Volleyball team ends first round on winning streak

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  Junior defensive specialist Kenadi Dalton helps steady the back row with her digs and accurate passes and freshman Brighton Bernard (13) is unafraid to end a rally with a big hit. Contributed photos/Jennifer Fierro/TexasChalkTalk.com

  Junior defensive specialist Kenadi Dalton helps steady the back row with her digs and accurate passes and freshman Brighton Bernard (13) is unafraid to end a rally with a big hit. Contributed photos/Jennifer Fierro/TexasChalkTalk.com
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  Junior libero Kate McCa- ry's (2) defensive prowess frustrates opponents because she's unafraid of any call coming to her.

  Junior libero Kate McCa- ry's (2) defensive prowess frustrates opponents because she's unafraid of any call coming to her.

The Marble Falls High School volleyball team earned a crucial 3-1 victory against Jarrell Oct. 4.

That meant the Lady Mustangs (19-13, 3-3) ended the first round of District 24-4A play on a three-match winning streak.

“I think our mental toughness showed,” head coach Christopher Pace said. “That’s not an easy place to play. I think we did have a lot better mental edge. We were mental- ly prepared and focused. This has massive playoff ramifications. If we win, we’re in sole possession of fourth place."

Marble Falls won the first set 25-23 and the sec ond 29-27.

“The second set got heated,” Pace said. “I was very animated. Their coach was very animat- ed. They had a playoff atmosphere.”

He credited the Lady Cougars for playing in spired in the third set to win it 25-15.

“The Jarrell setter is really good. She has a quick attack and a dump,” the coach said. “(My players) knew she was going to try to score on them. We played pretty well at the net, and we took care of the ball in crucial mo ments. That adrenaline and being able to pull out that second set – we knew we had nothing to lose. They played a great third set.”

Marble Falls shook off the third set-loss quickly and displayed the mental edge to withstand the tension that comes with needing a victory by clinching the fourth set 25-22.

Pace commended juniors Leslie Reynoso, a hitter, Kate McCary, a libero, and Kenadi Dal- ton, a defensive special - ist, and freshman hitter Brighton Bernard for their performances.

“Leslie took some big swings in big moments and kept the ball in and got a couple of kills," he said. "Kate is flying around on defense. She has over 200 digs on the season.

She plays great defense.

Kenadi was great in the back row and Brighton is swinging well.”

He noted that sophomore hitter Katie Terrell “played great at the net” and junior setter Tessie Bowen "wasn't afraid to hit the floor. I think that was her best defensive match of the year."

The coach pointed out these types of victories

simply boost belief and helps the players maximize their practices.

“I think we’re a million times more confident," he said. “Our girls are getting into what we’re doing now. We found something that works before district. We're confident in our system. We're not afraid of the big hitters."

Pace noted it was a great night of Lady Mus - tang volleyball for the program. The freshmen and junior varsity also won.

“For me, it’s really impressive,” he said. “We needed every point. We’ll take anything you give us. And we’re not going to give you anything. All the pressure is on Jarrell. They have to come to us and beat us. Our job isn’t finished. Our goal is play - offs. We put ourselves in a great position. They’re ready to work hard.”

Marble Falls travels to Burnet Tuesday, Oct. 8, with the subvarsities playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity to follow.

Jennifer Fierro publishes reports about area youth athletic events on her website TexasChalk-Talk.com. To send her a note, email fierrojenni fer@yahoo.com