Both teams are now tied for third place at 8-5 in the district. However, Sharyland won a coin flip after the match to earn the third seed should they and PSJA Southwest finish the regular season with the same record. The Javelinas would be the fourth seed.
Sharyland won 25-19, 25-20 and 25-10 to improve to 21-19 overall. PSJA Southwest slipped to 20-16.
The Rattlers had dropped a five-set decision to Southwest on Oct. 1. That forced Sharyland head coach Raul Castillo to strategize for the rematch.
“It was to take advantage of their defense,” Castillo said. “We pretty much practiced what they run … anytime we were able to pass, we were able to do that.”
That included special instructions to his setter, Ana Paola Cerda, who recorded 27 assists in three sets Saturday.
“I told her, ‘Just keep an eye on her (opposing blockers),’” Castillo said. “‘If the blocker stays with you, set the ball. If the blocker leaves, give the ball to the middle.’ She did a pretty good job today with that.”
Cerda continuously set up Maddox (14 kills) and Espinosa (nine kills) with scoring opportunities.
“I really trust them,” said Cerda, a junior. “That’s why I set them a lot. I’m really happy that we won on Seniors Night because our seniors have worked really hard.”
Maddox was also part of the game plan. She was told to look for specific spots on the floor to hit with her kill attempts.
“Coach likes to set up blocks (in practice) so we have to hit around it and practicing that really helped us,” the senior Maddox said. “We just really came together and coach motivated us before the game and all week for this game. She (Cerda) does really well putting us up.”
Libero Ximena Chapa had four assists and three aces while middle blocker Marissa Jones blocked four shots for the Rattlers.
Sharyland grabbed an early lead in the first set and led 11-8 when the Rattlers produced a 7-2 run capped by Espinosa’s dink for an 18-10 lead. Southwest fought back but fell six points short.
In the second set, the Javelinas jumped ahead on the play of Kassy Bucio. Southwest led 12-9 at one point before the Rattlers fought back to take a 19-18 lead on a Maddox kill. Sharyland outscored Southwest the rest of the way 6-2 for a five-point win.
Karen Prado had several good blocks for the Javelinas.
The third set was all Sharyland as they erupted for a 15-point win. Maddox sealed it with a cross-court kill.
Despite the loss, PSJA Southwest is heading to the postseason for the first time in the program’s 10-year history.
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