LOS FRESNOS — PSJA High wanted to redeem itself from last year’s defeats to start the season. In 2022, the Bears lost to Los Fresnos and then Sharyland High in a tri-match at Los Fresnos High.
PSJA High returned in 2023 a different team. The Bears swept both Los Fresnos and Harlingen South on Tuesday at Los Fresnos High School.
“I told the girls we need to start this season off strong,” PSJA High head coach Caroline Cuellar said after the victory against Los Fresnos. “I am glad we started a good note with the sweep.”
The Bears defeated the Falcons 25-17, 25-15, 25-12 in the first match of the afternoon.
PSJA High’s Johanna Montelongo and Juliana Guajardo both finished with 13 kills, and Mia Dominguez chipped in with nine. The Bears’ defense stood strong against the Falcons’ powerful hitter, Shiloh Jones, but the senior did have some kills assisted by Jenna Rios, especially during the second set.
Rios and Jones were brilliant during a 7-0 run late in the second set while Rios served. The Falcons cut a 12-point lead to five, but the Bears closed out the set.
“Our defense and blockers kept adjusting,” Cuellar said. “The first set we were still adjusting to (Jones), but the second set we started taking away the line and so forth. We were able to contain her, not stop her, but contain.”
As good as the Bears looked against the Falcons, a perennial playoff team out of District 32-6A, they struggled a bit during the opening set against District 32-5A playoff hopeful Harlingen South.
The Hawks were down just 14-13 against the defending District 31-6A champs, but it was all Bears after that. PSJA High went on to win the set 25-18 against the energetic Hawks. The Bears were nearly perfect in the second, winning 25-1, and then took the third 25-13.
“I am really proud of the team,” said Montelongo, the Bears’ captain, said. “We came in here with a game plan, and I think we executed it very well. We wanted to come in with strong serves. We have worked on that, spot serving, attacking the seams. I think we all work together really well.”
Los Fresnos swept Harlingen South to close out the day.
PSJA High, Harlingen South and Los Fresnos are set to be in tournament action beginning Thursday and return to non-district play next Tuesday.