MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
As the McAllen schools battle for the District 30-6A title, Mission High finds itself on the outside looking in. And that’s OK for the Lady Eagles, who are in the running for their first playoff berth since 2012.
It wasn’t until Mission High broke away from the McAllen schools that it earned a postseason berth two years ago. Before that, from 2010-2011, the Lady Eagles came in fifth place each time, falling short of extending their season, partly because of the success of the McAllen schools.
Things have changed now for Mission High (14-15, 3-2), which is in a relatively favorable position with only one district game left before closing out the first round on Saturday.
“The goal has always been there that we’re going to make the playoffs,” Mission High coach Edna Clemons said. “God-willing, if we continue on the road that we’re going on, we’ll be in that fourth spot to make the playoffs.”
None of the players on this year’s Lady Eagles team was part of that 2012 squad. Mission High has six sophomores, four juniors and two seniors, and yet it’s shown poised this season in taking McHi to four games and giving McAllen Rowe a tough three sets.
This season, Clemons is drawing inspiration from that last playoff team, pushing her players to break through those barriers.
“Back in 2011, that was the last time we beat Nikki Rowe,” Clemons said. “So I put that out there for the girls to have a goal in mind and go out there and fight.”
To get to the playoffs, Clemons understands her team needs to take care of business against the La Joya schools, which are a combined 2-13 in district. Beating any of the McAllen schools would certainly give the Lady Eagles a lift.
“That would really guarantee our (playoff) spot,” Clemons said. “Going into a game, I tell the girls, leave it all out on the court. If you do that, you’ll give them a very good fight.”
SLIGHT SCARE
Mercedes coach Judy Gutierrez returned to work Tuesday after fainting during a District 32-5A match against PSJA High on Saturday.
Gutierrez, who has led the program the past seven years, said she felt “a little dizzy” on Tuesday while sitting on the bench as assistant coach Betty Morrell helped run the team. Gutierrez said she fainted and was “unconscious for about 5 minutes” during Game 2 of the Saturday match with PSJA High leading 14-6 and holding a one-game edge.
“It was hot and the air (conditioning) wasn’t working,” Gutierrez said. “When you’re coaching and you’re yelling, you don’t get enough oxygen. I’m guessing it was that.”
The match was postponed for Monday with PSJA High winning 25-17, 25-18, 11-25, 23-25, 15-8. Mercedes bounced back the following day to beat PSJA Southwest.
Gutierrez plans to attend Saturday’s district match against Brownsville Porter. She said she’ll remain on the bench, relaying instructions to Morrell.
RECOGNIZED
Two Valley programs are ranked this week in the Texas Girls Coaches Association state volleyball 6A poll. McAllen Rowe (30-4, 5-1), coming off wins against Mission High and La Joya High, is ranked No. 17. The Lady Warriors are ranked No. 4 by RGVSports.com.
McAllen Memorial (28-7, 4-1) was slated No. 24 in the state 6A poll on Tuesday, despite losing to McAllen High (28-5, 4-1) on Saturday. McHi moved up to No. 5 in the latest RGVSports.com ranking. Memorial dropped to No. 6.
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RGVSPORTS.COM TOP 10
1, Los Fresnos 26-9, 6-0 (1)
2, Mission Veterans 25-6, 5-0 (2)
3, Donna High 27-8, 6-0 (4)
4, McAllen Rowe 30-4, 5-1 (5)
5, McAllen High 28-5, 4-1 (6)
6, McAllen Memorial 28-7, 4-1 (3)
7, Edinburg North 25-10, 5-0 (7)
8, Brownsville Veterans 24-10, 5-1 (9)
9, Sharyland Pioneer 24-9, 5-1 (10)
10, Edcouch-Elsa 16-15, 6-0 (NR)
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VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS
Over Dist
Team W L W L
McAllen Rowe 30 4 5 1
McAllen Memorial 28 7 4 1
McAllen High 28 5 4 1
Mission High 14 15 3 2
La Joya High 10 20 1 4
Juarez-Lincoln — — 1 4
La Joya Palmview — — 0 5
DISTRICT 31-6A
Over Dist
Team W L W L
Edinburg North 25 10 5 0
Edinburg High 23 8 4 1
PSJA Memorial 12 18 3 3
PSJA North 13 10 2 3
Weslaco East 13 16 2 3
Weslaco High 11 16 2 3
Economedes 1 20 0 5
DISTRICT 32-6A
Over Dist
Team W L W L
Los Fresnos 26 9 6 0
Brownsville Veterans2410 5 1
Brownsville Hanna 25 12 5 1
Harlingen South 19 16 2 4
Brownsville Rivera 10 21 0 6
*Harlingen High — — — —
*Brownsville Lopez— — — —
*Not reported
DISTRICT 31-5A
Over Dist
Team W L W L
Mission Veterans 25 6 5 0
Sharyland Pioneer 24 9 5 1
Edinburg Vela 19 12 3 2
Roma 23 8 2 3
Sharyland High 17 20 2 3
*Rio Grande City — — — —
*Valley View — — — —
*Not reported
Over Dist
Team W L W L
Donna High 27 8 6 0
Edcouch-Elsa 16 15 6 0
PSJA Southwest 13 13 2 4
Brownsville Porter 7 11 2 4
Mercedes 16 14 2 4
Brownsville Pace 7 13 2 4
Donna North 5 21 0 6
*PSJA High — — — —
*Not reported
DISTRICT 32-4A
Over Dist
Team W L W L
Port Isabel — — 6 0
La Feria 20 11 5 1
Zapata — — 5 1
Grulla 13 14 3 3
Rio Hondo — — 2 4
Hidalgo 8 16 1 5
Progreso — — 1 5
Raymondville — — 1 5