By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
A number of important volleyball matches are on tap today in Cameron County as the regular season draws to a close.
One of them takes place in Brownsville in District 32-5A as Brownsville Veterans Memorial plays host to Edcouch-Elsa at 7 p.m.
Defending district champion E-E (13-0) leads 32-5A. Brownsville Veterans (12-1) is the second-place team. The Lady Chargers’ only district loss came Oct. 5 at E-E, 25-18, 22-25, 19-25, 25-21, 15-12.
There could be some more fireworks in today’s rematch since Brownsville Veterans can gain a share of the district championship with a victory. The Lady Chargers are motivated.
Last season, the Lady Chargers went to E-E and won in their final district match, so they know the Class 5A No. 12 state-ranked Lady Yellowjackets (34-7 overall) can be beaten.
The Lady Chargers have had to overcome injuries and the varsity inexperience of a large group of newcomers this year.
But here they are with a chance to share the district title, which would be their first since 2017.
“The bottom line is we have to minimize our mistakes defensively and offensively,” Brownsville Veterans coach Elizabeth Mares said. “A big key will be who will win the battle at the net, and who will stay focused and mentally strong in spite of this big match.”
The top four teams from 32-5A that appear headed to the playoffs are E-E, Brownsville Veterans, Donna High (8-5) and Mercedes (6-7). Rounding out the 32-5A standings are Brownsville Pace (5-8), Brownsville Lopez (4-9), Brownsville Porter (4-9) and Valley View (0-13).
32-6A UPDATE
District 32-6A’s final scheduled day of play is also today with matches at 6:30 p.m.
It will be 32-6A champion Los Fresnos (9-0) at San Benito (0-9), Brownsville Rivera (6-3) at Harlingen High (3-6) and Harlingen South (6-3) at Brownsville Hanna (3-6).
Los Fresnos, South and Rivera are all in the playoffs. Either Hanna or Harlingen High also will advance to the postseason.
If both the Lady Cardinals and Lady Golden Eagles are still tied in the standings after today’s matches, there will be a “play-in” match between the two teams later this week to see which of them reaches the postseason.
LA FERIA ROLLS
The La Feria Lionettes completed District 32-4A action at home Monday with a 25-18, 25-9, 25-15 victory against Rio Hondo.
“I think we played more consistently today, that’s for sure,” Lionettes coach Rebea Fraga said. “It was nice to win our last district match.”
Fraga has coached at La Feria 30-some years and estimates the Lionettes have only missed the playoffs two or three times during that time.
They’re going to the postseason again this season, too. Monday’s win gave them at least a tie for third place with Progreso with a 9-5 record. Hidalgo won 32-4A, and Zapata was second.
Stat leaders for La Feria on Monday included Alani Garza (five kills, six digs), Ayisha Castillo (four digs, three assists, one kill), Reanne Fraga (three kills, nine assists, 10 digs), Sabrina Castaneda (24 digs) and Sierra Salinas (nine kills, 20 digs).
EAST VALLEY TOP FIVE
1. Los Fresnos
2. Harlingen South
3. Brownsville Rivera
4. Brownsville Veterans Memorial
5. Brownsville Hanna