In a key District 4-5A match full of extended rallies, wild momentum swings and roaring comebacks, the Cooper volleyball team found itself on the short end of each just a little too often in a 33-31, 14-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-9 loss to Lubbock Coronado on Tuesday at Cougar Gym.
Entering the contest with an opportunity to pull into a third-place tie with the Lady Mustangs in the league standings, the Lady Cougars appeared to be well on their way to doing so up two games to one with a 19-17 lead in Game 4. But Coronado closed out that set with an 8-2 run to force a deciding fifth game and took control of that one quickly to hand Cooper a tough home loss.
The outcome leaves the Lady Coogs at 14-19 overall and 1-3 in district play, in a tie with Lubbock Monterey (15-18, 1-3) for the fourth and final playoff spot. Coronado’s come-from-behind win, meanwhile, keeps the Lady Mustangs (12-20, 3-1) tied with Wylie for second — one match behind league-leader Lubbock Cooper.