6A newcomers rally to reach fourth round

In a back-and-forth battle, Harlan emerged a 25-14, 23-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-9 winner over Warren in the third round of the Class 6A playoffs Friday at Northside ISD Sports Gym.

With the win, the Hawks earned a slot in the regional semifinals. Harlan (18-3) will meet the winner of Brandeis and Madison in the fourth round Monday or Tuesday at a site to be determined.

Brandeis and Madison play in the third round at 2 p.m. today at Boerne Champion.

Warren, in the third round for the first time in 15 years, finished 14-8.

Both Harlan and Warren are part of Northside’s District 29-6A. The Hawks beat the Warriors 3-1 in the two regular-season matches.

“Before the start of the fourth set I told them we have to fight,” Harlan coach Monica Gonzales said of her team, which moved up from Class 5A this year. “Too many people here have fought to have a season, trying to deal with COVID. I needed them to fight just as hard to continue our season.”

Harlan went up 10-7 in the deciding set. The ]Warriors closed to within two points before the Hawks took the next two points to lead 12-8. Warren won the next point, but Harlan took the next two to catapult the Hawks to the fourth round.

Harlan was in trouble in the fourth set, with Warren up 16-14 and nine points from closing out the match. But an eight-point run put the Hawks up 22-16.

The Warriors got within 23-20, but Harlan won the next two points to send the match to the fourth set.

“I think we did a really good of staying together,”

Harlan senior right-side hitter Mackenzie Vernon said. “Even though we came down at some points, we lifted each other up as teammates. We refused to lose.

“We did not let any ball hit the ground, and we were going to go get it whether it was in the bleachers or at the net. We were going to play to the whistle.”

Vernon, who has committed to Central Arkansas, led the team in kills with 21, and tied junior middle blocker Trinity Iverson with five blocks.

Senior setter Juliana Arguijo paced the Hawks with 38 assists and three aces, while senior outside hitter Kiana Fallaha and senior defensive specialist Leilani Moore each contributed 25 digs.

Senior middle blocker Anastasia Ramirez of Warren posted 11 kills and three blocks. Junior setter Vivianna Solis recorded 40 assists and 28 digs.

Harlan took an 11-6 lead in the opening set before Warren tied it at 11-11. A fivepoint Hawks run put Harlan up 16-11. Bolstered by strong play at the net, Harlan won nine of the last 11 points.

The Warriors were in control of the second set 13-9, but the Hawks rallied to tie it at 18-18 before Warren took control down the stretch to win it 25-23.

The third set was equally close. It was tied 23-23 before the Warriors won the final two points to take a 2-1 lead.

But Harlan rallied to win the final two sets and the match.

“Tonight, we came together as a family,” said Fallaha, who has committed to Lubbock Christian. “We brought our energy, and we knew it was an important game, and we wanted to make history for us.”

“We did not let any ball hit the ground, and we were going to go get it whether it was in the bleachers or at the net.”

Harlan senior right-side hitter Mackenzie Vernon