ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Odalys Gonzalez and Alexandra Parchmont were impact players for their respective volleyball teams during the 2019 season.
That’s the reason they have earned top honors on The Brownsville Herald’s 2019 All-Metro Volleyball Team.
Gonzalez, a Hanna senior, is the All-Metro defensive player of the year, and Parchmont, a Brownsville Veterans Memorial senior, is the All-Metro libero of the year.
The All-Metro area includes Brownsville, Los Fresnos and Port Isabel.
Both players were instrumental in getting their teams to the playoffs — Hanna as the fourth-place qualifier from District 32-6A and Brownsville Veterans as the co-champion from District 32-5A.
Hanna coach Ansgar Hagemann said having Gonzalez, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker, on the varsity for three years has been a pleasure. He said she was an all-around player who came through offensively as well as defensively.
“Odalys is a force on the volleyball court,” Hagemann said. “She decided games through her 667 kills this season, and when needed, stepped it up as a setter and as a back-row hitter. It is safe to say she played every position there is except libero.
“Above all, she has a very positive attitude towards her teammates and coaches, which made it fun to have her on the squad,” he added.
Besides her 667 kills during the past season, Gonzalez finished with 128 blocks, 421 digs, 37 assists and 52 aces in 45 matches played.
Gonzalez saw one of her main roles on the team as fitting in with the teammates she had on the squad during her three seasons on the varsity.
“I’ve played with different people on the team, and it’s meant having to blend together with every one of them for the years that I’ve played because every team is different,” Gonzalez said. “You want to have the best team you can when putting a team together.”
Regarding her All-Metro honor, the Hanna standout said, “It feels great. I’ve gotten an award every season, and this year’s award just adds to my accomplishments. I’m glad to be recognized for what I’ve done.”
Gonzalez was the All-Metro newcomer of the year as a sophomore and was the overall All-Metro MVP as a junior.
Meanwhile, Parchmont has been quite a reliable libero for Brownsville Veterans and has contributed as a leader for the team.
“Alex was my coach on the court,” Lady Chargers coach Elizabeth Mares said. “She is very knowledgeable about the game, and she knew what was working and what didn’t work. She was my speaking captain, and when she spoke the girls listened.
“Alex never missed one practice, and she only missed one match during a tournament due to ACT testing,” Mares added. “She is the hardest worker who always was striving to improve in every aspect of the game. The girls would take notice of that and would follow her lead, especially in practices.
“She is that player who gives 110 percent. Her goal was to be one of the best liberos in the Valley, and I think she accomplished that by receiving not only all-district libero, but All-Metro libero, too.”
Parchmont finished her senior season with 851 digs, 724 service receptions,. 40 kills, 34 aces and 219 points scored.
The Lady Chargers went 30-10 on the season and shared the 32-5A title with Edcouch-Elsa with a 13-1 district record.
Parchmont said playing sports for the Lady Chargers has been an adventure she has treasured as part of her high school experience.
“I can say playing sports for the Lady Chargers for four years has been very beneficial and I’ve learned a lot,” Parchmont said. “My coach asked me at the beginning of the season what my goal was, and I said it was to be the libero of the year. Thankfully, I got it, and it’s just a good feeling.
“I’m thankful for everyone who has been there for me these four years,” she added. “The team and coaches have helped me a lot.”