Seven Rio Grande Valley teams kept their seasons alive by securing area-round playoff victories Thursday in water polo’s first year as a UIL-sanctioned sport.
Harlingen High and Harlingen South’s boys and girls teams are moving on to the regional quarterfinal round. Joining them are Mission Veterans’ girls, PSJA High’s girls and the PSJA North boys team.
All will be playing their Round 3 games beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the City of Pharr Natatorium, with the winners earning a spot in the regional tournament. Here’s how they got there.
BOYS WATER POLO
PSJA NORTH 15, SAN ANTONIO JAY 11: At Laredo, the Raiders secured their spot in Round 3 with an area-round win over San Antonio Jay. Jayden Ybarra led PSJA North with eight goals, Josue Rocha had four and Kaleb Dallas added three.
The Raiders opened the playoffs with a 21-7 bi-district win over Los Fresnos.
PSJA North will now face Harlingen High in a regional quarterfinal at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
| PSJA North Boys Water Polo |
HARLINGEN HIGH 15, SAN ANTONIO SOUTHWEST 5: At Laredo, the Cardinals picked up a double-digit win, led by the offense of Kristopher Cantu and Julian Peña. Harlingen defeated Sharyland Pioneer 11-8 in the first round of the playoffs.
The Cardinals, who finished as the No. 4 seed in District 32-6A, are scheduled to meet District 32-6A champion PSJA North, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
| Harlingen High Boys Water Polo |
HARLINGEN SOUTH 23, SAN ANTONIO STEVENS 2: At Laredo, the Hawks blew San Antonio Stevens out of the water with a 21-point victory. Frankie Rodriguez led Harlingen South in scoring against Stevens. The Hawks won their bi-district playoff game 17-6 over Mission High.
Harlingen South is slated to take on San Antonio Holmes at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
| Harlingen South Boys Water Polo |
GIRLS WATER POLO
PSJA HIGH 33, SAN ANTONIO SOUTHWEST 4: At Laredo, the Bears powered past San Antonio Southwest with a huge day offensively. Paloma Sosa led PSJA High with nine goals.
PSJA High opened the playoffs with an 18-5 win against Mission High.
The Bears advance to Round 3 to take on Harlingen High at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
| PSJA High Girls Water Polo |
HARLINGEN HIGH 17, SAN ANTONIO STEVENS 9: At Laredo, the Cardinals topped San Antonio Stevens as Davina Gutierrez and Giovanna Pierami finished as the team’s leading scorers. Harlingen took down Sharyland High 16-6 in the bi-district round to start the postseason.
The Cardinals are scheduled to play the Bears in a regional quarterfinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
| Harlingen High Girls Water Polo |
MISSION VETERANS 14, SAN ANTONIO HOLMES 4: At Laredo, the District 31-6A champion Patriots punched their ticket to Round 3 with a win over San Antonio Holmes. Belen Aguirre scored a match-high seven goals with four assists, and teammate Sarah Garcia scored four goals and dished out seven assists. Itzel De Leon added three goals for Mission Veterans. The Patriots defeated PSJA Memorial 16-3 in the first round of the playoffs.
Mission Veterans will collide against District 32-6A champion Harlingen South at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
| Mission Veterans Girls Water Polo |
HARLINGEN SOUTH 23, SAN ANTONIO SOUTHWEST LEGACY 2: At Laredo, the District 32-6A champion Hawks soared past San Antonio Southwest Legacy. Mia Hinojosa finished as Harlingen South’s leading scorer against Southwest Legacy.
Through two rounds, the Hawks are outscoring opponents 43-2. South beat Sharyland Pioneer to open the playoffs.
The Hawks are now slated to meet District 31-6A champion Mission Veterans at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
| Harlingen South Girls Water Polo |