The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons just don’t know how to lose. The team, after dispatching Progreso on Friday, now remains undefeated at 6-0 in 32-3A play. (Staff photo by Ray Quiroga)
By LARRY GAGE
Special to the PRESS
The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons Varsity Volleyball Team continued to take care of business Friday afternoon by winning their third straight district match over the Lady Red Ants of Progreso. They did it in straight sets by scores of 25-9, 25-18, and 25-10. It was Port Isabel’s third consecutive straight sets win and the Ladies remain undefeated and in first place in District 32-3A at 6-0.
Port Isabel made it look easy in the first set by scoring the first seven points and 11 of the first 14. The visitors pulled within five, 11-6, but P.I. closed it out by winning the last eight points.
The second set was much more competitive. The Lady Red Ants scored four of the first five points and led 10-5 before the home team won six straight points for an 11-10 lead. Port Isabel took the lead for good at 13-12 and won the last four points to take the set, 25-18.
“We just lost our focus and, once they got the momentum, they (Progreso) played real well,” head volleyball coach George Hamilton said. “It was a matter of us getting refocused…get our serves in. We had quite a few missed serves that second set.”
The Lady Tarpons remained focused in the third and deciding set. They trailed early, 2-1, then ran up 13 straight winners for a 14-2 lead. Service aces by Kelcie Swink, Kate Bowles, and Sophie Meisel helped move things along. P.I. scored five of the final seven points to close out the set and match, 25-10.
“I think they (Port Isabel) were upset with themselves that second set,” Hamilton said afterwards. “They were saying let’s just play our game. They realized they didn’t play to their potential in the second set.”
Kate Bowles and Helena Loya led P.I. with 15 kills each. Bowles threw in two digs and nine aces and Loya had four of each. Daniela Salinas led with 28 assists and served up two aces. Sophie Meisel had four service aces, two digs, and a kill. Ashley Zarate contributed three assists.
The Lady Tarpons are now assured of a playoff spot with two matches left on the schedule.
They have an open date this Tuesday, Oct. 16. On Friday, Oct. 19 they’ll be on the road against La Feria and will close out the regular season with a Parent’s Night home match with Hidalgo on Tuesday, October 23.
“We’re in the playoffs,” Hamilton said. “Now we just need to close out the season with wins in our last two matches…take care of business.”
Read this story in the October 15 edition of the Port Isabel-South Padre Press, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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