By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Beginning a few years ago, every time Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Los Fresnos have played in volleyball it’s been quite an important match with district title ramifications.
It will be no different when they meet again at 3 p.m. Saturday in Los Fresnos as the District 32-6A race nears its end..
The Lady Falcons and Lady Chargers have been district co-champions the past two seasons.
Los Fresnos (35-8, 12-0 district) is ranked No. 2 in the Rio Grande Valley. The Lady Falcons defeated the Lady Chargers 25-21, 25-17, 20-25, 25-15 when they played during the first round of district Sept. 29 in Brownsville. No. 6 Brownsville Veterans (28-11, 11-1) would likely create a scenario for another shared championship with a road victory Saturday.
Of course, the Lady Falcons are a little selfish. They want the 32-6A title all to themselves. They’re tired of sharing.
“Yes, finishing with a perfect (14-0 district) record is a big motivation for our girls,” Los Fresnos coach Becky Woods said. “We’ve been co-champs the last two years (so they want to be outright champions).
“We just want to get out there and play the best we can,” Woods added. “We know Brownsville Veterans will come in here ready to play. We’re preparing for that.”
The Lady Chargers have steadily improved throughout the season. They know a victory against Los Fresnos would certainly open some eyes around the Valley as to the progress they’ve made.
“I’m just excited and proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far,” Brownsville Veterans coach Lisa Mares said. “Saturday’s match can go either way. Whoever makes less errors and whoever is more aggressive offensively will be the winner at the end, even though we’re both winners already for making the playoffs.”
After Saturday’s 32-6A matches, the district schedule ends Tuesday as Los Fresnos visits Hanna and Brownsville Veterans is at home against Lopez.
TIME CHANGES: The starting times of at least two 32-6A matches Saturday have been moved back from noon to 3 p.m. because of ACT testing. Besides Brownsville Veterans at Los Fresnos, the Hanna at Rivera match also will start at 3 p.m. instead of noon.
It was the same way Oct. 3 when most of the 32-6A matches were moved back to accommodate SAT testing.
Other 32-6A matches Saturday that could also be moved back from their original noon starts include Lopez at Harlingen High and San Benito at Harlingen South.
A LOT OF HEART: The Porter Cowgirls gave it all they had Tuesday during a District 32-5A match at home against favored Donna High.
Porter (5-7 district) lost the first game before rallying to win the next two against the Bravettes (10-2). Donna High eventually prevailed in five games. The scores were 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, 25-15, 15-8.
“Yes, it was a very hard-fought match,” Cowgirls coach Laura Fortner said.
Porter next plays at 3 p.m. Saturday at PSJA High (10-2), and fellow 32-5A member Pace (6-6) will be at home at 3 p.m. Saturday against Edcouch-Elsa (11-1).
PLAYOFFS AGAIN: Port Isabel is returning to the playoffs as the probable third-place finisher in District 32-4A. The Lady Tarpons (9-3 district) won 25-22, 29-27, 25-20 on Tuesday at Hidalgo.
They next play at home at 2 p.m. Saturday against Progreso.
“It’s really a great, great feeling (to be back in the playoffs),” Lady Tarpons coach Julie Breedlove said. “This group is showing what they are capable of, and the sky is the limit for them. I have learned so much from them and just feel so blessed to be able to coach them.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.