Los Fresnos News

A Valiant Effort

Los Fresnos Meets Harlingen in 32-6A Finale

By Ruben Rodriguez
Los Fresnos News

The Los Fresnos Lady Falcons took on the Harlingen Lady Cardinals in the District 32-6A finale. The third meeting between Harlingen and Los Fresnos this year, The Lady Cardinals have won the first two meetings. The first meeting was won by the Lady Cardinals in a non-district tournament 2-1. Then, after losing their first district game, Harlingen sweeps unbeaten Los Fresnos at home. Since then, both teams have steamrolled through the second half of 32-6A play.


Now, with both teams heading into this game 8-1 in district, there was a lot more on the line than just a district win. Both teams had a shot to capture the 32-6A district title.


With Harlingen giving Los Fresnos their first district loss, it was no surprise that The Lady Falcons were looking to return the favor.


Set one started out with both offenses coming out guns blazing. An old saying, “for every action, there is a reaction” came to be proven as once a team took a lead, another team tied it up. Six lead changes in the first set was showing that both teams brought their best on offense.


Quickly the tide turned for Harlingen, as The Lady Cardinals mounted a 9-0 run to lead 22-14. With set one in reach for Harlingen, the Lady Falcons again showed that resiliency they’ve come to display all season long. Los Fresnos would go on a 6-0 run to make it 22-20. Harlingen’s offense would slam the door on Los Fresnos, capturing game one 25-22.


In a mirror performance of set one, set two was the same tempo as in set one. Both teams again battled for control of the game before Harlingen would slip away. Los Fresnos’ defense was led by Cory Reyes, Addyson Vega, Jenna Rios and Jessie Brisky, all who made several key saves and blocks at the net. The Lady Falcon offense was powered by Shiloh Jones, Olivia Parra and Dakota Martinez. Despite another strong performance, Harlingen would win set two 25-22. Jumping to a 2-0 lead.


Now down 2-0, Los Fresnos offense went to work in the third set. An Early lead was controlled and quickly shut down as Harlingen mounted a key comeback. Once again in control, the Lady Cardinals withstood the Lady Falcons offense. In a nail biting close, Harlingen would slip away, capturing set three 25-21 to win 3-0.


With the victory, Harlingen captured the District 32-6A Title for the second consecutive year.


Looking ahead to the playoff picture, three of the four teams that will represent District 32-6A in the 2022 UIL State Playoffs will be: (1) Harlingen, (2) Los Fresnos, (3) Brownsville Rivera. The four seed is still being determined between San Benito and Weslaco.


With the loss, Los Fresnos will finish 32-6A play with an 8-2 record, while their overall record will fall to 34-7. Finishing as the two seed, Los Fresnos will be slotted against the number three seed of District 31-6A in the Bi-District round.