McALLEN – Then, there was one – well, for now.
In a match with teams highlighting completely contrasting, but highly effective, styles, McAllen Memorial claimed a 25-23, 25-17, 25-22 victory over McAllen Rowe in a battle of District 31-5A giants at McAllen Memorial High School.
The win puts Memorial at the top of the District 31-5A standings with a 6-0 mark, the only unbeaten team remaining in the district. It also sets up another monumental matchup with second-place Sharyland Pioneer on Saturday at Pioneer. The Diamondbacks are 5-1.
Rowe’s vaunted defense was stellar once again as Ariana Castro, Vanessa Morales, Mia Mata and a host of Warriors kept popping up what looked to be clear kills from the Mustangs’ and their offensive arsenal. The floor, at ties, were blanketed by diving, green jerseys.
Memorial, however, showed they not only could play defense as well, but also found ways to get the ball more often to their setter for clean attacks. At one point in the second set, Rowe gave Memorial three free balls during a five-point span. Libero Cassie Falcon and defensive specialist Sammi Garcia got to the balls, sent perfect passes for setter Madison Amaya to assist on thunderous blasts from Amare Hernandez, Leah Garcia and Madisyn Sosa.
“I was very impressed with my back row and the setters tonight,” Memorial head coach Ashley Doffing said. “They moved their feet and got to the high rollers and tips they kept sending us.
“We talked to the girls about playing until the whistle blows because they (Rowe) are going to pick up everything. We worked on that during practice and it showed today. “
Tuesday, that game included pinpoint passing that led to Memorial having a large advantage on the attack side. Even the strongest walls collapse after being hit with cannonballs over and over. Because of those relentless attacks, Rowe couldn’t put together enough attack opportunities to counter on their end.
“There were some great rallies during that match,” Doffing said. “The girls knew they had to be patient. It might not come on the first (attack) or the second but they just needed to stay focus and play our game. They did that.”
Hernandez, The Monitor’s 2020 All-Area Newcomer of the Year, led Memorial with 12 kills and two blocks while Leah Garcia added nine kills and a pair of blocks and Madisyn Sosa contributed another six kills. Those three Memorial hitters are all sophomores, along with Gaby Torres, who provided solid defense as well for the defending District 31-5A champions.
Mata led the Warriors with nine kills while Natalia Higareda and Vanessa Morales each tallied five kills.
Memorial came into the match by debuting at No. 14 in Class 5A according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association top 25 released Monday.
Rowe is ranked No. 21 in the latest TGCA poll.
Memorial became the fifth team in an uber powerful District 31-5A to make and appearance in the poll. They close out the first time through district play Saturday at Sharyland Pioneer. The Diamondbacks are 5-1 in district following Tuesday’s win over PSJA Memorial.
Memorial is also awaiting the return of The Monitor’s All-Area Blocker of the Year, Eliane Silberman, who has been playing with the Peruvian national team in the U18 World Championships. Silberman was in attendance Tuesday and said she would return in two weeks, “against McHi, here at home,” she said.