By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
There’s an old saying that absence makes the heart grow founder.
Based on the crowd’s reaction Tuesday night, the Del Rio Queens volleyball team was definitely missed.
A rowdy and supportive crowd cheered the Queens to a three-game sweep of the Crystal City Lady Javelinas to move to 11-6 on the season.
Del Rio was in control from the first game to the last. The Queens lead 12-5 in the first game before Crystal City called a timeout to try and regroup. The lead was built on the backs of the Lady Javelinas’ miscues and a strong serving game from seniors Kylie Ramirez and Karolina Alderete and junior Sherilyn Estrada.
Del Rio never took its foot off the pedal as Alderete’s strong serve helped the Queens build an 18-8 lead.
Crystal City rallied down the stretch, but the Queens never looked back and won game one, 25-14.
Alderete continued her strong play in the second game, showing off her all-around skills no matter where she was on the court. Her teammates fed off her energy.
Junior Jazira Cuenca delivered a big block that put Del Rio up 22-15.
Crystal City regrouped and rattled off five straight points to cut the lead to 22-20, but a kill by senior Iva Garabedian stopped the run.
Ramirez then made her presence known. Despite nursing an injury to one of her fingers that she sustained at practice Monday, Ramirez’s play didn’t appear to be affected. She smashed a kill to put Del Rio at game point, then rocketed a second kill off a Crystal City player to bring an end to the match with a Del Rio win, 25-20.
Del Rio was feeling good at that point. Libero Angela Mijares could be seen dancing in between games and there were plenty of smiles and laughs being shared, and that positive energy carried into the third game.
Junior Yuridia Muñiz staked the Queens to a 4-0 lead with a big kill, but Crystal City showed it was ready to roll over and hand Del Rio the win.
The Lady Javelinas rolled off five straight points to put Del Rio down, 5-4. The solid play that marked the first two games seemed to slowly begin fading and little errors sapped the Queens’ momentum.
But a picture perfect set from junior Syann Casillas was crushed by Alderete and put Del Rio back on top, 6-5. The duo connected again and that Alderete kill gave the Queens an 11-7 lead.
Despite Del Rio’s resurgence, Crystal City didn’t give up. The Lady Javelinas eventually reclaimed the lead, 14-13. Cuenca and Estrada’s defense helped keep the Queens close, but Del Rio was soon down by two, 18-16.
A Ramirez kill tied the game 18-18, but Crystal City again reclaimed the lead and put Del Rio down, 21-19.
The Queens were down 23-20 at one point, but then the comeback began.
Del Rio was able to battle back and tie the game at 23-23. Crystal City again took the lead, 24-23, but hit the ball into the net to allow Del Rio to tie it at 24-24.
The Queens then closed out the match with the final two points and celebrated its first home win of the season.
Del Rio is scheduled to travel to Pearsall on Friday, but will host Eagle Pass C.C. Winn Tuesday, Sept. 6. Freshmen and junior varsity will play at 5 p.m. and varsity is scheduled to play at 6 p.m.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
