By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
Thousands of girls across Texas reported for the first day of volleyball practice on Wednesday as a new UIL season got underway.
Included among the volleyball teams opening workouts were those in the Rio Grande Valley.
Every team faces a new challenge in 2018, particularly the Rivera Lady Raiders and Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers, who have district titles to defend.
The Lady Raiders captured the District 32-6A crown a year ago with a 14-0 record. The Lady Chargers are two-time District 32-5A champions and boast a 28-0 league mark over the past two seasons.
Rivera is coming off a memorable 2017 season as the Lady Raiders won district for the first time since 2007 and coach Elizibeth Avelar-Guerra recorded her 500th career victory last Sept. 1 with a three-game sweep at home against Edinburg High. In addition to their 14-0 record in 32-6A, the Lady Raiders went 29-11 overall, including a trip to the area playoffs.
“Last year was awesome,” said Avelar-Guerra, who is now in her 26th season guiding the Lady Raiders. “We had a great group of girls.
“(But) last year was last year, and now, we’ve got to get our focus back and work hard again,” she added. “Everybody is good in our district, so it’ll be tough. I’m excited about the season. It’s a matter of how hard our girls want it. The potential is there.”
The Lady Raiders welcome back five players with varsity experience. They are setter Kourtney Shears, libero Madelaine Blanco, hitter/setter Claudia de la Garza, defensive specialist Martha Ramirez and hitter Kaylyn Samano.
There were approximately 40 players on hand for workouts Wednesday at Rivera.
“The main thing we’re doing right now is figuring out our lineup and what positions the girls will play,” Avelar-Guerra said. “Our defense is pretty well set and it’s a strong point for us.”
The Lady Raiders go to Donna High on Friday for a multi-team scrimmage and will play their annual alumni match at noon Saturday.
Meanwhile, Brownsville Veterans is rebuilding after graduating the nucleus of its players from its two-time 32-5A champion.
The Lady Chargers are expected to draw upon their junior varsity and freshman squads of a year ago that each won district.
There were approximately 60 players participating in workouts Wednesday.
“We don’t have a lot of height, but we have girls with athleticism who can leap high,” Lady Chargers coach Lisa Mares said. “We have young girls who are used to winning (at the sub-varsity levels). Hopefully, that will continue for them on the varsity.
“We’re under construction right now,” Mares added. “We hope to be a masterpiece at the end (of the season).”
Players back with varsity experience for Brownsville Veterans are utility player Frida Rangel, outside hitter/defensive specialist Pamela Sanchez and defensive specialist Sara Gomez.
The Lady Chargers play their annual alumni match at 5 p.m. Friday and then go to McAllen Rowe for a four-team scrimmage on Saturday.
Another defending district champion starting a new season is Jubilee Leadership Academy of Brownsville. The Lady Titans went 29-2 and reached the state final four in Texas Charter Schools Academic and Athletic League competition in 2017.
Top players for Jubilee this season are left-side hitter Valentina Tijerina, setter Fernanda Bannock and outside hitter Elise Forte, a promising newcomer. There are nine other returning lettermen.
The Lopez Lady Lobos were one of the first teams to open the new volleyball season as they held a “Midnight Mayhem” conditioning workout in the early morning hours of Wednesday on their artificial turf field on campus.
At Los Fresnos, Becky Woods began her 34th season of coaching the Lady Falcons.
One of the new coaches in the Valley is Pace’s Pamela McCumber. She is replacing Gavin Rudder.
As per UIL rules, Monday marks the first day teams can play regular-season matches.