The Antonian College Prep volleyball team’s game-day routine doesn’t vary.

The Antonian College Prep volleyball team’s game-day routine doesn’t vary. After the final school bell rings at 3 p.m., signaling the end of a school day, the players gather in their locker room. Music is played and a visualization of the impending match begins.

The process again played out on Wednesday. But there was something different about this occasion. Longtime rival Incarnate Word was the opponent.

“We were extra excited, because this is such a big rivalry game,” Antonian senior outside hitter/middle blocker Sofia Scheuerman said. “Both of the crowds were great. I think the atmosphere was just really great, and the energy just put us in that spirit.”

Propelled by crucial surges late in each set, Antonian swept Incarnate Word 25-22, 25-21, 25-17 Wednesday in a TAPPS District 2-6A contest before a packed and boisterous crowd at Recko Gym.

It was the Apaches’ 15th straight win over Incarnate Word (21-14 overall, 2-2 in district) and 19th in the last 20 meetings.

Wednesday’s outcome was much closer than the scores might indicate. Antonian (31-8, 4-0) rode late rallies in the first and second sets and another flurry midway through the third frame to prevail.

Incarnate Word, sparked by the play of outside hitters Chloe Hawkins and Maya Wright, middle hitter Helen Guajardo and libero Jade-Lynn De La Torre, led 22-20 in the opening stanza. Antonian, though, scored the last five points to win.

In the second set, the Shamrocks pulled within 22-21 after back-to-back hitting errors by Antonian. The Apaches, however, scored the final three points, taking the set on senior Bella Rodriguez’s ace.

Incarnate Word was within 11-9 in the third set before Antonian used a 5-1 run to build a cushion it wouldn’t relinquish.

“I think it’s a privilege to be put in those situations, to be able to test your limits,” said Antonian senior outside hitter Mia Silva, a SMU commit who had three aces. “What can I do under the pressure of all these people watching, the game’s on the line, whatever it might be?”

Kalina Calvillo led Antonian with 16 kills, including six in the final set, a .378 hitting percentage and 3 1/2 blocks. Scheuerman had nine kills and 6 1/2 blocks, setter Gabby Reeves and 20 assists and 10 digs, libero Anna Arceneaux tallied 21 digs and setter Danielle Seabern contributed 14 assists and three aces.

“We were more focused as the night went on,” Scheuerman said. “I think we realized that we need to block out the crowd and just really focus on the game. Yes, it is a rivalry game, but at the end of the day it’s still just a district game.

“I just really want to make the most out of every moment. I knew when they needed me, I needed to step it up.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1