Martin and Nixon open tournaments
Clara Sandoval, Laredo Morning Times
Irma Cortez, Alexa Flores and Martin took third place in pool play Thursday as the Lady Tigers advanced to the silver bracket at the Sinton tournament.
Two local teams got a jump start on the second consecutive weekend of tournament play across South Texas. Martin and Nixon hit the road while the rest of the teams start tournament play on Friday.
Martin (7-3) opened the Sinton tournament pool play with a victory over Robstown 2-0 (25-17, 25-16). Melanie Duron, Polett Hernandez, Irma Cortez and Alexa Flores combined for 15 kills, 15 digs, 12 points and 15 assists. Ivy Liendo added eight points and four aces.
The Lady Tigers could not duplicate the early success they had on the court as they fell to Odem 2-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-23) in a hard-fought battle that went down to the wire every set. Once again the usual suspects of Cortez, Duron and Hernandez filled out the stats sheet as they combined for 20 kills. Cortez added eight digs, eight assists and two aces while Liendo finished with seven aces and 15 points.
In the final game of pool play, Martin lost to a familiar foe in Edcouch-Elsa. They met last weekend in the semifinals of the Donna tournament where the Lady Tigers fell 2-0 (25-16, 25-16). Martin fell 2-0 (25-22, 25-15) at the Sinton tournament to finish pool play 1-2. Duron had 10 kills and Cortez picked up 12 digs and nine assists.
The Lady Tigers finished third in pool play and advance to the silver bracket where they play Freer at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Nixon (5-5) dropped all three games in pool play at the Bastrop tournament. Day 2 of pool play features matches against Wimberley at noon, Pflugerville at 3:45 p.m. and Glenn at 5 p.m.
The Lady Mustangs opened up with San Antonio Connally and were swept 2-0 (25-22, 25-14). The second game they fell to Bellville 2-0 (25-7, 25-11) before finishing with a loss to Poth 2-0 (25-15, 27-25).
Alexander (5-6) heads to the Northeast ISD tournament it opens up with Brennan at 10:15 a.m. Friday. The Lady Bulldogs play San Antonio Clemens at 11 a.m. before finishing the day with San Antonio McArthur at 2 p.m.
United (9-0) puts its perfect record in the line as the Lady Longhorns join Alexander at the NEISD tournament. They open up with Canyon Lake at 10:15 a.m., Converse Judson 12:45 p.m. and San Antonio Churchill at 3:15 p.m.
LBJ (6-1) gets back on the court after being idle on Tuesday as the Lady Wolves head to the Mission tournament along with United South and Cigarroa.
United South (5-3) is gearing up to get back to its winning ways. The Lady Panthers opened up on a five-game winning streak and are on a three-game losing skids. They open pool play with Brownsville Porter at 2:30 p.m., Rio Grande City at 4:30 p.m. and Edinburg Vela at 6:30 p.m.
Cigarroa (4-7) has shown bright spots under rookie coach Esmeralda Peinado and will have another opportunity this weekend at the Mission Tournament.
St. Augustine (8-0) joins United as the last two unbeaten teams remaining in Laredo. The Lady Knights played on Wednesday and took down Crystal City 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-16) behind the play of Mia Flores (25 assists), Taylor Meurer (six kills, four blocks) and Karla Benavides (five kills and three blocks).
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Twitter: @claralmtsports
Clara Sandoval