Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
There is no possible better way to start District 29-4A than to go 3-0 in their first three games, and that is exactly what Head Coach Leigh Anne McIver and her Arabians have accomplished. They promptly waxed Uvalde and Carrizo Springs 3 sets to none before putting the screws to the Lady Eagles 3-1 in Pleasanton last Friday.
The Arabians improved to 21-13 for the season before playing a non district opponent in San Antonio FEAST last night.
No disrespect, but the wins against Uvalde and Carrizo Springs was an afterthought after how well the Arabians played in big school tournaments and against perennial powers in their predistrict schedule.
“It was a great way to start district!” McIver emphatically stated after walking the Lobos out the DSAC door in game one of league action. “In games like this the key is to keep our focus and I think the girls did a good job of this for the majority of the night. We started the third set out a little slow but the girls regrouped and took control of the set and never looked back.”
Carrizo Springs fought the good fight in parts of the second and third sets, but Devine willed their way to a three set victory. Devine pounced the Cats 25-12, 25-21, 26-24.
“It was great to get our second district win! I thought the girls really stepped up in the third set when they needed to. They put their mind to it and were not going to let Carrizo take that set. We had some great plays during the games and I look forward to that continuing.”
Devine exorcized a couple of demons from 2022 as Pleasanton defeated the Arabians three times last season, including twice in district.
The Lady Eagles will have their crack at Devine October 10 in the DSAC. This could be a pivotal matchup for either the top spot or runner up in District 29-4A depending on how things iron out against Floresville in the next couple of weeks.
“This was a big win for us, keeping us alive for the district championship and 3-0 in district. We started slow but once we picked our tempo up we were able to take control of the sets. In set two, we just had too many miscues for us to overcome but I feel we took care of those in set three and four.”
Devine dominated the first set 25-15 before stumbling momentarily through set two losing 22-25. The Arabians got their train rolling smoothly through set three as they won by nine 25-16 and took the win into the station in set four 25-19.
“There are still some things we need to sharpen for the rest of the games in district but we are definitely on the right track.”
Milestones
Devine players Rylee Esquibel, Kate Featherly, and Brooklyn Miller have all reached key milestones in their volleyball careers. Esquibel recorded her 1000th dig during the Columbus Tournament and Featherly notched her 1000th assist against Leakey.
Miller joined the 1000-something club with her 1000th kill against the Lady Cats.
Congrats to these outstanding senior players and best of luck the rest of your careers!
Stats vs Uvalde
Kills Rylee Esquibel 10, Skylar Blanton 7, Brooklyn Miller 6, Maddie DuBose 2, Airyanna Rodriguez 1, Aimee Carr 1, Brooke Thompson 1, Kate Featherly 1 Aces Miller 6, Kaylee Romano 5, Kelsey Dishman 4, Esquibel 3, Featherley 2 Blocks DuBose 3, Blanton2, Miller 2, Carr 2, Brooke Thompson 1 Digs Miller 10, Kynedie Cruz 7, Dishman 4, Romano 3, Esquibel 3, Featherly 3 Assists Cruz 15, Featherly 8, Romano 2, Dishman 2.
Stats vs Carrizo Springs
Kills Miller 18, Esquibel 12, Rodriguez 4, Blanton 2, DuBose 2, Cruz 1, Thompson 1 Aces Miller 4, Romano 1, Esquibel 1, Kishman 1, Cruz 1 Blocking DuBose 3, Blanton 2 Digs Cruz 9, Miller 9, Featherly 7, Esquibel 7, Dishman 7, Romano 1, Rodriguez 1 Assists Cruz 20, Featherly 15, Dishman 1, Romano 1.
Stats vs Pleasanton
Kills Miller 24, Esquibel 20, Thompson 4, DuBose 3, Featherly 2, Blanton 2, Carr 2, Rodriguez 2 Aces Esquibel 2, Romano 1, Dishman 1, Miller 1 Blocks Rodriguez 2, DuBose 1 Digs Dishman 20, Esquibel 11, Cruz 10, Miller 8, Featherly 8, Rodriguez 5, Romano 3, Carr 2, Thompson 1, Blanton 1, DuBose 1 Assists Featherly 31, Cruz 22, Dishman 4, Carr 1.
Up next
The Arabians had FEAST on their table in the DSAC last night. Devine plays at Somerset Friday, September 22 and at home against Pearsall Tuesday, September 26.