Harlandale also opens 29-4A with victory, beating Uvalde in three games

HERE’S A LINK TO THIS STORY ON THE SOUTHSIDE REPORTER WEBSITE: 

http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/southside/news/article/Volleyball-roundup-4819234.php

Teams included: Brackenridge, Burbank, Edison, Fox Tech, Harlandale, Highlands, Holy Cross, Jefferson, Lanier, McCollum. South San, Southside.

By Mike Considine

Resiliency is a quality that isn’t often discussed, but can be crucial to a team’s success. McCollum is a key example.

The Cowboys (5-16, 1-0) began their season with just two players with any varsity experience. A third, libero Alex Garcia, hoped to return from a terrible car accident last spring. The majority of the roster, though, was young and unproven.

After taking its lumps through a brutal non-district schedule, McCollum started to prove itself last week. The Cowboys defeated Burbank (5-16) Sept. 10 and Southside (4-16, 0-1) Friday, two teams comparable to themselves, in three and four games, respectively.

“I kept trying to tell the girls something positive to take out of each of the opponents we faced,” McCollum coach Rose Ann Martinez said, referring to the early-season schedule. “I kept telling them, ‘It’s just going to help us in district.”

McCollum won its final tuneup before the district season 25-16, 25-19, 25-21. The momentum carried over to the match against Southside. Both matches were played at McCollum.

“Playing Burbank right before district gave us a lift,” Martinez said. “Playing Southside was good, too, because I think we had more energy.”

The Cowboys defeated the rival Cardinals 25-14, 25-15, 21-25, 25-20.

Neyda Sanchez led McCollum with 14 kills. Jasmine Cordova, who has filled Garcia’s lineup spot, made 23 digs. Sophomore setter Savannah Borjas distributed 20 assists. Emily Solis served three aces.

“In the third game, I changed the lineup a little and that always changes the (dynamics),” Martinez said. “I’m glad we came back in the fourth game and ran with it. It’s been fun, those past two matches.”

Alyssa Gallardo led the Cardinals with 19 assists and 18 digs. Cristina Guerra put down 11 kills. Ariana Cisneros served three aces. Amber Munoz produced 1.5 blocks.

“This team really believes, every day, that we’re going to win,” Martinez said, “even when we were 1-7, they believed.”

Although she is physically unable to play during her senior season, Garcia has remained very much a part of the Cowboys.

Garcia suffered brain damage from the car accident and was in a coma for 10 days. Her recovery has been miraculous. She was practicing with the team early in the season, but was unable to continue because of her condition.

Nonetheless, Garcia is attending all of McCollum’s home games.

“When she was trying to play, she was having (severe) headaches every day and she was still in therapy three times a week,” Martinez said. “The doctors decided that she shouldn’t play. She was suffering from anxiety, because she was so anxious to get out there and play.”

McCollum will play host to Uvalde Tuesday and travel to archrival Harlandale Friday. Both matches will start at 6 p.m.

“In my opinion, Harlandale probably will be district champions,” Martinez said. “They have everybody returning and they’re just too tall. It’s funny how we’re 1 ½ miles apart, and they have all the height.

“Fortunately, we’ve seen height all season. I hope that’ll help us.”

Harlandale d. Uvalde

The Indians began its 29-4A season in impressive fashion, defeating Uvalde () 25-21, 25-11, 25-23 Friday at Harlandale.

Freshman setter Alicia Garcia  led the Indians with 16 assists, 11 digs and three aces. Senior Katie Neira blasted 11 kills, made seven digs and had two blocks. Catherine Silva finished with eight digs and seven assists.

Other top Harlandale hitters were Madeline Mendez (2 blocks) with seven kills, Erika Arrredondo with five, Yolanda Garcia (3 blocks) with four kills and Jackie Espinosa with four kills. Other defensive contributors were Sierra Sandoval (18 digs), Cera Cerda (12 digs) and Kelly Landin (5 digs).

Highlands d. Brackenridge

The Owls (11-17, 4-1) maintained second place in District 28-4A Friday with a close 26-24, 25-22, 25-20 win over fifth-place Brackenridge (6-21, 2-2) at the Eagles’ gym.

Analisa Garcia was credited with 20 assists and Jessica Alvarez made 15 digs to keep Highlands on a roll with three consecutive wins since losing their district opener to first-place Brennan (22-3, 5-0).

Jazmine Jackson recorded eight kills for the Owls. Melody Guzman served three aces. Bryten Mitchan had three blocks.

For Brackenridge, senior Renee Osife finished with 28 assists and eight digs. Jolicia Shelton-Brown contributed 12 kills and five digs. Front-court players Darlene Jackson (5 kills, 3 blocks), Miranda Flores (5 digs) and Keimoria Wiseman (2 blocks) also made their presence felt. On defense, Kathy Sifuentes supplied nine digs, Priscilla Martinez had seven and Dominique Ramirez had five.

Jefferson d. Fox Tech

Jefferson (15-7, 3-1) bounced back from a loss to Brennan Sept. 10 to down the Buffaloes (9-23, 1-4) 25-14, 25-17, 25-10 Friday at Fox Tech.

Mustangs statistics were unavailable.

Fox Tech received 15 assusts and six digs from Ruby Chapa. Valerie Villarreal made 18 digs. Elisabeth Crane recorded eight kills and seven digs. Ruby Zavala also made eight kills. Elizabeth Narezo and Brianna Campos finished with five digs apiece.

Edison d. Lanier

Lanier (5-15, 2-3) won the first game 25-20 Friday at Edison, but the Golden Bears (7-19, 3-1) showed their resolve with the come-from-behind victory. Edison completed the win 25-16, 25-19, 25-13 and remained tied Jefferson for second in 28-4A.

Karen Guerrero (13 digs) and Paula Moreno led the Golden Bears with 12 kills each. Marissa Cortinas had a fantastic match with 29 assists and eight digs. Lauren Gutierrez dealt 12 assists. Juanita Gomez made 12 digs.

Amy Marcos and Kalani Woods (2 blocks) added nine kills apiece for Edison. Elizza Torres and Destiny McCarty each had four kills. Joanna Benavidez contributed five digs.

For the Voks, LeeAnna Martinez (7) and Yulisa Beltran (2) were blocking standouts. Martinez also knocked down five kills. Sarah Chavez chipped in with 13 digs and 10 assists. Emily Hueta gave Lanier 10 digs.

South San d. St. Anthony

The Bobcats (12-7) made short work of a difficult opponent Friday at St. Anthony (13-9). South San defeated the Yellowjackets 25-14, 27-25, 25-19.

No individual statistics were available for South San.