Harlingen High made its debut at No. 18 in Class 6A in the most recent Texas Girls Coaches Association poll released Monday.
The Cardinals (21-4 according to the TGCA) are led by a pair of thunderous hitters in juniors Julianna Bryant and Casey Vidal. Harlingen went 1-1 last week, but its win came against Sharyland High (22-7), ranked at No. 20 in the Class 5A TGCA poll. Its loss came to McAllen Rowe in straight sets Saturday. Earlier in the season, the Cardinals lost to Sharyland Pioneer but bounced back to easily win the silver bracket of the Mission High tournament.
District 31-5A continued to have the most teams ranked with three. McAllen High (26-2) climbed one spot to No. 4, behind only Dallas Highland Park (20-5), Lucas Lovejoy (20-5) and College Station (22-2). The Bulldogs claimed sweeps over Harlingen South and Los Fresnos last week and begin district play Saturday at McAllen Rowe. The Warriors are one of the two teams to beat McHi, doing so at the McAllen Poundfest tournament. Sharyland Pioneer (22-2), the other team to beat the Bulldogs, are No. 11 in the state rankings.
Also remaining in the Class 5A poll, this week at No. 17, is Mission Veterans (17-5). The Patriots are looking for their 10th straight district title.
San Isidro (18-4) remained at No. 11 in the Class 1A-2A poll.