KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
Just four matches remain in the regular season and the time is now for teams to make their push into the postseason. There are still a couple of big matches across District 32-6A with five teams battling for four playoff spots.
Rivera keeps rolling, Los Fresnos match looms: Make no mistake, Brownsville Rivera is the real deal. So far this season the Lady Raiders have dominated 32-6A with a 10-0 record. The senior-heavy group of Stephanie Garza, Mayra Martinez, Victoria Zuniga and Litzy Medina have led an all-out assault on offense.
Rivera made quick work of San Benito Tuesday night in straight sets. The next challenge will be Weslaco and Weslaco East before their showdown with Los Fresnos.
“This district is tough, there are a lot of really good teams,” said Rivera coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra. “I keep reminding the girls that any team in this district can beat you if you let your guard down.”
Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons are chopping at the bit with a 9-1 league record. The Lady Falcons’ only blemish came at the hands of Rivera. Their offense is paced by Giselle Ibarra, who leads the team with 356 kills. Los Fresnos will meet Hanna on Saturday. The Lady Eagles are currently sitting on the outside looking in with a 5-5 record.
Lady Hounds, Cards in control of their own destiny: Both the Lady Hounds and Cards are tied with a 6-4 record with San Benito owning the head-to-head tiebreaker. The two will meet in the regular season finale.
On Tuesday night, Harlingen beat Weslaco High in five sets. Yazmine Martinez led the team in kills with 10 and 10 digs followed by Kirsten Kattan, who notched seven kills and 12 digs. Alina Prado checked in 20 assists.
The crucial stretch of matches begins Saturday when Harlingen plays at Weslaco East followed by Hanna, Los Fresnos and San Benito.
“We have East on Saturday then we have our last three games and it’s going to be a challenge,” said Harlingen coach Joslynn Torres on Wednesday. “Even though we beat Hanna once, they are going to come out firing. They (Hanna) are playing for a playoff spot. Today we had a great practice and that’s big going forward.”
San Benito meanwhile will play Harlingen South on Saturday before finishing the regular season against Hanna, Weslaco and Harlingen.