Fort Stockton was able to accomplish what 40 of Wink’s 47 opponents could not a season ago – take a set from the defending Class 2A state semifinalists.

The Prowlers began their volleyball season at home on Aug. 9 against the Wildcats, who entered the match ranked fourth in 2A according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association preseason poll that was released a week ago.

Fort Stockton had promising starts in the first three sets of the four-set contest, taking a 3-0 lead in set one, 5-3 lead in set two, and a 6-2 lead set three.

But Wink sophomore sensation Aizlyn Dewberry proved why she was the only freshman that was an all-state selection in any classification a season ago during her team’s four-set victory (20-25, 20-25, 25-19, 13-25) over the Prowlers.

“She can get up and plays like a 6A hitter. She’s really good,” Fort Stockton head coach Gabrielle said.

Fort Stockton slowed Dewberry and found their rhythm offensively in set three behind an extraordinary performance at the net.

“We had some great digs off her (Dewberry) and touches. I think we had more touches and blocks this game than we did all last season,” Harral said.

The Prowlers had their biggest lead of set three at 19-12 before the Wildcats rallied to a three-point deficit (22-19). Harral ensued with a timeout and the Prowlers scored the next three points to win the set.

Junior Sophia Hernandez, who led Fort Stockton with 13 kills, put down two critical kills in the final stages of set three to make a 2-1 match heading into set four.

The upperclassman is one of many that Harral feels can make an impact at the net – as the Prowlers’ stat line showed.

“We are very versatile at the net and have a lot of hitters,” she said.

Seven Prowlers recorded at least one kill and four finished with one block apiece (Mia Garica, Eliana Mata, Amaya Urias, Angie Aguirre).

Returning first-team all-district selection, Mata, did a bit of everything for the Prowlers. The senior tallied a team-best 20 assists, 11 digs, six kills, and two aces.

Newly minted libero Aryanna Gonzalez recorded team-best totals with 23 digs and four aces.

Alyssa Rangel was second on the team in assists (12) and Urias was second on the team in kills (8).

While Fort Stockton’s versatility and potential was evident during Tuesday’s match, the challenge that now lies ahead for Harral and her program is finding a superior lineup and rotation that will maximize their success.

“I still don’t have a set six. I don’t have a rotation yet,” Harral noted. “I told them they need to show me at practice every day.”