Improving Rattlers fall in district opener against Buda Johnson

SMHS VOLLEYBALL

In the first district game of the season, the Rattlers fell to Hays County rival Buda Johnson 3-0 [2513, 25-18, 25-13].

Despite the loss, Head Coach Ryann Torres is happy with the progress the team has made since the beginning of the season.

“We showed a lot of progress tonight,” Torres said. “We worked on a new defense that we learned in an hour, combining two days of practice. We adapted and adjusted very well to doing something new.

“It was working against Johnson’s outside hitters and middle blockers. We executed really well, but it’s just that other side of things where we just need to execute.”

The Rattlers fell behind the Jaguars 12-6 in the first set before Johnson went on to win the set 25-13.

San Marcos was able to rally in the second set. Trailing 16-11, the Rattlers took advantage of several Johnson errors to go on a 5-2 run, crawling their way back to make it an 18-16 game.

Following a Jaguars timeout, Johnson outscored San Marcos 7-2 to close out the second set, winning 25-18.

In the third set, the Rattlers fell behind the Jaguars 8-3 and were unable to climb out of the hole as Johnson won the third set 25-13.

The Rattlers will look for their first district win Friday as San Marcos hosts Schertz Clemens. The Buffaloes will also be looking for their first district win of the season after being swept by Cibolo Steele 3-0 [25-20, 28-26, 25-21].

For Torres, the Rattlers will need to continue finding different methods of execution while also learning to control the chaos of the game.

“[We need to look] for ways to execute,” Torres said. “We can play survivor volleyball, meaning not really any intention on our touch, just kind of keeping the ball up and playing hot potato. But we have to learn how to control the chaos.”

First-serve for San Marcos- Clemens is set for 7 p.m. Friday at the Snake Pit in San Marcos.