MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Judging by its opponent each game, Mission Veterans Memorial determines the number of points it would feel comfortable allowing.
Winning isn’t enough for the Lady Patriots, who posted a 42-1 record last season. They’re hoping to zip through their schedule for another district title. They set the tone early Tuesday, dispatching McAllen Memorial 25-14, 25-16, 25-18, in their non-district opener.
Mission Veterans coach Diana Lerma declined to reveal the goal her team set Tuesday, other than to say her players met expectations.
“We’re very goal-oriented,” Diana said. “The intensity, that’s what we’re working on. Not just that we’re going to win. It’s how quickly can we win?”
Despite a sluggish start, the Lady Patriots had little trouble against McAllen Memorial’s frontline, thanks to Gabrielle Lerma’s 11 kills, 10 assists and 10 digs. Darion Ibarra posted 10 kills, eight assists and 13 digs. And Adela Parras contributed six kills, three aces and 14 digs.
It was a tuneup of sorts for Mission Veterans, which leaves for Houston today for the Adidas Texas Volleyball Invitational.
“This gives us a boost to get on that bus (today) to face those teams,” Diana said about the competition at the 80-plus team tournament beginning Thursday.
There were plenty of bright spots for the Lady Patriots, who were fueled by the hitting of Gabrielle, Ibarra, Rodriguez and Daisy Reyna. With those four corners covered, Diana said she’d like to find two more hitters that could help solidify the middle. Alex Jimenez has shown promise as a potential fifth player there.
With only one senior on the team, Mission Veterans is trying to get as much experience before district, either by playing in tournaments or facing formidable 6A opponents like Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
McAllen Memorial is trying to round into shape, as well, in the month leading up to district. It graduated seven seniors from a team that finished second in district last year en route to the playoffs.
Lady Mustangs coach Lorena Lopez said Tuesday’s match was an “eye-opener for us to where we stand compared to the best team in the Valley.” She said the Lady Patriots’ error-free play made it difficult on her young squad, which committed 60 errors.
“Our offense requires perfect passes. And it’s difficult to get perfect passes when a team serves tough or hits us tough,” Lopez said. “So, for us, it was a good experience. That’s what we’re going to see in district. So we’re going to have to start working on it.”
As far as bright spots were concerned, Lopez said her frontline produced some solid blocks, when they were in position. The goal, she said, is to have them be in the right spots more consistently.
Draik Banks, a 6-foot middle blocker, collected six kills and three blocks. Taylor Marburger added 12 assists and eight digs. And Allie Nitsch chipped in with four kills and three blocks.