Southside rallies on final day of Wagner Tourney

AREA TEAMS INCLUDED: Burbank, East Central, Edison, Highlands, Jefferson, Kennedy, Memorial, Southside, Southwest, Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO THE SOUTHSIDE REPORTER WEBSITE:

 http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/communities/southside/article/Volleyball-roundup-5696527.php

 

Any concerns about Jefferson being decimated by heavy graduation losses have officially gone out the window.

The undefeated Mustangs (10-0) lost several key players to graduation including Melanie Ybarra, Courtney Garcia, Selena Garcia, Melanie Sheppard and Krystin Garcia after finishing third in District 28-4A. However, Jefferson adjusted to its losses without skipping a beat, evident by the fact that not only team won each of its first week matches without losing a game.

Jefferson defeated Jourdanton (4-4) 25-22, 25-17 Saturday at Edgewood Gym to complete an nine-match sweep to the Edgewood ISD Tournament.

The Mustands, led by senior standout Gabby Vasquez, defeated Jourdanton, Burbank (4-6) and Kennedy (2-6) each twice on their journey to the championship. They defeated Kennedy 25-13, 25-11 and Burbank 25-9, 25-14 Saturday.

Individual statistics for Jefferson were not available.

Burbank claimed each of its four wins in the tournament. The Bulldogs defeated Eagle Pass Winn 25-18, 25-23 and Kennedy 25-18, 25-20 on Thursday. On Friday, they defeated Memorial (2-6) in a tight match, 25-23, 25-19. Saturday’s win was a 25-27, 25-15, 25-22 decision over Young Women’s Leadership Academy (2-7).

Bulldogs sophomore Cory Sepulveda finished with eight kills and Rebekah Valma added six assists against Memorial. Valma led Burbank with seven assists against Kennedy. Senior Aponi Balderas posted a team-best six kills and Katherine Regalado chipped in with five digs.

Co-host Memorial defeated YWLA 25-20, 25-21 Thursday and Jourdanton in a 26-24, 25-23 nailbiter Friday.

Wagner Tournament

Scrappy Southside (4-4) made an impressive third-place showing at the Wagner Tournament, which took place over the weekend at Judson. The Cardinals won two of three matches on Saturday and had four wins in the two-day touranment, which they entered with a winless record.

The Cardinals began the tournament Friday with a resounding 25-15, 25-13 victory over host Wagner (0-6). After a loss to Goliad, which Southside later avenged, it edged Edison (1-5) in three sets. The Golden Bears won the first game 25-23, but the Cardinals prevailed by winning the next two 25-18, 25-7.

Southside began Saturday’s session with a 25-19, 25-21 win over Goliad (4-2). The Cardinals lost 25-21, 25-19 to eventual champion Judson (6-2), but finished with a three-set win against San Antonio Christian (2-5). Southside once again lost Game 1 (25-23), but closed with consecutive 25-21, 25-23 wins.

Highlands (3-4) also gained a bit of momentum on the final day, after losing three matches on Thursday.

The Owls lost only to Goliad in its first match on the final day, then went on to defeat District 28-5A rival Edison and San Antonio Christian. Highlands edged the Golden Bears 19-25, 25-17, 25-23 and San Antonio Christian 25-22, 26-24.

Highlands junior Jazmine Jackson had four kills against San Antonio Christian. Defensive leaders were sophomore Kiara Pesina (14 digs), Genesis Garcia (6) and Emily Pearce (5). Freshman Jazlyn Losoya dealt seven assists.

Against Edison, Jackson and junior Bryten Mitchan each pounded 12 kills. Pesina provided 26 digs and Pearce had 14. Analisa Garza led the Owls with 16 assists and Losoya was credited with 13. Edison statistics from the match were unavailable.

Edison claimed its only tournament win Friday. The Golden Bears defeated Wagner 26-24, 25-15.

No Southside statistics were available for the tournament.

Northside ISD Tournament

It was a rough weekend for East Central and Southwest (both 2-6) at the highly competitive tournament.

The District 28-6A rivals won one match apiece in the two-day tournament. East Central swept MacArthur (4-4) 25-18, 25-21 Friday. Southwest also won in two sets Saturday, defeating Pasadena Dobie 25-22, 25-18.

Southwest received five kills and five digs from junior Megan Hernandez against Dobie. Kassandra Cruz recorded a team-high six kills. Aashlyn Sulaica tracked down six digs. Angie Aguilar and Dori Martinez each distributed six assists.

Senior Brandi Campos supplied 11 digs for East Central in the MacArthur match. Nichole West came through with seven digs and four kills. Alex Pena led the Hornets with eight assists and Kaylin Mills dealt seven, to go with four kills. Freshman Skeyler Embry led East Central with five kills. Lindsey Lubianski contributed two blocks.