Friendswood's Lady Mustangs volleyball team swept Santa Fe 25-20, 25-14, 25-16 in a District 20-5A road match Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The defending Region III-5A-II champions faced a team identified in a preseason preview by The Daily News as one of Friendswood's top challengers in 20-5A. The Lady Mustangs answered with a three-set sweep, their play sharpening with each set.

The first set was the tightest. Friendswood built a 19-12 lead before Santa Fe junior Caroline Doerre ripped four kills during a 7-1 run that pulled the Lady Indians within one at 20-19. Isabella Barraza's kill ended the run and sparked a four-point Friendswood close to win the set 25-20.

Doerre, who eclipsed 1,000 career kills during the match, finished with 12 kills and two aces to lead Santa Fe.

Friendswood never trailed in the second or third sets. Tied 5-5 in the second, the Lady Mustangs broke it open with a 9-2 run fueled by kills from Ellie Leitko and Nathalie Medina. In the third, seven unanswered points from a 3-3 tie put the match away.

"It's good for us to play in this environment … and I think we settled down and kept getting stronger," head coach Sarah Paulk told The Daily News.

Barraza led the attack with 10 kills. Medina and Elaina Holtvluwer each added eight kills, with Holtvluwer contributing nine digs and two aces. Gabby Palermo ran the offense with 17 assists, and Ashley Adams added 14 assists and 10 digs.

For Santa Fe, Alexis Durant posted eight kills, 10 digs and four aces. Raylee Lawson dished 24 assists, and Kinley Peters anchored the back row with 23 digs.

Santa Fe coach Jennifer Webb said she was pleased with her team's effort, noting strong digs, blocks and swings, but said the Lady Indians had trouble putting all the pieces together.

The Lady Mustangs, three-time defending district champions who reached the state semifinals last season, head to Orlando for a tournament Thursday through Thursday, Sept. 3-5. Santa Fe hosts Ball High at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.