By ROY HESS | The Brownsville Herald
All too soon the volleyball season has come to an end for Lower Rio Grande Valley teams following the area round of the playoffs.
It was a volleyball season that included quite a few achievements, including District 32-6A teams winning all four bi-district matches and District 32-5A squads taking three of four bi-district contests.
In area-round matchups involving 32-6A teams last Thursday and Friday, it was Laredo United over Los Fresnos 25-20, 25-17, 25-14; McAllen Memorial over Rivera 25-6, 25-27, 25-11, 25-9; Laredo Alexander over Hanna 25-15, 25-11, 25-19; and McAllen High over Harlingen South 25-14, 25-16, 25-20.
In the Class 5A playoffs, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, the runner-up team from 32-5A, won a close bi-district match with Sharyland Pioneer last Tuesday before falling to Gregory-Portland 25-9, 25-18, 25-15 during an area match on Friday.
Also losing in the 5A area round from 32-5A were Donna High and Edcouch-Elsa. Lopez, which advanced to the playoffs for the third straight season from 32-5A, lost to the Valley’s top-ranked Mission Veterans in bi-district.
The Lady Patriots are the Valley’s only sub-6A team still alive in the postseason and go against Flour Bluff at 6:30 p.m. today at Falfurrias in the 5A regional quarterfinals. The winner goes to the 5A regional tournament later this week.
On the 6A level in the regional quarterfinals, it’s McAllen High vs. Laredo United and McAllen Memorial vs. Laredo Alexander with berths at the regional tournament later this week awaiting the winners of today’s matches.
It was a solid season for Los Fresnos, which in 2018 captured the 32-6A championship for the third time in four years.
Coach Becky Woods, who just completed her 34th season guiding the Lady Falcons, said it was quite a memorable group this year because she had 10 seniors on her roster.
The Lady Falcons went 36-9 overall and 9-1 in district.
“They were so close, all 10 of them,” Woods said. “Most of the 10, I had for three years. One of them (libero Isis Delgado), I had all four years. Isis maintained her No. 1 status as a student in her class of 800 some students for four years, and I commend her for balancing athletics and her academics.
“They are all amazing athletes and students who are very humble and very respectful,” Woods added. “They take the game seriously. We had a lot of fun over the years, and it was hard to end that last match (against Laredo United). I’ve never had a team so close that gave it their all and fought hard for every point and every game and every match.
“They are winners in the eyes of every one of the younger volleyball players who looked up to them the entire season along with the community and school district. I definitely will miss this team of just amazing young ladies. I love them all.”
The players, particularly the seniors, have a lot of appreciation for Woods and Norma Pena, her assistant.
“We definitely have (had) the experience playing with each other (a long time) and we definitely communicate,” Lady Falcons senior Emma Stambaugh said recently. “Most importantly, we know the coaches are there to help us a lot. I’m super proud of this team, and it feels good four years later (to continue to play with these girls) and make it to the end of the road.”
Added Sandra Salazar, another senior standout for the Lady Falcons, “The district title was definitely what we were going for. It was what we were working hard for the whole, entire season. I’m just glad we did secure it. This is probably one of the best teams I’ve been a part of. Everyone is very coachable and communicates. I’m proud of our team and I’m grateful for our coaches. They work hard, too.”