By Roy Hess | The Brownsville Herald
The 2018 UIL volleyball season is already one month old, and during that time, teams have been given a chance to measure their abilities with non-district competition.
For most districts in the Rio Grande Valley, conference competition has yet to begin, but it is fast approaching in September.
With a 23-5 record and coming off a runner-up finish at last weekend’s Sharyland Tournament, the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons are one of the Valley teams feeling pretty good about themselves.
The Lady Falcons defeated Pace 25-10, 25-11, 25-15 on Tuesday in Brownsville.
Blessed with a senior group, the Lady Falcons are displaying a solid team chemistry, as most of the players are quite familiar with each other’s tendencies on the court.
When asked what has stood out to her about her team during the first month of the season, Los Fresnos coach Becky Woods said, “Just that the team bonding is really strong.
“Everyone knows her responsibility, and the girls work together consistently,” she added.
This Los Fresnos squad doesn’t have the height that its recent teams have enjoyed, but it doesn’t lack for strong hitters such as Emma Stambaugh, Kaitlyn Mata and Sandra Salazar.
The Lady Falcons finished second in District 32-6A last season to the Rivera Lady Raiders, who went through conference play with a 14-0 record.
“Yes, we’re very ready to make a run for the district title,” Woods said.
District 32-6A starts Sept. 18.
This year, 32-6A has gone from its eight teams of one year ago to six. The Weslaco schools are now playing in seven-team District 31-6A.
It appears the six teams remaining in 32-6A are all fairly solid, including defending champion Rivera, which graduated several key performers from last season.
The Lady Raiders boast a varsity newcomer who can hit with the best of them in Kenya Ibarra. She registered 22 kills and four blocks in Tuesday’s 25-14, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19 victory at home against Edinburg North.
Other 32-6A teams also looking solid are Hanna and San Benito. Harlingen High and Harlingen South appear to be darkhorses in the upcoming 32-6A race.
The four playoff qualifiers from 32-6A last season were Rivera, Los Fresnos, San Benito and Hanna. It could very well be those same four squads getting to the postseason again this year.
Although it’s still nearly three weeks away, the 32-6A opener on Sept. 18 between Rivera and Hanna at Hanna will be one to watch.
FOR THE RECORD
With 32-6A starting Sept. 18, District 32-5A will begin Sept. 8 and District 32-4A will kick off Sept. 4. Both 32-5A and 32-4A have eight teams. Brownsville Veterans Memorial is the two-time defending champion in 32-5A, and La Feria is the defending champion in 32-4A.
Brownsville Veterans is regrouping after graduating a number of its best players from last season. Still, the Lady Chargers figure to be in the playoff mix once again. The strongest teams in 32-5A at this point appear to be Donna High and Edcouch-Elsa, which is powered by Paloma Ybarra, who just went over 1,000 kills for her Yellowjackets career.
COACHING CHANGE
Daya Venegas has replaced Jacquelynn Touchet as coach for the Lopez Lady Lobos.
Previously, Venegas was the Lady Lobos’ assistant coach under Touchet, who is transitioning to freshman counselor at the school.
The women previously were teammates on the volleyball team at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.
Touchet, a high school standout at Rivera, is credited with raising the level of the Lady Lobos’ program and guiding Lopez to the playoffs, including last season.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess