Bulldog stop Spartans
EL CENTRO — Since opening Imperial Valley League action a few weeks ago, the Calexico High School volleyball team has struggled to close games in the third set after coming out strong in the first two games.
The Bulldogs worked to get over that hump on Tuesday night when they traveled to face Central Union High School at Spartan Arena here on Tuesday night. Calexico topped the Spartans in straight sets winning 25-13, 25-12 and 25-16.
“We’ve definitely been working on keeping our stamina up in that third set and not getting down,” said Head Coach Yvanna Lopez. “So more conditioning and teamwork overall.”
The match between the Bulldogs and the Spartans started close as both sides struggled from behind the service line.
The teams exchanged points until they found themselves tied 13-13.
Central was gaining momentum on the Bulldogs and appeared on the verge to break the lead until a player went down with an injury that swung the momentum back in Calexico’s favor.
After a brief timeout, Calexico went back to the service line and found the spark it needed in sophomore defensive specialist Amy Aguilar.
Aguilar lifted the Bulldogs to a 25-13 opening-game victory accounting for the 12 service points on her own.
Aguilar finished the game with seven aces and a game-high 30 service points.
“It was definitely good to see,” Lopez said of Aguilar’s performance. “That’s definitely something that we’ve been working on with her because she specifically comes in to pass and serve.”
With Aguilar’s help, the Bulldogs roared into the second game and quickly jumped to a 10-4 lead, forcing Central to call a timeout.
Calexico was led by junior middle blocker Iran Alvarez in the effort, who finished with a gamehigh 21 kills and two blocks.
Feeding the Bulldogs hitters in the second game and the win was sophomore setter Nataly Martinez, who tallied 22 assists, five digs and seven service points in the win.
“She takes initiative and she’ll let the girls know that the second hit is hers,” said Lopez of Martinez, who took over setter duties just this season. “She’s dives and she’ll do whatever it takes to get the ball and she’s a great vocal leader, also.”
The third game started much like the first with the Bulldogs jumping to a 9-2 lead over Central.
Calexico did not let up and once again benefited from Aguilar’s service efforts in the final game as the Bulldogs held off a short Spartan rally for the third-game win.
Both teams are nearing the midway point of the IVL season, with Calexico holding a 4-1 record and Central holding a 0-4 record.
“We’re still going to be working on team building and playing more advanced volleyball,” Lopez said of the Bulldogs’ second-half goals. “This will be the second time we see everybody, so we’ll need make some adjustments.”
Both teams return to action on Thursday with Calexico traveling to face Calipatria High School and Central also traveling to face cross-town rival Southwest High School.