BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
When a need on defense prompted Edinburg North coach Adrian Cavazos to start shifting pieces around, senior Ayissa Maldonado became the primary setter in a 5-1 offense for the first time in her career.
Aside from a few hiccups, the transition has been a major success for Edinburg North, which is tied for first in District 31-6A at 8-1.
“She’s taken to it pretty well,” coach Adrian Cavazos said. “Sometimes she forgets when she’s in the front row that she can attack. Other than that, she’s made the adjustment quite well.”
Maldonado leads the team with 575 assists this year, more than four times the total of 126 she posted as a junior last season.
Cavazos said that although Maldonado is not a great leaper, she’s been able to contribute blocks and kills from the front row.
“She doesn’t say a whole lot, but she leads more by example than by speaking out,” Cavazos said. “So when she does speak out, it carries a little bit more weight than some of the other kids.”
Cavazos described Maldonado as a smart, confident player who is used to the stress of varsity athletics after three seasons of varsity softball.
With multiple offensive sets in Edinburg North’s arsenal, Maldonado has been given the flexibility to dictate what to run and who to pass to in any given situation.
“It’s gotten better,” Cavazos said. “Not that she ever struggled. It was just new to her. But as the season has progressed, she’s making better decisions. The majority of the time, it’s the right set.”
MOVING AROUND
After playing exclusively in the back row as a junior, Michelle Madden has taken on just about every role for Mission High this year.
She’s done a little hitting, she’s played in the middle, and has recently become the Eagles’ secondary setter behind Emily Alvarado.
“She came up to me at the beginning of the season and said, ‘Coach, I want to try to set,’” Mission coach Edna Clemons said. “She has come through. The girls are hitting well off of her. This is her first year as a setter, and she has really stepped up to the plate.”
Madden’s biggest challenge was getting to know her hitters, Clemons said, but that process has come with time.
Madden’s soft hands make her a strong setter, her leaping ability makes her an adequate hitter despite her 5-foot-4 frame, and her experience in the back makes her a threat to dig every ball.
“She makes something happen every time she’s on the court,” Clemons said.
At 4-4, Mission High sits fourth in District 30-6A. The Eagles will be hard pressed to catch any of the McAllen schools that make up the top three, but a repeat playoff appearance seems within reach.
“We are fighting for that fourth place and hoping to stay there,” Clemons said. “If not, maybe, hopefully, we’d like to give one of the McAllens, we’d like to give them a loss. That would be nice.”
PLAYOFF CHASE
As the season enters its final two weeks, teams near the top of the district standings have started to cement playoff spots. McAllen Memorial, McAllen Rowe, Edinburg North, PSJA Memorial, Edcouch-Elsa and PSJA High have already punched their tickets to the postseason.
RGVSports.com Top 10
1. Mission Veterans
2. Los Fresnos
3. McAllen Rowe
4. McAllen Memorial
5. McAllen High
6. Brownsville Veterans
7. Edinburg North
8. PSJA High
9. PSJA Memorial
10. Edcouch-Elsa