In what is becoming common when two of the top five teams in District 31-5A meet up, the Sharyland Rattlers slithered their way to a five set, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, 17-25, 15-9 victory and burst McAllen Rowe’s undefeated district record.
The Rattlers dropped a five-set match to McAllen Memorial earlier in the week, and the sting was clearly lingering. In District 31-5A, four teams are ranked in the top 20 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association poll, Sharyland Pioneer, McAllen Rowe, Sharyland High, and McAllen High, so the competition is it grueling and plentiful.
“We knew it was going to be a big game. We were going up against the number one team in the Valley,” Rattlers’ head coach Raul Castillo said. “We told the girls that if they don’t come out and play like they can, (Rowe) is going to do what they do — defense and let you create your own mistakes.”
The Rattlers were led by freshman Kenisha Martinez. If high-definition video is 4K, Kenisha Martinez is ‘8K’ ultra-high-quality volleyball. The versatile Martinez was a menace from the back line in the first set. Her service brought the Rattlers from down 19-15 to 19 all, but her back row kill secured the first set.
“One of those kids, that are freshmen but play like juniors, carry themselves like juniors, work like juniors, and take control,” Castillo said.
The Rattlers’ freshman star power is not limited to Martinez. Kassandra De la Garza is another freshman that contributes to the Rattlers success. While De la Garza was also potent from the outside, her setting is what impresses Castillo.
“I have her setting…she’s the quarterback of the team and if the play isn’t there she has to be make something happen,” Castillo said.
Rowe would not relent. The Warriors came back in the second with a definitive win behind another versatile player, Mia Mata. Mata’s massive kills and aggressive serves squandered the Rattlers hopes of winning the second set. Mata’s match point poke found an empty spot and brought the Warriors even at on set apiece.
After dropping the third, the Warriors rode the service of Ariana Castro and got contributions from Jillian Pantillano at the net in the fourth. Mata would again offer the match point dagger in the form of a booming kill that ricocheted off the opponent.
“She’s a very aggressive, a very assertive young lady,” Rowe head coach Magda Canales said.
The final set would be another set filled with back row bombs and front row kills for the Rattlers freshman duo. Martinez’s booming shot set brought the Rattlers to match point, and De la Garza’s kill would seal the match. They would account for the final five points.
“We knew coming into this game that it was going to be a tough one,” Canales said. “We knew their offense was going to be hard to stop them… we made adjustments, but they came out on top.”
The match was highly contested and further proves the level of competition in the district. The Warriors will prepare for their next test against Sharyland Pioneer.
Mata understands the level competition and is reflective of what still lies ahead.
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