
Out of the huddle, the Lady Mustangs went on a 12-4 run, with Taylor Marburger feeding Aleya Campos for a kill and Eloise Kittleman then spotting Marburger (4 kills) for a left-handed tip. Allie Nitsch (11 kills, eight digs) followed by serving up Kailey Caldwell to bring Memorial within 23-18.
Draik Banks (seven kills, seven blocks) then posted a block-kill that tied it at 24, before Rowe sent the ball out of bounds twice.
“They came strong,” Canales said. “Memorial is a very, very good team. They have a very good offense. We were able adjust to what they were giving us. We were able to get a few blocks going. Then, it became a tipping game both ways. The key was that we were able to adjust that they were giving us.
“We were more focused (than in the first regular-season matchup). The kids were ready for the game. Knowing that we lost the first time, they really wanted it. And it showed in practice all week. And obviously it showed on the court in this game.”