SAN ANGELO, TX — The No. 5-ranked Veribest volleyball team downed No. 7 Sterling City in five sets Tuesday night at Central High School to advance to the regional final.
It was a monumental task for both teams, this Battle of the Birds. Both Veribest and Sterling City know each other very well. Heck, only 56 miles separate the two schools. But one team had to win, and last night that was Veribest.
“We have worked so hard for this moment,” Veribest coach Crista Rojo said. “We knew that coming into this match that it was going to be a battle. We talked all week and knew it was probably going to go five sets, and they were probably going to do some phenomenal things, because they’re a phenomenal team, but our girls are phenomenal, too.”
The two programs played during the regular season, and the Lady Eagles got the better of the Lady Falcons each time. The second loss to Sterling City, on Sept. 15, was the last time Veribest not only lost a match, but dropped a set … until last night.
Sterling City took the first set Tuesday, 25-19, but Veribest took it personally and won the next two sets, 25-16 and 25-21.
The Lady Falcons nearly had the match in the fourth set, up by six points at 24-18, but Sterling City fought back to win the set, 28-26.
After that set slipped away, one would think Veribest would be reeling, but the Lady Falcons stayed the course and won the final set, 15-8, extending their season to the regional final.
It’s difficult to beat a team three times in a season, and Sterling City took it to the wire, but Rojo knew her team would be prepared for the big moment.
“You know, last year, we were kind of in the opposite situation. We beat Water Valley three times, and they beat us when it mattered the most," Rojo said. "That is something that has fueled us since Midlothian last year. How do we become more mentally tough? How do we work through hardship?”
When speaking about her team, Rojo gushed about how incredible this group of girls are and how well they work together as a team.
“I say it all the time, but this group of girls we have at Veribest, I know it's cliché, but they are the very best,” Rojo said. “They are great teammates, they’re great competitors, they know how to put differences aside and come out on the court and fight for each other. I think more than anything, I’m just so happy for them. Getting to be their coach is one of the greatest joys of my life because of what incredible young ladies they are. I think that was the hardest thing today was the thought of not getting to coach them after today. They’re a special group.”
On the volleyball team at Veribest, there are four seniors: Chloe Becker, Kenzie Gilly, Addilyn Feemster and Aidyn Palmer. Rojo started to get emotional when speaking about them.
“Oh gosh, I have the best group of seniors,” Rojo said. “Every single one of them brings something special to the court. Aidyn Palmer, who is just loud, sassy and makes life fun. Then you have Chloe (Becker) who is super competitive but quiet but also has a spirit about her that just leads our team with confidence. Kenzie Gilly brings so much excitement to the court. She’s just a competitor, too. Then Addi, too, she is just the best teammate. She has just done everything I’ve asked her to do this year, playing a completely different role than what she’s played in the past and understanding when the role has to change a little bit. She’s just willing to be a good teammate.”
Veribest will play Aspermont at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Midlothian High School in the regional final.
If they win that match, the Lady Falcons will play Saint Jo or Harrold in the state semifinals at 11 a.m. Saturday.
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