McAllen Memorial became the fifth team to be state-ranked in the Texas Girls Coaches Association Top 15 poll, released Monday.
The Mustangs did so right before maybe their two biggest matches of the year to date — today at home against McAllen Rowe and Saturday at Sharyland Pioneer. Memorial is undefeated in grueling District 31-5A at 5-0 while Rowe and Pioneer are both 4-1.
A pair of wins by the Mustangs will give them a two-game lead and a little bit of breathing room as the first time through district play comes to an end Saturday — and they all get to do it one more time. Pioneer’s only loss was to Rowe, while Rowe’s single setback came from Sharyland High.
The Mustangs jumped everyone else that had been ranked in the poll, debuting Monday at No. 14 with a 22-11 overall record. Pioneer (26-3) dropped to No. 16 by virtue of being swept last week by McAllen Rowe (23-5), which came in at No. 21. McAllen High, which has lost games to Rowe, Pioneer and Memorial, dropped out of the poll and also finds itself in a big match against former state-ranked Sharyland High.
The Mustangs are highly anticipating the return of The Monitor’s 2020 All-Area Volleyball Blocker of the Year Eliane Silberman within the next week or so. Silberman has missed the entire season thus far while playing for the Peruvian U18 team that recently competed in the Women’s Volleyball World Cup.
Also dropping out of the poll was Mission Veterans after a five-set non-district loss to Edinburg North.
Elsewhere, San Isidro continues its smooth and steady climb in the Class 1A/2A poll, this week at No. 9 with a 24-4 mark.
Powerful Harlingen High remains steadfast in the Class 6A poll. The District 32-6A-leading Cardinals are ranked No. 18 with a 27-5 record.
PSJA High, which debuted last week in the Class 6A poll, dropped out after a five-set loss to Edinburg North before bouncing back with a five-set win against Edinburg High.