If there was one team that could have benefited from a big win heading into the playoffs, it was McAllen Rowe.
And the Warriors got precisely that Monday, dropping the first set then winning three straight en route to a 22-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-23 victory over McAllen Memorial, the state’s No. 9 ranked team in Class 6A, according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association most recent poll. Rowe’s win also dropped Memorial from the co-District 30-6A title with McAllen High and left them in second place.
“This give us some momentum going into the playoffs,” Rowe head coach Magda Canales said. “It gives the girls a sense of unity and helps them with the fact that playing together makes things happen. It was good timing.”
Junior Anna Honrubia led the Warriors’ attack with 12 kills. She was followed by freshman Mia Mata’s eight kills.
“Anna has a very strong presence on the court,” Canales said. “She has experience and show leadership as a co-captain. She does a good job keeping the team together.
“Mia is very assertive and aggressive. She was a little timid at the beginning of the season but has grown tremendously. She is making better decisions and learning to adjust to the set that is given to the ball that comes her way. She’s another huge presence.”
Rowe went 1-5 against the other three teams from the district heading to the playoffs, McAllen Hi (0-2), McAllen Memorial (1-1) and PSJA High (0-2). The Warriors’ losses to PSJA High and Memorial all went five sets.
“We just need to all play together as one, that’s the part we have been working on,” Canales said. “They displayed a lot of enthusiasm and my job as coach is to set the example. Yes, we’ll make mistakes here and there, but it’s just a matter of shaking it off and focusing on the next play.”
Rowe will travel to Alice on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. playoff matchup against Laredo United, the top seed from District 29-6A.
We are going to continue to do what we do, attack the ball,” Canales said. “United is a very strong team with a lot of experience. We are going to continue to work together, try to not look back and move forward.”
MILESTONES
At least three RGV volleyball players reached milestones during this season.
First it was Edinburg Vela’s Glenys Maldonado. The senior hitter, an all-round player, recorded her 1,000th kill and later recorded her 1,000th dig, a rare feat with the specialization of positions now in the sport.
“The accomplishment that Glenys Maldonado has reached is due to her passion for playing the best of her ability to help her team win,” Vela head coach Araceli Ortega said. “Her great work ethic brings out the best in her game play.”
McAllen High senior Lexi Gonzalez set the school’s all-time record for kills during a contest at city-rival McAllen Memorial. Gonzalez registered 28 kills in that match as the Bulldogs avenged an earlier loss to the Mustangs in four sets.
Sydney Pemelton held the record with 1,517 kills. Gonzalez currently has 1,563.
“Lexi has worked so hard since she was a little girl to become an outstanding athlete and has earned this milestone,” McHi head coach Paula Dodge said. “Also, her loving and humble personality have enabled her to develop lifelong friendships with her teammates.”
Sharyland Pioneer’s Natalie Reyes also hit a milestone with her 1,000th assist during the season. In her second year on the varsity, Reyes has quickly risen to be among the top setters in South Texas.
“Natalie is a dynamic and exciting player and 1,000 assists is an awesome accomplishment,” Pioneer head coach Laura Cavazos said. “But what I think makes it even better is she accomplished this her sophomore season. She contributes to our team by not only running our offense, but setting the example in practice with her work ethic and dedication.”