Flores’ serving, team’s blocking help Eagles compensate for Osife’s absence

 

Very few volleyball matches unfold without a decent-sized run developing at some point. Usually, there are at least a handful of flurries like that.

Just as it when it seemed Tuesday’s Brackenridge-Burbank would be the exception to the rule of thumb, the visitors launched a run of 10 unanswered points that didn’t leave the host Bulldogs much time to recover. With senior Miranda Flores serving, Brackenridge (6-21, 5-2) built a double-digit lead in Game 4 and polished off a hard-earned 25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 25-13 win that tied the Eagles for second place in District 28-4A with Jefferson (17-8, 5-2).

Flores’ 10-point service run, which included three aces, helped give Brackenridge its third-consecutive district victory since losing Sept. 13 to second-place Highlands (13-18, 6-1). The senior, who filled in for Eagles setter Renee Osife, was asked whether she was trying to serve a specific area of the court during the decisive run, or just stay within her comfort zone.

“It was a little bit of both,” Flores said. “I was trying to serve short because they were playing so deep.”

Despite its record, Burbank (6-18, 1-6) has been playing its best volleyball of the season lately – just like the Eagles. If not for a couple of twists and turns, it might have been the Bulldogs who won in four games Tuesday.

“They’ve been working very hard, and I couldn’t ask anything more from them,” second-year Burbank coach Toni  said. “They don’t give up in (matches) and they work hard all the way through practice. They’re just a great group of kids, and they’re getting rewarded now for their hard work.

“I think we lost a little bit of our intensity in that last game, but they were trying to get it back. It just didn’t happen tonight. Still, I can’t complain about anything. They gave 100 percent, just like they did in the offseason.”

The Bulldogs led their rivals 21-20 in Game 3 after taking winning the second game. Brackenridge never trailed in the fourth game and led after breaking a 3-3 tie with a four-point spurt.

The Eagles battled their way through Game 1 to pull away at the end, as they began to find their way without Osife, who missed the match because her sister was giving birth.

“Fortunately, Miranda stepped up,” first-year Brackenridge coach Chandra Kerley said. “When you’re missing people, it’s up to the other girls to step up. I knew they’d rise to the challenge, because that’s what they’ve done all year.

“Even though they were missing their setter and they had to adjust to that, they stepped it up tonight.”

Burbank essentially followed the same pattern in Game 2 that Brack had in the opening game. Then it  carried the momentum into the third game. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but the Eagles gradually caught up and tied the game nine times.

“They’re very scrappy,” Kerley said. “We knew, coming in, that we had to be very focused. We got a number of good opportunities. We just had to put them down.”

Although Brack dominated the net early and controlled it late, Burbank middle blocker Antwanisha Riddle (16 blocks, 15 kills) played a big role in the comeback, which was instigated by increased intensity from the Bulldogs’ back-row defense.

“I think Riddle decided this was her house, and she was going to own it,”  said. “When she makes up her mind on something, she usually gets it done.”

A kill from Burbank’s Adrianna Gutierrez provided a 23-22 edge, but the Bulldogs committed a passing error and the Eagles got yet another tying point. Brack’s Ana DeLeon recorded her third block and Burbank made a hitting error to suddenly swing the victory to the Eagles.

“It was very, very important,” Kerley said of Brack’s blocking. “What I talked to them about was keeping focused. I felt like they wanted this game a lot more than we did. I felt like we just needed to match their intensity, and that’s why we won.”

Jolicia Shelton-Brown (7 kills) delivered the kill that gave the Eagles the lead for good in Game 4. The 4-3 advantage grew to 11-6 with help from a kill by Flores (19 assists, 6 aces). Riddle made two consecutive blocks, one she shared with Bulldogs senior Leticia Gomez, to close the gap to two points.

That’s when a kill from Brack’s Darlene Jackson brought Flores to the serving line. Before Riddle stopped the run with a kill, the Eagles’ lead had reached 20-8.

Another kill from Shelton-Brown returned serve to Brack and the lead reached 13 on a Burbank hitting error. Burbank senior leader Jenna Villanueva pounded a kill.

“Jenna is an intense volleyball player,” Gorman said. “She’s our go-to player. She really is. She’s one of the best leaders in the district.”

Shelton-Brown answered again to put the Eagles at match point.

“We didn’t have that much experience at the beginning of the year,” Flores said. “I think we’re really coming along and making a big (improvement).”

Kathy Sifuentes led Brackenridge with 10 digs.

Kerley coached at Jay from 2007-11 and has coached club volleyball prior to coming to Brackenridge.

“They were a very young team,” Kerley said. “We only had four or five returnees. The rest of them played JV. They had a lot of talent. They just needed the experience.”

The Eagles are scheduled to play host to district-leading Brennan (25-3, 7-0) 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Bears are ranked No. 7 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association statewide Class 4A poll.

Osife is expected to be back in the lineup.

“I think the girls are ready for it,” Kerley said. “I’m glad it’s at home. We’ve been doing well at home.”

Alejandra Martinez supplied a match-best 22 digs for Burbank. Bekah Valma contributed eight assists. Sharriah Martinez served three aces.

“I think they’re getting a lot more consistent,” Gorman said. “They’re starting to
believe in each other, and in their selves.

“As they continue to get better, I think they’re going to surprise a lot of people.”