The Odessa High volleyball team was able to keep things close in its District 2-6A match against Midland High Tuesday at the OHS Fieldhouse, but ultimately the Lady Bulldogs pulled away to sweep the Lady Bronchos.
Midland High defeated Odessa High 26-24, 25-16, 25-17.
After seeing how her team could cut through deficits to jump ahead, Odessa High head coach Victoria Smith said she had no doubt in her team’s abilities to be competitive in a tough district.
“I tell them every day how good they are,” Smith said. “Our issue is just finishing, so we have those runs which is great, and we just have to finish it off.
“We’re right there, we just have to finish.”
After going down 7-1 early in the first set, the Lady Bronchos (6-18 overall, 0-10 district) found a way to cut the Midland High advantage and jump in front.
When Midland High led 11-10, a 4-0 scoring run for the Lady Bronchos would put them ahead to give them their first lead of the set.
Midland High then took advantage of attacking errors to tie it up at 21-21, then outscored Odessa High 5-3 to clinch the first set victory.
The Lady Bronchos seemed to have more momentum to start the second set, as they jumped out to a 9-4 lead to slow Midland High down.
After tying the set up a 15-15, the Lady Bulldogs outscored the home team 10-1 to seal another set win and get closer to the sweep.
Although the Odessa High attack would pick up some steam after going on a 4-0 scoring run to cut a Midland High (19-15, 7-4) lead to 19-12 in the third set, it wouldn’t be enough as the visitors would power through to get their second straight win.
Midland High head coach Bethany Johnstone said her team has become more cohesive as the season has gone along, helping it get through difficult moments on the court.
“They’ve been able to overcome the tough instances better like that first set,” Johnstone said. “I don’t think at the beginning we would have been able to pull it out.
“They just need to make sure to stay mentally focused, that’s our big deal right now.”
Smith said there’s still work for her team to do as it heads into its final two matches of the regular season.
Odessa High will face Abilene High on the road at 5 p.m. Friday in Abilene.
“We still have two more games to play and it’s not over,” Smith said. “I’m not giving up, they’re not giving up.”
>>Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
Midland High def. Odessa High
26-24, 25-16, 25-17
Tuesday at OHS Fieldhouse
Kills — Midland High: Aniya Clinton 14, Kaylee Day 6, Jaime Swisher 5, Grace Utter 5, Madison Zamora 5, Brooke Boehler 4, Grace Ware 4, Billie Ann Britain 1 . Odessa High: Clarissa Rodriguez 10, Aubrey Villa 8, Paige Byford 3, Marissa Rodriguez 2, Bryanna Ordaz 1.
Blocks — Midland High: Utter 3, Day 2, Boehler 2, Britain 1, Ware 0.5, Emily Moon 0.5. Odessa High: Villa 1.5, Byford 1, Clarissa Rodriguez 1, Marissa Rodriguez 0.5.
Assists — Midland High: Imani Parker 19, Susana Salcedo 14, Madison Wade 2, Clinton 1. Odessa High: Clarissa DeLeon 14, Zoelley Herrera 7, Isabela Ordaz 1, Bryanna Ordaz 1.
Digs — Midland High: Samantha Bustos 17, Clinton 13, Zamora 6, Parker 3, Boehler 2, Day 1. Odessa High: Isabela Ordaz 17, DeLeon 9, Bryanna Ordaz 7, Clarissa Rodriguez 4, Herrera 2, Kylee Davis 2, Carime Gonzales 2, Villa 2, Victoria Rodriguez 2, Byford 1.
Aces — Midland High: Bustos 2, Salcedo 1. Odessa High: Herrera 1, Byford 1, DeLeon 1.
Records
Midland High 19-15 overall, 7-4 District 2-6A; Odessa High 6-18, 0-10.
