Edinburg regroups, cruises in bi-district

EDINBURG -- Any lingering doubts about Edinburg High's play during the last two matches of the regular season were checked at the door.

The Lady Bobcats brushed off two disappointing losses to end the regular season to sweep Brownsville Hanna 25-17, 25-16 25-22 in bi-district action Tuesday at Edinburg.

Edinburg advances to play McAllen High Saturday.

The Lady Bobcats, who were aiming for their first district championship since the 1970s, squandered a one-game lead in the standings, finishing second in District 31-5A.

"Very few coaches know what its like to have the pressure of winning the first district title in 32 years. We had it in our grasp with 32 years weighing on you," Lady Bobcats coach Deanna Dominguez said. "These girls have a lot of heart so they felt that they did not only disappoint me but themselves and the school."

Edinburg setter Jenetta Sanchez, who recorded 24 assists in the match, said the losses to Harlingen South and Edinburg High to conclude the season was in the back of the team's mind. Sanchez said, however, they had to fight on.

"It hurt when we loss but I think because of those two loses it helped to get the will to win," Sanchez said. "It hurt all of us because we know how hard we worked. I'm glad it happened when it did and not now."

With the past behind them, the Lady Bobcats (20-9) focused on the Lady Golden Eagles (19-10), who struggled with the Edinburg's tipping game.

"I thought we were blocking more than we had in the past," Lady Eagles coach Bea Carranza said. "It was the tips that were hurting us. Their setter is very smart. They were tipping and we were watching."

None of the Hanna players had experienced a playoff match. The inexperience showed in the Game 2 when the Lady Bobcats jumped out to a 14-4 lead. During that Edinburg run, Hanna committed 11 unforced errors.

The Lady Eagles led briefly 13-12 during the third Game but Edinburg pulled away with an 11-4 run. The match ended on a tip kill by Yari Salinas (12 kills).

"We were ready for their outside hitter. We knew where they were going to hit," Dominguez said. "We just did out part as far as our passing game."

Peter Rasmussen covers high school volleyball for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail prasmussen@themonitor.com.