RGVSports.com
Mission Veterans will return to the regional tournament after beating Corpus Christi Calallen 17-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 on Tuesday at Bishop.
The Lady Patriots (34-6) will face Alamo Heights at 8 p.m. Friday at the Dugan Wellness Center in Corpus Christi.
Mission Vets rallied from a sluggish start that coach Diana Lerma described as an “eye-opener” to play more aggressively in the next three games en route to their third-round win.
“Thank God it came our way,” Lerma said.
Daisy Reyna (18 kills), Gabby Lerma (15) and D.D. Ibarra (15) shared the scoring load. Lerma added 10 assists and 25 digs, and Ibarra distributed 20 assists and 20 digs. Reyna chipped in with nine blocks and six digs.
Karina Garcia had seven assists and 10 digs, and Adela Parras posted 11 digs.
“It was a total team effort, working together, that got us through it,” Diana Lerma said. “It’s not just one go-to player that made it happen. It was everyone.”
Lerma challenged her players at the Game 1 to climb out of the hole, pointing to the turnout the team had in Tuesday’s road match.
“I think we had five buses (of fans) to support us, and I told the girls, ‘These people don’t want to waste their time,’” Lerma said. “‘They believe in something you all have. You have a gift. You said you were going to be going to the Sweet 16 and it’s going to be taken away if you’re not mentally prepared. Everybody’s got to do their part.’”
That’s when Mission Vets showed more grit, securing their ticket to the regional semifinals.