The Odessa High and Permian volleyball teams played another installment of their crosstown rivalry Tuesday at the OHS Fieldhouse.
Although it was a back-and-forth affair, Permian prevailed in a 26-24, 22-25, 25-17, 13-25, 15-10 victory against the Lady Bronchos to start District 2-6A play with a victory.
“It’s a great rivalry, a great atmosphere and it’s your first district game,” Permian head coach Gillian Herrera said. “All of those things, no matter how much you prepare, you really can’t prepare for that.”
Both teams kept things close throughout the first set.
Although the Lady Bronchos jumped out to a comfortable 5-0 lead, Permian was able to close the gap with a combination of strong offense and defense up front.
The Lady Panthers were able to tie things up a 6-6 behind two timely kills from Jade Workman.
Things stayed close between the rivals throughout the set, as an assisted block between Riley Nichols and Sarahi Orona set Permian up to win it, 26-24.
Odessa High stayed competitive throughout the second set, gaining momentum off some timely kills from Clarissa Rodriguez.
The Lady Bronchos went on a 5-0 scoring run while Permian led 22-20 to win the second set 25-22.
Permian (24-8 overall, 1-0 District 2-6A) and Odessa High continued to battle in the third set, finding themselves tied at 10-10 until the Lady Panthers went on an 8-0 scoring run to lead 18-10.
The visitors held on and won the third set 25-17 behind a kill from Anahi Orona.
Odessa High (6-8, 0-2) then came out and made a stronger impact to keep the match alive by building a comfortable advantage in the fourth set.
After the Lady Panthers started the set with a 3-0 lead, Odessa High outscored them 25-10 to take the contest to a decisive fifth set.
Throughout the match, both teams committed errors that kept the scores close and helped the pendulum swing in different directions.
Once Permian gained a lead, it never surrendered it to take the fifth set 15-10 and close out the victory.
“I think we had great energy,” Odessa High head coach Victoria Smith said. “Permian-OHS, we all show up.
“We just have those little things to tweak out, those little things to smooth over and then we’re going to be good.”
Workman and Nyxalee Munoz led the Lady Panthers with 11 kills each, while Rodriguez finished the night with 16 kills for the Lady Bronchos.
Both Odessa schools will continue district competition with matches on the road against Midland Legacy.
Permian will play the Lady Rebels at 5 p.m. Friday in Midland, while Odessa High has a bye Friday before facing Midland Legacy at 6 p.m. next Tuesday.
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Permian def. Odessa High
26-24, 22-25, 25-17, 13-25, 15-10
Tuesday at OHS Fieldhouse
Kills — Permian: Nyxalee Munoz 11, Jade Workman 11, Anahi Orona 10, Cianna Harris 10, Sarahi Orona 7, Emily Short 3, Denali Cardenas 1, Riley Nichols 1. Odessa High: Clarissa Rodriguez 16, Bryanna Ordaz 10, Paige Byford 7, Aubrey Villa 6, Marissa Rodriguez 2, Zoelley Herrera 1, Nadia Hernandez 1, Clarissa DeLeon 1, Victoria Rodriguez 1.
Blocks — Permian: Harris 2, Workman 1, Emily Short 1, Nichols 0.5, Sarahi Orona 0.5. Odessa High: Clarissa Rodriguez 2, Byford 1.5, Hernandez 1, Ordaz 1, Carime Gonzales 0.5.
Assists — Permian: Workman 26, Cardenas 23. Odessa High: DeLeon 21, Herrera 16, Ordaz 1, Byford 1, Clarissa Rodriguez 1.
Digs — Permian: Anahi Orona 11, Munoz 10, Harris 8, Anyssa Cruz 7, Workman 5, Sarahi Orona 3, Cardenas 1, Kelsie Fuentez 1. Odessa High: Isabela Ordaz 13, Bryanna Ordaz 9, Byford 7, DeLeon 5, Herrera 3, Gonzales 3, Villa 3, Victoria Rodriguez 3.
Aces — Permian: Cardenas 3, Munoz 1. Odessa High: DeLeon 4, Herrera 1.
Records
Permian 24-8, 1-0; Odessa High 6-8, 0-2.
Sub-Varsity
JV: Permian def. Odessa High, 30-29, 25-29.
