Opening their week with a loss to Sabinal, the Lady Mustangs ended it with First Place in the Consolation bracket at the Arabian Round up in Devine. Now sitting at 10-3 for preseason, Natalia opened district with a game against Jourdanton. This Friday is Parent’s Night with a game against Somerset in Natalia. The Lady Mustangs have a long district road ahead of them but with the hard work the Lady Mustangs are putting into every part of the game, they have a great shot at a long play off run.
Sabinal was only their 2nd loss of the season and it was still a good game for the team. At 10-25, 17-25, and 19-25, Coach Tara Cortinas was able to identify exactly what the team needs to work on.
Kylee Spangler 9 kills. Jelli Padilla 7 kills, 2 aces, 6 digs. Katie Curiel 4 kills. Anaya Jones 5 aces, 6 digs. Tommie Gunn 2 aces. Tina Fulton 21 digs. Kody Blanquiz 12 digs.
Thursday in pool play, Natalia beat Crystal City and D’Hanis but fell to Pleasanton. Crystal City took the first match at 25-22 but Natalia fought back and took the 2nd and 3rd at 25-19 and 25-21.
Fulton 12 digs. Padilla 11 digs, 3 aces, 13 kills. Jones 1 block. Martinez 13 assists. Gunn 11 assists. Ruiz 2 aces. Spangler 8 kills. Curiel 6 kills.
Without a break, the Lady Mustangs stepped back out onto the court to face Pleasanton but the fresh Lady Eagles took them down at 25-14 and 25-23. Natalia nearly had the final set but Pleasanton took the win at the last moment. As of August 16th, the Texas Girls Coaches Association ranked Pleasanton #1 in 4A team.
Fulton 13 digs, 3 aces. Blanquiz 11 digs. Martinez 7 assists. Gunn 6 assists, 1 ace. Padilla 7 kills. Spangler 5 kills.
In their final match of the day, Natalia beat D’Hanis 26-24 and 25-21. It was a hard fought game for both teams but Natalia proved they were the stronger team. Natalia ended their pool play on a high note and were ready for more.
Fulton 9 digs, 2 aces. Padilla 9 digs, 4 kills. Gunn 6 digs, 5 assists, 4 aces. Spangler 1 block, 7 kills. Martinez 4 assists. Jones 2 assists, 1 ace, 4 kills.
On Saturday, in bracket play, the Lady Mustangs took down every opponent they faced and won the Consolation Bracket. Somerset was the first to fall at 25-8 and 25-22.
Fulton 14 digs, 1 assist, 2 aces. Padilla 3 digs, 6 kills. Martinez 3 digs, 4 assists. Gunn 6 assists, 3 aces. Ruiz 4 aces. Spangler 3 kills. Curiel 2 kills. Jones 2 kills. Woodson 2 kills.
Jourdanton never got off the bus for their game against Natalia. The Lady Mustangs won 25-11 and 25-15 against their district opponent.
Fulton 9 digs. Padilla 5 digs, 4 aces, 4 kills. Jones 5 digs, 3 aces, 2 kills. Martinez 12 assists. Gunn 6 assists. Ruiz 2 aces. Spangler 7 kills. Paredes 2 kills.
In the Consolation match against Marion, Natalia took the win at 25-21 and 25-14. Despite being the larger school, Marion was not able to keep up with the Lady Mustangs aggressive game play. Fulton 10 digs. Ruiz 5 digs. Padilla 5 digs, 4 kills. Gunn 9 assists. Martinez 7 assists. Woodson 3 aces. Jones 2 aces, 6 kills. Spangler 6 kills.
Kylee Spangler was named All Tournament and was a key player in all of Natalia’s games.
By Dicy Chambers
Sports Writer