Cinco Ranch topped San Antonio Harlan in four sets on Friday, clinching the Cougars first ever appearance in the state finals in the process with a 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21 victory.

The Cougars were playing in their second ever state semifinal and first since 2009 and they put on quite a performance. Gabi Martinez ended the night with 16 kills and a block while Makenna Loo had 14 kills and two blocks and Kassie O’Brien 44 assists to help lead Cinco to the state final.

“We’ve been fighting all year for this,” said senior outside hitter Makenna Loo. “We got in a groove and we just wanted to put our foot on the gas and find a way to get to the final.”

After struggling in the first set, falling 20-25 the Cougars turned things on and won the next three sets to take the match.

Cinco took the second set 25-21 and the third set 25-22. The fourth set was very close with neither team leading by more than two until the very end, when Cinco stretched its lead to 25-21, clinching their spot in the state semifinals.

“We’ve struggled a little bit with first sets,” said Cinco Ranch head coach Danielle Wells. “I’m not sure what it is but it’s like we have to find our groove and then get into things. I’m hoping we can not do that tomorrow, but first set has always been a little harder for us but that’s something we’re trying to improve on.”

It was the second time that Cinco played Harlan this year. The Cougars lost in two sets to Harlan in August when the two met in tournament play, but the Cougars have grown into a stronger, more complete team since then.

“We’ve changed a lot of things since then and we’ve gotten a lot more consistent,” said Cinco ranch head coach. “Danielle Wells. Our passing, setting defense, everything has gotten better and we’ve really found our chemistry throughout the season. We’re playing really well and trusting each other and I think that’s a huge part of the game.”

Cinco will play another Houston area team in the state final on Saturday in Grand Oaks. The Grizzlies come off a hard fought five set victory over Prosper in its state semifinal, where they reverse swept Prosper. Cinco and Grand Oaks will play at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. Cinco Ranch played Grand Oaks in tournament play and lost in two sets 23-25, 24-26, and they can’t wait to have another shot.

“I think it’s going to be a great game,” Wells said. I think we can battle with them, I think we can keep them out of system and I think we can come back with some of our own shots. We got to watch them tonight and we saw some things we’re going to talk about and then go out there and try to execute.”