LADY FALCONS STOP MISSION VETERANS TWO-YEAR WINNING STREAK

MISSION, Texas —In a stunning display of teamwork, aggressive hitting, and dominating play at the net, the Los Fresnos Lady Falcon volleyball team was able to do something that no other Valley volleyball team had been able to do for the past 24 months…get a victory against the Lady Patriots of Mission Veterans High School.

The Lady Falcons went on the road on Tuesday night and came home with a 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 26-24 four-set victory against what has been widely considered the top Rio Grande Valley volleyball program these past three seasons. After losing a sloppy first set due to some missed serves and uncharacteristic errors, the Lady Falcons were dominant for the rest of the night, getting great all-around play on defense, setting, and powerful hitting from all players.

The Los Fresnos program, led by Coach Becky Woods in her 30th season with the Lady Falcons, has been no slouch in the Rio Grande Valley, winning five of the last 6 district titles in 32-5A (now 32-6A). The Lady Falcons were coming off a great, exhausting performance in the Sharyland tournament, where they had played 9 matches over the weekend in route to a 2nd place finish among the 20 teams entered. But that fatigue did not show itself on Tuesday night, as the Lady Falcons were clearly the team more ready to play on the Lady Patriot’s home court.

The twin towers of Sam Ibarra and Joseline Caraveo dominated at the net all night. Ibarra led the team with 14 kills and 9 punishing blocks, while Caraveo was equally as good with 15 kills and 8 blocks. Peyton Sales quarterbacked the team all night, spreading the ball around the court with her sets, leading to three players with double-figures in kills. In addition to Ibarra and Caraveo, Jackie Kingsbury chipped in with 10 kills as well. Sales finished with 31 assists.

Mission Vets, known for their big hitters, was neutralized by the play at the net of the Lady Falcons, as well as the back row defense of Cristen Lumbreras and Alex Cano. It was a complete team effort for the Lady Falcons, and a great omen for upcoming district play for the Maroon and Gold. The Lady Falcons record improves to 18-9, and take to the court on September 9th in a tri-match with Hidalgo and PSJA North. District play opens on September 13th with a home game against Brownsville Lopez.