Volleyball Playoff Roundup: Monday's Games

ROMA — Sharyland overcame a slow start before rallying to defeat Laredo United 17-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-20 in a Class 5A bi-district playoff on Monday night at Roma High School.

After the Lady Rattlers dropped the first game, they fell behind 6-1 in the second game before kicking it into gear.

“We came out a little flat,” Sharyland coach Lizette Torres said. “In game two, there was a sense of urgency and the kids came out a whole lot better. Our defense was big (Monday). “

Sharyland, which finished No. 2 in Valley Freedom Newspapers’ final regular season rankings, improved to 29-14. The Lady Rattlers will face the winner of tonight’s match between Brownsville Rivera and Harlingen South in the area round this weekend.

Torres attributed her team’s slow start to nerves on her players and unfamiliarity of its opponent. Once her team settled down, the hitting errors became minimal and its confidence soared.

“Some of the kids had never been in that particular situation,” Torres said. “Once they got comfortable, they realized it’s just another game and they were ready to go.”

LOS FRESNOS DEF. EDINBURG ECONOMEDES: At Los Fresnos, Leigha Brown had 20 kills, 14 blocks and six digs for Edinburg Economedes, but it wasn’t enough as the top-ranked Lady Falcons prevailed 25-13, 25-10, 30-28.

“Leigha has been dominant for us all season,” Economedes coach Araceli Ortega said. “She sets the tone for our offense and defense. Our girls really feed off her. … We knew we were coming into a match against a team with a quick offense and quick defense. We were just going to try to counteract it and do our best.”

The Lady Jaguars (19-16) also got 18 assists from Kenia Gonzalez.

The Lady Falcons (34-2), who will play either McAllen High or Eagle Pass this weekend, wre led by Gloriana Villarreal’s 18 kills and 11 digs. Ashley Ortega had 15 kills, Hayley Weaver 54 assists and Debbie Lozano with 10 kills and three blocks.

Los Fresnos fell behind by nine points in the third game before coming back to win it.

“We faltered a little bit in the third game,” Weaver said, and maybe got a little too comfortable. But, to be able to come back from a big deficit like that is very encouraging in postseason play.”

ORANGE GROVE DEF. LA FERIA: At Falfurrias, the Lionettes ended their season in the Class 3A bi-district round with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-19 defeat to Orange Grove.

“They were just more consistent than we were,” La Feria coach Rebea Fraga said. “They were real consistent. They maintained their poised and didn’t get rattled.”

The Lionettes, who was the third place team in District 32-3A, finished its season at 15-12.