SMHS VOLLEYBALL
San Marcos recorded their first win at the Snake Pit this season with a win over the Austin Eastside Panthers 3-0 (25-1, 2518, 25-12).
The Rattlers and Head Coach Ryann Torres improved their overall record to 5-3.
“It does feel really good,” Torres said. “This gives us some confidence finishing out our (nondistrict) schedule. With it being our first home win of the season, it feels good.”
The Rattlers got off to a hot start against the Panthers, going up 15-0 on Eastside in the first set.
San Marcos was helped by junior Harper McGee who finished the first set with six serving aces.
“It says a lot how Harper came in and had an aggressive mindset from the get-go,” Torres said. “ She is really good and consistent at that. I’m just very happy that she got to show it for the San Marcos community.”
Eastside snapped the Rattlers 15-0 run only for San Marcos to go on a 100 run to win the first set 25-1.
The Panthers answered back in the second set, going back and forth with the Rattlers before being tied at 3-3.
San Marcos answered back with a 4-0 run to retake the lead 7-3.
The Panthers battled back and soon cut the Rattlers’ lead down to one point at 14-13.
Despite Eastside’s comeback attempt, Torres reminded her team to keep it simple.
“I always tell them just to go back to the basics,” Torres said. “Not to do anything that we don’t know how to do, to play our game and to play fast. I was mentioning that throughout the game and so instilling that, reminding them of that throughout the timeouts. That’s what kept them on our toes and just started playing our game more consistently.”
The Rattlers followed up with a 4-0 to extend their lead 18-13 before taking the second set 25-18.
With San Marcos on the brink of completing the sweep, the Rattlers were focused on finishing the match on a high note.
“It was just a lot of focus on terminating, moving fast and staying loud,” Torres said. “Our weak spot right now is staying loud consistently throughout the game and not just in spurts. That was our biggest focus just to be as loud as possible, finishing out the game.”
San Marcos followed through in the third set, defeating Eastside 25-12 to complete the sweep, giving their Rattlers second straight win.
The Rattlers will be back on the road Tuesday to take on the rival Hays Hawks in the Battle for Hays County. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.
