Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The Devine Arabian volleyball team definitely has had more than its fair share of grueling matches going into Friday night’s District 29-4A opener in the DSAC. Countless games against 5A and 6A schools as well as numerous other matches against perennial powers prepared Head Coach Leigh Anne McIver and her players for what lies ahead over the course of the 46 day stretch of district competition.
The Arabians went 1-1 last week with a gut-wrenching loss Tuesday at Southwest Legacy. Devine got over that tough loss rather quickly as they trounced the Lady Eagles in Leakey Friday.
vs Southwest Legacy
August 29, Devine made the short trip to Southwest Legacy to play the Titans. A five-set marathon match had teams swapping sets until the fifth and deciding set.
The Arabians took sets 1 (25-19) and 3 (25-19) and the Titans claimed sets 2 (25-20) and 4 (26-24). McIver hoped the flip-flopping continued but unfortunately that was not the case as Legacy took the set 18-16.
Devine was on the verge of closing out the game in four sets, but simply could not get the knockout punch to land. In the long run, games like this will benefit the Arabians quest for a District Championship.
vs Leakey
Whatever hangover may have lingered from the tough Legacy loss was not evident in Leakey Friday, The Arabians dominated and set the tone in set one winning 25-8.
The last two sets were just a formality as Devine won set two 25-17 and set three 25-15.
Devine was 18-12 prior to last night’s match versus Navarro.
Season stats
Kills per set Brooklyn Miller 4.1, Rylee Esquibel 3.9, Skylar Blanton 1.2 Hitting percentage Miller 0.238, Esquibel 0.172
Total blocks Maddie DuBose 35, Airyanna Rodriguez 21, Blanton 13 Digs per set Kelsey Dishman 5.1, Miller 3.1, Esquibel 2.6 Serving aces Miller 45, Esquibel 29, Kate Featherly 26 Aces per set Miller 0.5, Featherly 0.3, Dishman 0.3 Digs Dishman 428, Miller 260, Esquibel 220 Assists Kynedie Cruz 439, Featherly 369, Dishman 51 Kills Miller 345, Esquibel 330, Blanton 95 Receptions Dishman 647, Miller 452, Esquibel 302.
Up next
Devine played 24-win Navarro last night in the DSAC. District 29-4A dominates the rest of the season schedule with back-to-back home games September 8 versus Uvalde and September 12 against Carrizo Springs.