Five area teams eliminated

TEAMS INCLUDED:Harlandale, Highlands, Jefferson.

After earning a rare home bi-district match, Harlandale (24-12) nearly rode the friendly crowd’s enthusiasm to an upset win over District 30-4A champion Corpus Christi Calallen (23-8).

The Indians, who were the fourth seed from 29-4A despite finishing just one win out of first, beat the Wildcats 25-19 in Game 1. Calallen rallied to take the next two games, 25-14 and 25-16, but Harlandale wasn’t done yet. Game 4 went to the Indians by a 25-21 count. In the abbreviated fifth game, Calallen escaped with a 20-18 win and the match.

In her final match, senior standout hitter Katie Neira led Harlandale with 17 kills, 14 digs and two aces. Sabrina Esparza chipped in 11 digs and nine kills. Senior Sierra Sandoval recorded a team-high 19 digs. Catherine Silva led the Indians with 21 assists and freshman Alicia Garcia dealt 14.

Other key contributors for Harlandale were: Erika Arredondo (4 kills, 4 blocks), Jackie Espinoza (6 kills, 2 blocks) and Madaline Mendez (6 kills, 3 blocks).

Hollan Hans made 24 kills for the Wildcats.

Unfortunately, none of the area’s nine playoff qualifiers advanced past the first match in their respective tournaments. Brackenridge, East Central, Highlands, Jefferson and Sam Houston, in addition to Harlandale, were eliminated Tuesday.

Highlands

Hays (29-14) defeated the District 28-4A runner-up Owls (20-21) 25-10, 25-13, 25-10 in a Class 4A bi-district match in Buda.

Emily Pearce contributed five digs and three kills for Highlands, which took second place in District 28-4A. Setter Analisa Garza distributed 17 assists.

Jefferson

The Mustangs (24-11), the third-place finishers in District 28-4A, fell 25-11, 25-12, 25-10 to Boerne Champion (23-18) in a bi-district match at Littleton Gym.

Melanie Ybarra led Jefferson with 11 digs. Courtney Garcia dealt seven assists. Gabby Vasquez added five kills.