Arabians finish 2nd in home tournament

Day one of pool play started rough for the Arabians with a straight set 22-25, 23-25 loss to the Highland Owls.
Stats
Aces: Sara Moreno 1, Gabby Rodriguez 3
Kills: Sierra Pompa 10, Dana Aaron 1, Alissa Stehle 2, Megan Runyan 6
Assists: Macey Hein 17, Stehle 2
Blocks: S. Pompa 2, Aaron 1, Stehle 1, Madison Pike 2
Digs: S. Pompa 6, Aaron 1, Julie Ortiz 2, Stehle 10, Moreno 9, Kaylee Howard 1, Rodriguez 10, Hein 2, Runyan 2
The loss didn’t break the Arabians’ spirits, because in their next game against Jourdanton, Devine bounced back with a 25-12, 25-17 win.
Stats
Aces: S. Pompa 3, Moreno 3, Rodriguez 2, Hein 3
Kills: S. Pompa 5, Stehle 1, Hein 2, Runyan 4
Assists: Hein 11
Digs: S. Pompa 8, Aaron 1, Ortiz 9, Moreno 5, Rodriguez 9, Hein 4, Runyan 1
In their final pool play game, the Arabians beat Run 25-8, 24-14.
Stats
Aces: S. Pompa 1, Ortiz 1, Stehle 2, Moreno 4, Howard 1, Rodriguez 2
Kills: S. Pompa 5, Stelhe 4, Hein 1, Runyan 2, Pike 1, Jasmine Pompa 1
Assists: Aaron 1, Stelhle 1, Hein 11
Digs: S. Pompa 6, Stehle 1, Ortiz 2, Moreno 3, Howard 1, Rodriguez 6, Hein 1, Clarissa Zamora 1
In the first day of play, Pool B finished Highlands, Devine, Jourdanton, and Runge, while Pool A finished Pleasanton, Bracketville, Fox Tech, and Natalia.
In the second day of play, Pool A finished Corpus Christi King, San Antonio Feast, D’Hanis, and Dilley. Pool B finished Somerset, Marion, and Crystal City.
Saturday was the last day of the tournament and was full of tough competition for all 16 teams. The Arabians morning opened against the ever-tough Somerset Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Bulldogs’ front row, including All tournament Taylor Dinkleman, was tough to get around, but the Arabians fought hard and won the game in 2 close matches, 25-20 and 25-22. This win was a great way to start the morning and it was the 200th win for Coach Leigh Anne McIver!
Stats
Aces: Alissa Stehle 2, Sara Moreno 1
Kills: Sierra Pompa 11, Dana Aaron 1, Stehle 3, Macey Hein 2, Megan Runyan 1
Assists: Hein 18
Digs: S. Pompa 8, Aaron 1, Julie Ortiz 3, Stehle 8, Sara Moreno 4, Gabby Rodriguez 11, Hein 2, Runyan 3, Madison Pike 1
A short rest and the Arabians were back on the court to play Corpus Christi King. King beat Brackettville in their first match 2-0. In the Arabians had a few mistakes of not getting to the ball quick enough but came together and had some very impressive back and forth volleys that even had the referees enjoying the game. Sierra Pompa was able to spike the ball multiple times and scoring when King couldn’t keep up with her strength. With the help of setter Macey Hein, S. Pompa had 12 kills against King. The Arabian defensive blockers had to work hard to keep up with King but in the end, Devine won 25-21 and 25-23.
“We had to make some adjustments during this game and when the girls make them, we were able to take control of the game and get the win,” said Coach McIver.
Stats
Aces: Stehle 2, Rodriguez 1, Hein 1
Kills: S. Pompa 12, Aaron 1, Stehle 2, Hein 2, Runyan 4
Assists: Aaron 2, Hein 17, Pike 1
Blocks: S. Pompa 1, Stehle 1
Digs: S. Pompa 18, Aaron 4, Ortiz 2, Stehle9, Moreno 8, Kaylee Howard 5, Rodriguez 8, Hein 6, Runyan 5
For the Arabians, the championship game was a repeat of their very first tournament game against Highlands. The first match was close but the Arabians could never pull ahead of the Owls and lost 25-16. The second match was tough for the Arabians, after getting so far behind, the team could not get back into the game and it ended 25-15.
“We just dug ourselves too big of a hole to come back from. Things just didn’t go our way. Even though we lost, I am still very proud of the girls. We have come a long way, in a short amount of time, with new girls and line-ups. They are having to figure out a lot on the fly and during competition.” Coach McIver.
Devine had 3 players make All Tournament. Sierra Pompa, Alissa Stehle, and Macey Hein. The MVP was Highlands Brenda Davila. Also making the All Tournament team was Highland’s Jagger Torres, Leandra Miranda, and Breanda Davila, SA Feast’s Elizabeth Au, King’s Vanessa Lugo, and Somerset’s Taylor Dinkleman. Jourdanton won the consolation bracket by beating D’Hanis 2-1.
Stats
Aces: S. Pompa 1, Hein 1
Kills: S. Pompa 8, Aaron 2, Ortiz 1, Hein 2, Runyan 1
Assists: S. Pompa 1, Hein 22
Digs: S. Pompa 10, Aaron 1, Stehle 10, Moreno 1, Rodriguez 15, Hein 3
By Dicy Chambers
Sports Writer