Lady Eagles battle to runner-up finish

The second set of the championship match of the Hennessey Volleyball Tournament was fitting for the host team.

It showed major improvement.

Chisholm downed the Lady Eagles 25-8, 25-22 to claim the tournament title Saturday at the Eagle Event Center.

“Our first set, we didn’t play well at all,” said coach Todd Cameron. “ But I’m proud of the way the girls came back and fought in the second set.

“We showed we are capable of playing with some of the top teams around.”

Chisholm (5-6) took its lumps earlier this season at the Verdigris Tournament, taking on primarily 4A teams.

However, the Lady Longhorns are still ranked 10th in Class 3A.

They backed that up with a dominant first set before Hennessey settled in.

“Our defense stepped up in the second set and we were able to dig several of their hits,” said Cameron.

That spurred Hennessey’s offense, which was led by Alondra Portillo and Kristen Frank, who had several kills each.

Hennessey got to the title match with a pair of wins, the first of which was a three setter against Yale.

The Lady Eagles took the first set 25-20 before Yale edged HHS 28-26 in the second.

In a sign of things to come in that first set, Portillo and Frank paced the offense.

Cameron also praised the play of setter Lucero Robles while Paige Mc-Neely “added some timely digs and kills.”

With the match on the line, Hennessey took a commanding 15-5 win in the third set.

Ivonne Fraire’s early serving pushed Hennessey to a lead while Gabriela Hernandez, Portillo, Frank and Robles provided the offensive punch.

That put Hennessey into the semifinals against Sharon-Mutual, a team that four days earlier defeated the Lady Eagles in straight sets.

Hennessey returned the favor with a 27-25, 25-22 victory to move into the finals.

“Overall, it was a great team win,” said Cameron.

The trio of Portillo, Frank and Robles was again big on offense while McNeely, Hernandez and Fraire offered some big service points.

Portillo also provided its season.

“I really like the progress we’re making this year,” he said. “I feel like the girls are starting to come together and play up to their capabilities.”

some key blocks and tips for points, Cameron said.

Hennessey was 2-3 overall after the tournament and offered a showing that Cameron hopes will boost