RGVSports.com
The East were big winners Sunday in the 13th annual RGV Volleyball All-Star Showcase at Donna North.
The East’s 6A, 5A and sub-5A teams beat their West counterparts. Brownsville Veterans’ Mariza Cardenas and Brownsville Lopez’s Paloma Treviño led the 6A East group to a 23-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-13 victory.
“We started flat but I told them we want to end the season with a ‘W’. Let’s play because this might be the last time you ever touch a volleyball. Let’s have fun, and they did,” said Harlingen High coach Jennifer Martinez, who led the 6A East team. “It was just an honor to be on that sideline.”
Mercedes’ Summer Vento and Donna High’s Marina Martinez ignited the 5A East squad in a 25-12, 25-21, 25-18 win. Mercedes coach Judy Gutierrez, who led the 5A East unit, had seven middle blockers, prompting her to move some over to outside hitter. And she had a glut at setter, as well, leading her to slide some players into the libero slot.
“Of course, some girls had to play out of position, but they worked very well together,” Gutierrez said. “Our outside hitters and our middle blockers did an excellent job in the front. They put the ball down.”
Port Isabel’s Gabriyelle Torres paced the sub-5A East team in a 25-19, 20-25, 25-17, 19-25, 15-13 nailbiter.
“She’s a top-notch player,” said Monte Alto coach Kerry Villarreal, who led the sub-5A East group. “I enjoyed watching her play. Her defense in the back row — she was always there to cover. And she was amazing at the net. Overall, I think she was our team leader. She got those balls that were hard to get and she’s just an all-around player.”
“I think it was just a combination of all the girls, all the talent I had in the group,” she continued. “There was some outstanding players. It was great to be able to coach all that talent. As a coach, you kind of wish you had a whole group of those. It’s just an amazing feeling to be a part of that.”