The 2018 District 32-6A volleyball race could be described any number of ways.
Regarding 32-6A after one week of competition, Hanna coach Ansgar Hagemann said, “This district is just insane. The teams are so even, and the matches are so close.
“I guess it’s amazing for the people who can watch the matches and be entertained, but for the coaches, it’s a different story,” Hagemann added. “Being 2-0 is better than being 0-2. There is a long way to go in this district (race). Every team (in 32-6A) is (good enough to be) a district champion.
“We’re going to be humbly approaching every district match and working hard for the win. Hopefully, we’ll be blessed and have some more wins.”
Hanna opened district play last week with wins against Rivera in five games and Harlingen High in four games to start 2-0. The Lady Golden Eagles share the 32-6A lead with Los Fresnos, which defeated Harlingen South and Rivera with three-game sweeps.
At 1-1 are Harlingen High and San Benito, while Rivera and South are 0-2.
Tonight’s 32-6A matches at 6:30 find Hanna at San Benito, Los Fresnos at Harlingen High and Harlingen South at Rivera.
If Hanna and Los Fresnos emerge 3-0 after tonight’s district play, there will be a 32-6A showdown for sole possession of the lead at noon Saturday when Hanna visits Los Fresnos.
One of the standout performers for Hanna is Ariana Arceneaux, a senior outside hitter/middle blocker who is enjoying the Lady Eagles’ strong 2-0 start.
I think this (2-0) start brings us closer together because in preseason we struggled to really get that groove (cohesiveness) in (place), and I think we’ve finally gotten to the point where we’re peaking, and that’s a good thing coming into district,” Arceneaux said. “I know we have one of the toughest districts and Harlingen (High) is a really good team, so to be able to beat them was crazy (good). In this district, anything can happen, so I’m excited to see how it all plays out.”
32-5A UPDATE: Thanks to a pair of victories against Mercedes and Valley View last week, Edcouch-Elsa remains the District 32-5A leader at 5-0.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Donna High are close behind at 4-1 apiece, and Lopez holds down fourth place in the district at 3-2. The remainder of the standings find Porter and Mercedes tied at 2-3, with Pace and Valley View both 0-5.
Brownsville Veterans plays a pair of crucial matches this week. The Lady Chargers are at Lopez at 7 p.m. today and then play host to E-E at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday’s matches will complete the first round of district competition in 32-5A.
32-4A UPDATE: The Hidalgo Lady Pirates go into today’s final matches of the first round in District 32-4A as the leader at 6-0. The Lady Pirates are at home against Grulla tonight.
La Feria is in sole possession of second place in 32-4A at 5-1, with its only loss coming at Hidalgo in five games (25-19, 13-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-10) on Sept. 11.
Rounding out the 32-4A standings, it’s Zapata at 4-2, Grulla and Rio Hondo at 3-3, Port Isabel at 2-4, Raymondville at 1-5 and Progreso at 0-6.
Port Isabel plays at Progreso tonight and at Raymondville on Saturday.
STRONG START: Jubilee Brownsville boasts a 16-2 record on the season following Friday’s 25-15, 31-29, 25-14 non-district victory over Santa Rosa. Jubilee is trying to duplicate or surpass last year’s showing, when the Lady Titans went 29-2 and reached the state semifinal round of the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.