Harlandale edges Southside, wins 28-5A opener
AREA TEAMS INCLUDED: Brackenridge, Edison, Harlandale, Jefferson, Providence, Southside.
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Providence embarked on its TAPPS District 4-4A schedule Aug. 29 with what might prove to be a valuable road victory at Corpus Christi John Paul II.
The Provets (9-9, 1-0) swept the Centurions 28-26, 25-12, 25-15 for their first victory of the week. Providence lost 25-17, 25-17, 25-14 to St. Anthony (12-4) Aug. 25 and 19-25, 25-15, 25-10, 25-21 to Lee (7-11) Aug. 28 in non-district play.
“I’m really pretty satisfied with where we’re at,” Providence coach Elise Denoux said. “Emily Pearson is our only senior. Our goals are really long-term. If we don’t win non-district matches, it’s not our whole focus as a coaching staff.”
In fact, Denoux said a competitive performance against Lee helped pave the way the 4-4A win.
“We lost to Lee the night before, but they have some very strong players,” she said. “That carried over to John Paul II. We had a lot of people score with kills, so that was great.”
Sophomore setter-right-side hitter Alyssa Tijerina, who played on the junior varsity in 2014, led the Provets with 32 assists, 5 aces and12 digs in Corpus Christi. Tijerina has shared setting duties with freshman Serina Leon.
“Alyssa has grown a lot in every single match,” Denoux said. “She was very efficient. She got the ball to the right players at the right times.”
Sophomore Hannah Sasser hammered 15 kills in the district match. Sasser produced 18 kills and 11 digs against Lee as well as 11 kills versus St. Anthony.
“Hannah has done a lot of work,” Denoux said. “She has really stepped up as a leader. Hannah really has learned and she’s doing the things she’s supposed to do on the court.”
Sophomore Jessica Banuelos led the Provets against St. Anthony with 14 digs.
With several returning players, Providence aims to return to the playoffs in a district that has been governed by Holy Cross and Victoria St. Joseph in recent seasons.
“On any given night, you can have a very competitive match with anyone,” Denoux said. “John Paul II had some really strong hitters. That’s why we’re trying to get our kids to the point where everybody knows her role. They have to commit to it.”
Harlandale 3, Southside 2
The Indians (13-6, 1-0) began their District 28-5A season with a win and capped off the week with a key non-district victory over Southside (7-10) Aug. 28 in the Cardinals’ gym.
Tanya Ramos led Harlandale with 12 kills and three blocks in a 25-9, 25-16, 25-23 win at Jefferson (3-8, 0-1) Aug. 25. Esme Molina finished with eight kills. Kianna Sandoval tallied 13 assists, four digs and two aces. Pamela Sandoval had a team-best 15 digs and Cassandra Munoz produced seven.
Jefferson statistics were unavailable.
At Southside, the Indians won a marathon match 25-23, 21-25, 25-22, 18-25, 15-13. Maddy Mendez and Tanya Ramos led the Indians with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Brandie Herrera dealt 23 assists and Kianna Sandoval produced 17. Pamela Sandoval led Harlandale with 21 digs. Ramos also had two blocks.
Sophomore Mia Soto unleashed 18 kills for the Cardinals. Amber Martinez chipped in 14 digs and 13 kills Tyler Bolton played an impressive overall match with 21 assists, 10 digs and two blocks. Alyssa Gallardo added 13 assists. Klaryssa Vela and Allie Herrera had nine digs apiece while Amanda Esparza contributed eight.
Edison 3, Brackenridge 0
The Golden Bears (4-8, 1-0) began their District 28-5A season Aug. 25 by defeating Brackenridge (5-18, 0-1) 25-19, 25-12, 25-10 at the Alamo Convocation Center.
Marissa Cortinas led Edison with 20 assists, 10 kills, four digs and three aces. Liann
Mayen also had 10 kills while Samantha Lara recorded eight. Kamryn Duque (10 digs),
Kayla Lyons (9 digs) and Lara (7 digs) were the Golden Bears’ defensive leaders. D’Anne Gonzalez contributed 10 assists and Mayen added four blocks.
Liz Anguiano led the Eagles with 15 digs. Eshe Malone supplied eight kills. Marquanique Freeman dealt seven assists.
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