It took five sets but the Odessa High Lady Bronchos were able to get their home opening win, defeating Monahans 3-2 Tuesday in nondistrict action at OHS Fieldhouse.
It was the second time both teams have faced each other in the last week as the Lady Loboes took the first meeting back on Saturday in the Monahans Tournament game.
The Lady Bronchos won by scores of 25-17, 15-25, 14-25, 25-16 and 15-12.
Odessa High improved to 7-2 for the season.
“It was a very interesting game,” Odessa High head coach Cody Dominguez said. “Coming back from our loss to them last week, I knew that it was going to be a tough game and we would have to bring it. I’m glad we battled and how we did.”
Monahans fell to 6-3.
“I knew that they were going to come back hungry after beating them in the Monahans tournament so we had to be ready for that,” Monahans head coach Tracie Porras said. “I don’t think we were as mentally prepared for the crowd but it’s a good preparation for district.”
Both teams kept it close in the first set.
Odessa High took a 16-14 set before a timeout was called.
It was soon 18-14 before an error on a serve by the Lady Bronchos.
However, Odessa High began to pull away and it wasn’t long before they took the first set 25-17.
Monahans began the second set on a promising note, taking an early 6-2 lead.
The Lady Loboes managed to get four-point leads early in the set but a kill soon made it 10-5.
Trailing 11-6, the Lady Bronchos went on a 3-0 run to cut the gap.
Monahans, however, continued to stay in control in the set and took a 16-9 lead soon after.
After a few Odessa High miscues, the Lady Loboes had an 18-9 lead.
Monahans went on a 4-3 run to get closer to a set victory.
An error by the Lady Bronchos ended the second set with Monahans taking a 25-15 win to even things up at 1-1.
The Lady Bronchos began the third set on a 5-2 run.
Monahans responded with a run of its own and took a 10-6 soon after.
A kill by the Lady Loboes soon made it 18-9.
Monahans remained in front and took the third set, 25-14.
The Lady Loboes used a 3-0 run to start the fourth set.
Odessa High battled back and took a 5-4 lead.
A block by the Lady Bronchos soon made it 6-4.
Odessa High went on an 8-2 run to extend its lead.
The Lady Bronchos would continue their run and take the set 25-16 and force a fifth set.
“I felt like we lost our energy and communications,” Porras said. “When we tried to get it back, that’s when we couldn’t catchup. We fell too far behind.”
“It was just a roller coaster,” Dominguez said. “We had to be able to play our game and make our own momentum and get that with us.”
Both teams went back and forth to start the fifth set and it was 3-3 in the early going.
Odessa High took an 8-5 lead soon after.
Neither team would give up much and Monahans soon made it a 12-10 deficit.
After the Lady Bronchos couldn’t keep the ball inbounds, the Lady Loboes were only behind 12-11 and a timeout was called.
The Lady Loboes tied it up soon after.
A block by the Lady Bronchos made it 14-12 and Odessa High got the next point to take the win.
For Dominguez, it was a good early season test for his team as he was glad they were able to experience a five-set matchup before district.
“It’s very crucial,” Dominguez said. “It shows that we’re able to do it when we need to. They’re able to show that they have the drive to do it.”
Porras felt the same way.
“It’s just growing up and growing pains,” Porras said. “I think this experience will help us in the long run. It’s not the best outcome though.”
Odessa High’s Clarissa Rodriguez led the team in kills with 13 while Yarissa Galindo had 10. Aubrey Villa had six kills.
“Everyone stepped up to the plate,” Dominguez said. “I had a few rotation changes and everyone was able to jump into it and go.”
