RecordSports
The Cuero Lady Gobblers’ playoff run came to an end on Nov. 4 at Goldie Gym, as they fell to the Canyon Lake Hawks in straight sets, 13-25, 17-25, and 24-26.
Both teams entered the area round riding high after dominant bi-district victories — Cuero defeating Devine and Canyon Lake topping Legacy Ranch. But from the opening serve, the Hawks, now 23-16 on the season, came out firing on all cylinders. Their aggressive offense and steady defense put the Lady Gobblers on their heels early, taking the first two sets with control.
As nerves settled, Cuero began to find their rhythm in the third set, trading points in a hardfought battle that showcased the Lady Gobblers teamwork. The team took control with strong serving and passing, playing a much cleaner, more confident game as they finally seemed to settle into the playoff environment. Despite a strong late push and several key rallies, the Lady Gobblers narrowly dropped the final set, 24-26, thus ending their season.
Jessa Cox shone brightly for the Lady Gobblers, leading the offensive charge with an impressive 14 kills. Her aggressive net play and powerful swings provided much-needed momentum for her team. Stella Maldonado played a crucial role in the offense as well, contributing 15 assists that helped set up her teammates for scoring opportunities. Her keen court awareness and ability to distribute the ball were pivotal in establishing Cuero’s rhythm, especially during key plays. Alongside her, Reagan Reitz made a significant impact from the service line, earning two aces that added some pressure to the Canyon Lake defense.
Defensively, Caroline Kubesch did well to keep Cuero in the match with 13 digs, showcasing her athleticism and commitment to the back-row defense. Her efforts were complemented by Reitz, who also contributed defensively with eight digs of her own.
Despite the spirited efforts from the Lady Gobblers, the Canyon Lake Hawks demon-
