Marble Falls volleyball digs deep, almost completes comeback

CAPTION: Senior Mia Trejo’s (center) and junior Leslie Reynoso’s smiles show the joy of earning a big point. Photo by Ernesto Rivera

The Marble Falls High School volleyball team’s season ended in a 2-3 loss to Jarrell Nov. 1 in a play-in match to see decide which squad advanced to the playoffs.

The contest could have ended much earlier. The Lady Cougars took a 2-0 lead by winning sets one and two 25-17, 25-18.

“I definitely think they earned the points they got in those two sets,” Marble Falls head coach Christopher Pace said. “It wasn’t blowouts. They were able to capitalize in the holes on defense. They had a couple of defensive pushes by the setter, who put it in good spots. A good hitter is a good hitter. Our girls played extremely well.”

Facing the end of their season in just three sets, Pace relied on the program leaders to turn the Lady Mustangs’ fortunes: senior Mia Trejo and juniors Tessie Bowen, Kenadi Dalton and Kate McCary.

“They weren’t going to let that happen,” he said. “The girls went all out for the third, fourth and fifth sets.”

The Lady Mustangs won 25-21, 25-20 to force the final game.

The fifth set couldn’t have started any better. Trejo served an ace and then a ball was hit that was called out, giving Jarrell a sideout though Marble Falls believed it was in.

The Lady Cougars’ best server stepped to the line and got them rolling.

“They had a couple of blocks that were timely,” Pace said. “They made the right play at the right time. We tried to do things, and it didn’t work out for us. I couldn’t have been more proud of the way they played.”

Needing to address the defense, the Lady Mustangs moved McCary back to libero where she and defensive specialist Dalton anchored the back row. An injury opened another roster spot, allowing hitter Taylor D’Alise to move up from the junior varsity. She recorded six kills against Jarrell.

“She played all five sets at right side,” Pace said.

While the ending may have come too soon, the Lady Mustangs have plenty coming back.

Juniors Payton Dunk, Leslie Reynoso and Lily Stein along with Bowen, Dalton and McCary are expected to return. Dalton and McCary split duties at libero, and McCary finished the season with 406 digs.

Add in sophomores Madison Cuplin and Katie Terrell and freshman Brighton Bernard, and Pace believes he has the core of a great team in 2025.

“I think this year we thought we could and knew we could compete for a playoff spot,” he said. “They also know this is the tip of the iceberg. They can be and want to be better. In my personal opinion we had a great season. We put ourselves in meaningful games at the end of the season. I think we could be good next year and the year after.”