LOS FRESNOS — Celebrations in September for a non-district volleyball victory are an uncommon sight, unless a milestone is achieved.
Los Fresnos coach Anissa Lucio reached career win No. 200 Saturday at home after her Falcons swept the Mission High Eagles 25-16, 25-20, 25-12.
“I really was not expecting it,” Lucio said. “I did not know it was going to be around this time, but it feels really great. I think the biggest thing for me is that it is all about my team, where we are at and our goals this season. I love that it happened with this group, but there are bigger things we want to accomplish this season.”
Los Fresnos raced out to 6-0 leads in both the second and third sets behind the serving of junior Jenna Rios. Her pinpoint serves made it difficult for the Eagles to run their offense.
The easy returns allowed Los Fresnos to set up its hitters for kill opportunities. Dakota Martinez, Shiloh Jones and Addyson Vega were lethal when set up.
Falcons libero Cory Reyes sold out for digs often, and her digs would prop up nicely for the hitters to be set up. A dig by Reyes, a set up by Rios and a kill by Vega was the final movement of the match.
“We have improved so much since preseason,” Rios said. “I am just so proud of our progress.”
The Eagles found offense through the middle with Madison Garcia. Vanessa Espinosa, Alexandra Martinez and Kayla Alaniz also chipped in throughout the match. The Eagles were most competitive during the second set of the match.
The Eagles, down 15-6 at one point in the set, cut the lead to 15-12 after Garcia smashed a kill from the middle. With score 24-20, Jones delivered the set-winning kill for Los Fresnos.
A serve clinch the first set for the Falcons. Vega’s serve froze the Eagles, tucking in nicely behind the Mission High team.
“There are definitely things we need to fix and iron out,” Lucio said. “We know that, so we have been trying to tackle different things every week. Our girls have been really coachable and have been able to really improve on those things.”
Because District 31-6A and District 32-6A have only six teams this year, teams from the districts will be meeting against each other in non-district matchups during the next couple of weeks.
Los Fresnos will be in Edinburg at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against Edinburg High. Mission High takes on Brownsville Rivera at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at home.
Harlingen High takes on PSJA High at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harlingen High. Edinburg North is slated to face Weslaco High at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Edinburg North.
