NIXON-SMILEY

Mustangs lose close in four sets against rivals

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The Nixon-Smiley Lady Mustangs (0-2) dropped a home match against their rival Stockdale Lady Brahmas (2-0) on Tuesday, losing in four sets (25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19). The District 27-3A game was a tight contest, with multiple lead changes, especially in Sets 2-4. But it was the Lady Mustangs’ tip coverage as well as holding back their aggressiveness that ultimate proved to be the factor.

“Our tip coverage held us back from getting a win tonight,” Nixon-Smiley head coach Tara Wyrwich said after the game.

After going down 25-13 in the first set, the Lady Mustangs fought back in the second set, winning 25-23. After losing the third set, Nixon-Smiley’s Autumn Rodriguez took over up front, coming away with eight kills in the fourth set.

“Overall, she played very well,” Wyrwich said of Rodriguez. “Overall, all our front row played well. There’s times that we needed to execute and be more aggressive, but when we were aggressive Stockdale couldn’t control that.”

Unfortunately, the Lady Mustangs could not keep that intensity, opting for tips or pushes instead of putting down attacks, as Wyrwich believes her team should do.

“I think if we stay aggressive the whole game, then we have it under control,” she said. “I think is when we start playing softer, we want to roll or tip, [Stockdale] have that covered, so I really think just being aggressive and keep hitting at them and putting it down, I think that would make us get a W.”

Also coming away with kills for the Lady Mustangs were Katy Tschoepe, Cheyenne Koehler and Abby Fox.

“When we’re aggressive, we’re unstoppable,” Wyrwich said. “It’s when we let up a little bit to play a little safer so we don’t mess up, that’s when we have our turnovers.”

Nixon-Smiley travels to take on Luling on Friday, with game time at 5 p.m. They host Karnes City on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with a 6 p.m. game.

District 27-3A Volleyball Standings
  W L %
Poth 2 0 1.000
Stockdale 2 0 1.000
Karnes City 2 1 0.667
Yoakum 1 2 0.333
Luling 0 2 0.000
Nixon-Smiley 0 2 0.000

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