While many eyes are on the huge battle in District 31-5A with the “Power 5” teams after a weekend where the top two teams — Sharyland Pioneer and McAllen Memorial — both fell to district opponents Saturday, Mission Veterans continues to climb the Class 5A poll released Monday by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
The Patriots (28-7 overall, 7-0 in district) were ranked No. 12 in the latest Class 5A poll and are looking to claim their 10th straight undefeated district title. Also, Mission Veterans head coach Diana Lerma is coming up on her 700th career victory and could clinch that as the regular season ends.
Mission Veterans plays at second-place Laredo Martin today. A win would clinch the district title and the top spot for the district heading into the postseason. Martin is 6-1 in the district, its only loss coming to the Patriots during the first time through district play.
While District 31-5A has had five teams ranked throughout the year, the only one that remains is Sharyland Pioneer (32-4, 9-2), tied for No. 25, as the top five teams have pounded on one another all season. Pioneer has lost only 10 sets in district play but six have come during a pair of sweeps by third-place McAllen Rowe (28-7, 8-3). Three have come at the hands of fourth-place McAllen High (34-6, 7-4) and one to co-first place McAllen Memorial (27-13, 9-2).
San Isidro (29-4) was ranked again No. 9 in the Class 1A/2A poll, Lyford (22-5) came in at No. 16 in the Class 3A poll and Harlingen High (31-6) hung on, tied for No. 25 with San Antonio Clark, in the Class 6A poll.
E-E’S YBARRA KILLING IT
Edcouch-Elsa’s Vida Ybarra hammered out 26 kills to lead the Yellow Jackets to a huge win over Brownsville Pace on Saturday in four sets.
The win improved E-E to 8-3 in District 32-5A, one game behind Pace for second place in the district. It also guaranteed the Jackets a spot in the playoffs. Donna High is in fourth in the district after beating Brownsville Porter, now one game behind Donna.
The senior outside hitter has 799 kills for her career and is third in the state with 587 kills, according to stats provided by Edcouch-Elsa via MaxPreps.com. Ybarra is also tops in Class 5A in kills.
DIGGING IT FOR THE D’BACKS
Sharyland Pioneer’s Elizabeth “Lizzy” Fina registered her 1,000th career dig against Sharyland High at the end of last month. The senior libero has been a huge part of the Diamondbacks’ 32-4 record, giving them a wide range of coverage in the back row and phenomenal passing to transition from defense to offense.
“Lizzy is a very skilled, consistent and knowledgeable player,” Pioneer head coach Laura Cavazos said. “She is the leader of our back row and controls our defensive energy. She can make a great play on defense and come right back and make a perfect pass out of serve receive.
“She’s the total package.”
Sharyland Pioneer hosts Sharyland High at 7 tonight.