BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — After years of being the Valley’s most dominant program, Sharyland High hit a lull the Rattlers haven’t felt since 2007 on Friday, losing their second consecutive regular-season game.

Sharyland allowed Laredo United quarterback Ignazio Tellez to throw for 309 yards and six touchdowns in the first half alone, putting the Rattlers in an insurmountable hole that resulted in a 55-35 loss at Richard Thompson Stadium.

“Me, personally, it gets me a little mad,” defensive end Beto Ruiz said of the loss. “We don’t expect that from Sharyland.”

Indeed, the Rattlers had lost just five regular season games total in seven seasons since 2007, averaging 10.7 wins per year.

But after graduating 46 seniors at the end of last season, Sharyland High is feeling the effects of the split that created Sharyland Pioneer, with 30 fewer players in the program compared to 2014.

“This tells me that maybe the split affected us a little bit as far as depth, but we’re still just as good as ever,” quarterback Seth Carter said. “The main thing is we’re a very young team.”

That youth is showing on defense. A week after giving up 473 yards on the ground in a 42-18 loss against McAllen Memorial, Sharyland allowed 440 passing yards on Friday.

“Look at who we’ve faced,” Sharyland High coach Ron Adame said. “We’re facing some good teams. District championship teams. Taking all of that into account, I’m proud of our boys. And I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

Tellez finished 40 of 59 with 440 yards and 8 touchdowns, marking only the 29th time in the history of Texas high school football that a player has thrown eight touchdown passes or more.

David Sanchez was his leading target, making 13 catches for 199 yards and five scores.

“I think communication in the backfield on defense killed us a lot,” Ruiz said.

United opened up a 21-point lead when it scored twice in 25 seconds during the second quarter. Tellez found Sanchez from 24 yards out with 9:37 to play, Sharyland’s Manny Campos lost a fumble on the next play from scrimmage, and United immediately scored again on a pass from Tellez to Daniel Ruiz that brought the lead to 28-7 with 9:12 remaining in the quarter.

Still, the Rattlers never trailed by more than 21 points, and the defense stiffened after halftime, holding the Longhorns to -4 yards during the third quarter.

“We just challenged our boys,” Adame said. “Our guys flat out showed some character.”

Down 42-28 with the ball inside United’s 20-yard line, Sharyland High looked to be making a rally before Carter threw an interception as the final seconds of the third quarter ticked off.

“Simple mistakes kept us out of the game,” Carter said. “A little key block here and there, it’s a different game.”

Carter was the Rattlers’ leader on offense, completing 16 of 32 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 20 times for 130 yards and a score. Sergio Tornero found the end zone twice on the ground, and Campos scored once.

“A lot of stuff was working — we have a talented team,” Carter said. “Everything was just one block away from being something special.”

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BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

A season after being named one of three setters of the year in District 32-5A, Mercedes’ Kristen Gutierrez has taken on a leadership role for the Lady Tigers.

“She really motivates them,” coach Judy Gutierrez said. “She always tries to get them pumped up before the game. She’s always talking to them on the court.”

Coach Gutierrez said Kristen has stood out with her sets, serves and digs — the three things that made her a standout last year. Now in her third year as a varsity starter, she’s only gotten better in each area.

Junior outside hitter Caitlyn Gutierrez and sophomore middle blocker Roselyn Rodriguez have also been standouts for Mercedes.

The Lady Tigers also boast two other seniors in their rotation: libero Alexa Pena and outside hitter Victoria Anciso, who has become an integral part of the team’s offense after missing all of last season due to a torn ACL.

Despite not having any players taller than 5-foot-8, Mercedes has found some early success on the strength of its defense, jumping out to a 10-8 record.

“We’re not a very tall team, but we’re athletic,” coach Gutierrez said. “We can dig the ball very well.”

DEFENSIVE STRIDES

When Sarah Salinas joined the La Joya High varsity team as a sophomore last season, coach Carlos Salinas said she came in raw.

Now, she’s one of the integral pieces on an improving defense for the Coyotes.

“We worked with her, and this year she’s been showing a lot more improvement from last year,” coach Salinas said. “She’s taken the role of a leader out there on the court.”

In addition to becoming more talkative with her teammates, the junior Salinas has improved as a passer. Coach Salinas said she’s become more crisp and more sound in starting the team’s offense.

The early part of the season has been something of a rollercoaster ride for La Joya, coach Salinas said. The mostly inexperienced team is 7-11 overall, and the majority of the positives have started on the defensive end.

“They’ve been doing a lot better since the beginning of the year,” coach Salinas said. “They were struggling a little bit, but we’ve been getting a little bit of a better rhythm.”

One of the biggest threats on La Joya’s attack has been a sophomore: Karina Casanova.

“She hits with a lot of power,” coach Salinas said. “She’s a little raw, but we’re working with her. We’ve been improving on her hits, on her swing. Her approach is getting better. She’s been getting some balls down with a lot of authority.”

STARTING OVER

Losing 12 players from last year’s varsity roster, the 2015 season is a rebuilding year for Roma and coach Angie Garcia.

After finishing last season 29-11 and 7-5 in District 31-5A, the Lady Gladiators are 8-12 so far in 2015 as the group continues to tinker with roles and try to find a rotation that works.

“It’s been a tough season,” Garcia said. “It’s a lot of trial and error, and a lot of different lineups and different rotations. We’re trying to get the right one.”

Garcia said the team’s three tournaments, most recently a trip to Laredo, have started to give her a clearer picture of what she’s working with.

The current roster has three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and a freshman, including one sophomore starter in Mariana Canales. Garcia sees her squad as a talented group that could potentially make a return trip to the playoffs once its players have varsity experience under their belts.

“It’ll be a rebuilding year for us, but we’re definitely trying to get into playoffs,” Garcia said. “We have a really tough district, and we know that. But that’s not going to keep us from working hard and trying to squeeze in there somehow.”

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BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

Heading to San Antonio last week to face one of the state’s best and most storied teams in Odessa Permian, McAllen High coach Kevin Brewer knew his defense would be in for a challenge. But he didn’t quite envision things going as poorly as they did.

Permian picked up 656 yards of total offense and scored on every possession as McHi lost 70-14.

“I thought we were going to be able to limit them a little bit more than we did defensively,” Brewer said. “We couldn’t win first down. We couldn’t stop them on third down. It was just a long day for us defensively.”

Although the Bulldogs return just two starters on the defensive side, Brewer was excited about the group’s athleticism. Still, McHi’s athletes didn’t compare to Permian, which spread the field and gave the Bulldogs fits with an option attack.

“When you’re outgunned physically and you make those kind of mistakes, they cost you seven points,” Brewer said. “We were going to have to be dang near 100 percent assignment wise just to give ourselves a chance, and we weren’t.”

Brewer left the game with some positives on offense: Caleb Youngblood showed well as the starting quarterback, Josh McGowen ran for 115 yards in his McHi debut, and the pass protection was solid. Still, penalties and struggles in short-yardage situations kept the Bulldogs from scoring more than 14 points.

“We got our butts kicked,” Brewer said. “You’re always going to feel the sting when that happens. But by the time we went back to work at 7:30 Monday morning, we were fine.”

RETURNING THREAT

McAllen Memorial’s Trevor Speights was named the 6A Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week after rushing for 248 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. He’ll have a little extra help as he tries to follow up on that distinction in Week 2, as wide receiver DJ Johnson returns to the lineup after missing the opener due to lingering effects from a concussion suffered during Memorial’s preseason scrimmage.

Johnson tied for the District 30-6A lead with eight touchdown receptions last season, hauling in 16 passes for 554 yards despite missing four games due to injury.

“He gives us a deep threat,” coach Bill Littleton said. “We’ll do what they give us. We’re not going to be doing things a whole lot different, but we know we have a deep threat, and they know we have a deep threat, so they have to cover him. If they don’t cover him, we’ll sure throw the ball to him.”

Defensive end Paul Zuniga also missed last week’s game with an ankle injury, and Littleton said Zuniga is questionable for Saturday’s game against Edinburg Economedes.

SOPHOMORE SURGE

Although La Joya Juarez-Lincoln suffered its 12th consecutive loss last week, coach Tommy Garcia came away encouraged by the performance of the team’s sophomores.

Against a PSJA Memorial team that handed Juarez-Lincoln a 33-0 defeat last season, the Huskies took a 7-0 lead into halftime before letting the game slip away in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing 14-7.

“From what I was hearing, everybody thought we were going to get drilled,” Garcia said. “But it’s like I told the kids, we’re going to put our best 11 against their best 11 and go from there. I wasn’t surprised.”

Garcia was pleased with how his current sophomores finished out last season, and they continued to make strides in Week 1. Running back Adonis Barillas was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 38 yards, and Julio Monsivalles and Jesus Proa held their own on the offensive line.

Sophomore standouts on defense included safety Elias Gutierrez, who caused two fumbles, and defensive tackles Norberto Lomeli and Bryan Lira.

But those tackles, like many other players on Juarez-Lincoln’s roster, fatigued down the stretch last week.

“We got tired, and that’s on me,” Garcia said. “I had some kids cramping up that were going both ways, but I like what I saw from our sophomores. They opened up some eyes.”

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BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

For La Joya Palmview and PSJA Southwest, tonight’s game will be like looking in a mirror.

Both teams are 1-0, both are coming off the best season in program history, and both boast high-powered rushing attacks. As a result, their meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at PSJA Stadium will serve as a useful measuring stick for both schools.

“They believe in a lot of the things that we do,” PSJA Southwest coach Jesus Reyes said. “It’s going to be a good test; a good game for both of us.”

Palmview posted its first winning year last season, going 7-4-1 and advancing to the second round of the playoffs behind physical play on both sides of the ball. Prior to 2014, Palmview was 17-43 all time.

“It’s an up-and-coming program, and they had a great year last year,” Reyes said. “They’re going to have another one this year. It’s a great opportunity for both of us to go out there and execute and get better for our district season.”

For PSJA Southwest, that district season will be geared towards making the postseason for the first time in school history. After going 2-8 in 2012 and 1-9 in 2013, the Javelinas improved to 6-4 last year, just missing a playoff berth.

PSJA Southwest met Palmview in Week 2 last season, losing 35-28.

“I know they’re good, they showed it to us last year,” Palmview coach Margarito Requenez said. “They gave us a run for our money. This will be a good test.”

PSJA Southwest took down Valley View 11-6 in Week 1 on the strength of its ground game. Jesus Acosta led the way with 116 yards, and Reyes said he looked bigger, faster and stronger than when he racked up 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior last year.

Palmview also showed off its rushing attack last week, picking up 371 yards on the ground in beating Brownsville Lopez 53-7. Junior running back Joel Pina led the way with 237 yards and four touchdowns.

“We knew he was good, but he was playing behind two seniors last year, so he didn’t really touch the ball too much,” Requenez said. “But we knew he was special, and it shows on Friday nights.”

Senior Misal Guerra also eclipsed 100 yards for Palmview, racking up 104 and a touchdown on 12 carries. Guerra was used only sparingly last season, but Requenez said he is likely Palmview’s fastest back.

Requenez and Reyes both said the key to slowing the opposition’s running attack will be diagnosing which direction the play is going at the snap.

“They came out last week and they looked like a million dollars. They did a hell of a job,” Reyes said. “We just have to read our keys and play hard-nosed football.”

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Tuesday, Sept. 1

Non-District

McAllen Rowe def. Sharyland High 25-21, 25-9, 25-20

McAllen Memorial def. Edinburg Vela 25-21, 25-13, 25-17

PSJA Memorial def. Brownsville Porter 25-19, 25-14, 25-15

Mission High def. Roma 25-23, 25-14, 25-9

Mcallen High def. Brownsville Veterans 25-21, 25-16, 26-24

Mercedes def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-17, 25-14, 25-8

Donna North def. Valley View 26-24, 25-27, 16-25, 26-25, 15-11

Grulla def. PSJA Southwest 25-22, 25-20, 25-22

Mission Veterans def. Los Fresnos 25-21, 25-23, 25-17

Sharyland Pioneer def. Harlingen South 25-19, 25-14, 23-25, 25-16

Donna High def. Weslaco East 25-17, 25-14, 25-8

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Rivera 25-16, 25-14, 25-10

PSJA High def. San Benito 21-25, 30-28, 25-19, 25-13

Monte Alto def. Port Isabel

San Perlita at Raymondville, not reported

Edcouch-Elsa at Harlingen High, not reported

Brownsville Pace at Edinburg High, not reported

Brownsville Hanna at Weslaco High, not reported

Hidalgo at La Joya Palmview, not reported

San Perlita at Raymondville, not reported

La Feria at Lyford, not reported

Rio Grande City at Progreso, not reported

Brownsville Lopez at La Joya High, not reported

District 31-6A

PSJA North def. Edinburg Economedes 25-9, 25-10, 25-15

Juan Diego Academy Tournament

Banquete Invitational Varsity Tournament

Saturday, Sept. 5

Non-District

Brownsville Pace at La Feria, 11 a.m.

Lyford at Port Isabel, 11 a.m.

PSJA Memorial at La Joya Palmview, noon

Edinburg Economedes at Sharyland High, noon

McAllen Rowe at Brownsville Veterans, noon

Laredo United South at Roma, noon

McAllen High at Harlingen High, noon

PSJA Southwest at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, noon

Donna North at Mission High, noon

Mercedes at Valley View, noon

La Joya High at Donna High, noon

Harlingen South at Laredo United, noon

Edinburg North at Edinburg Vela, noon

Los Fresnos at McAllen Memorial, noon

Edinburg High at Brownsville Rivera, noon

Corpus Christi Ray at Edcouch-Elsa, 12:30 p.m.

Monte Alto at Raymondville, 12:30 p.m.

Laredo United at Sharyland Pioneer, 1 p.m.

Hidalgo at Brownsville Lopez, 1 p.m.

Laredo Nixon at Rio Grande City, 2 p.m.

Mission Veterans at San Benito, 3 p.m.

PSJA High at Weslaco East, 3 p.m.

Tuesday’s Matches

Non-District

MCALLEN HIGH DEF. BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL

25-21, 25-16, 26-24

BROWNSVILLE VETS — Not reported.

MCALLEN HIGH — Hannah Bishop 7 kills, 1 block; Sydney Pemelton 10 kills, 4 blocks; Carter Helemcamp 8 kills, 13 assists; 4 kills, 21 assists, 3 aces; Julia Monday 13 kills, 2 aces; Kelly Wooden 17 digs; Taylor Helemcamp 4 kills 2 blocks

RECORDS — McAllen High 27-1

McALLEN ROWE DEF. SHARYLAND HIGH

25-21, 25-9, 25-20

MCALLEN ROWE — Mayda Garcia 19 kills, 20 digs, 13 blocks, 1 assist; Amanda Martinez 11 kills, 8 digs, 2 blocks; Sophia Luna 5 kills, 5 blocks; Ryela Rodriguez 4 kills, 1 ace, 9 blocks; Vanessa Lopez 21 assists; Deanna Spear 20 digs, 1 block, 14 assists

SHARYLAND HIGH — Paige Jones 5 kills, 10 assists; Caleigh Hausenfluck 23 digs; Maddie Garza 3 blocks.

RECORDS — McAllen Rowe 25-7

MISSION HIGH DEF. ROMA

25-23, 25-14, 25-9

ROMA — Not reported

MISSION HIGH — Lissete Vela 7 kills,3 blocks; Alyssa Olivarez 7 kills, 6 points, 15 digs; Emily Alvarado 13 points, 23 assists, 11 digs; Michelle Madden 11 assists; Kazzy Rodriguez 14 points, 21 digs; Nicole Reyes 6 kills, 4 blocks; Clarissa Gonzalez 4 kills, 3 blocks

RECORD S— Mission High 10-12

McALLEN MEMORIAL DEF. EDINBURG VELA

25-21, 25-13, 25-17

McALLEN MEMORIAL — Allie Nitsch 11 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks, 10 digs; Lanie Nitsch 10 kills; Draik Banks 4 kills, 4 blocks; Taylor Marburger 28 assists, 11 digs.

EDINBURG VELA — Jaida Muhammad 7 kills, 14 digs, 7 points; Nicole Evelar 7 kills, 5 points; Chery Chavez 12 digs, 4 points; Cynthia Hernandez 6 assists, 4 points; Julissa Cuellar 3 kills, 7 assists

RECORDS — Edinburg Vela 24-8

MISSION VETERANS MEMORIAL DEF. LOS FRESNOS

25-21, 25-23, 25-17

MISSION VETERANS — Gabby Lerma 9 kills, 1 aces, 15 digs; D.D. Ibarra 12 kills, 21 assists, 20 digs; Daisy Reyna 16 kills, 1 ace; Mariah Gonzalez 18 digs; Alex Jimenez 4 kills, 6 blocks.

LOS FRESNOS — Not reported.

RECORDS — Mission Veterans 20-3; Los Fresnos not reported.

PSJA MEMORIAL DEF. BROWNSVILLE PORTER

25-19, 25-14, 25-15

PSJA MEMORIAL — Kristi Gomez 15 kills, Desery Gomez 10 kills; Amanda Aguilera 23 assists; Victoria Maldonado 12 digs.

BROWNSVILLE PORTER — Not reported.

RECORDS — Not reported.

PSJA HIGH DEF. SAN BENITO

21-25, 30-28, 25-19, 25-13

PSJA HIGH — Jackie Alanis 18 kills; Myranda Garza 14 kills, 4 aces; Valeria Gonzales 7 kills, 4 aces, 42 assists; Mariah West 4 kills; Gabie Fonseca 18 digs.

SAN BENITO — Not reported.

RECORDS — Not reported.

GRULLA DEF. PSJA SOUTHWEST

25-22, 25-20, 25-22

GRULLA — Caitlyn Rodriguez 15 digs; Danielle Lopez 4 kills, 8 assists, 10 digs; Delma Ozuna 9 kills, 2 blocks, 18 digs; Evelyn Zarate 7 kills, 9 assists, 7 digs; Victoria Gonzalez 32 digs; Shelsie Hernandez 3 kills, 3 blocks, 6 digs.

PSJA SOUTHWEST — Not reported.

RECORDS — Grulla 5-0; PSJA Southwest not reported.

SHARYLAND PIONEER DEF. HARLINGEN SOUTH

25-19, 25-14, 23-25, 25-16

SHARYLAND PIONEER — Desiree Garza 8 kills, 2 blocks; Audrey Smith 11 kills, 16 assists, 1 ace; Mariah Youngblood 8 kills; Elise Lopez 24 digs; Maddie Hatzold 7 kills, 1 ace; Sandra Solis 1 kill, 15 assists; Brooke Garza 4 aces, 10 digs.

HARLINGEN SOUTH — Not reported.

RECORDS — Not reported.

DONNA HIGH DEF. WESLACO EAST

25-19, 25-20, 25-15

DONNA HIGH — Melanie Arenas 10 kills, 2 aces; Adrianna Martinez 24 assists; Kara Yanez 24 digs; Yvette Tamez 9 kills, 5 aces, 5 digs.

WESLACO EAST — Not reported.

RECORDS — Donna High 11-4; Weslaco East not reported.

DISTRICT 31-6A

PSJA NORTH DEF. EDINBURG ECONOMEDES

25-9, 25-10, 25-15

PSJA NORTH — Stephanie Crispin 8 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace; Maryeld Gonzalez 6 kills, 6 aces, 10 digs; Belle Palacios 6 kills, 5 digs, 2 aces; Sam Enriques 32 assists, 6 aces.

EDINBURG ECONOMEDES — Not reported.

RECORDS — Not reported.

BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — At this time last season, Edinburg North volleyball player Victoria Rogers was still working her way into the rotation. Now, as only a sophomore, Rogers has established herself as the Lady Cougars’ leader not just with her play, but with how she guides her older teammates.

Both sides of Rogers’ game were on full display Tuesday night, as she led Edinburg North with nine kills as the Lady Cougars beat Brownsville Rivera 25-16, 25-14, 25-10 in Edinburg.

“Last year I was a newcomer, and I was the underdog,” Rogers said. “Now, the second year, I have a little more confidence, and I know that I can do better.”

Coach Adrian Cavazos said Rogers entered the program under the radar, coming over from St. Joseph Catholic School.

She began the year on the freshman team, moved to JV for a couple of weeks and then came up to varsity, mostly to serve as a blocker on the right side because of her 5-foot-11 frame.

By the end of the season, she had proven herself a capable attacking threat, finishing fourth on the team in kills.

“I really enjoyed that season,” Rogers said. “It was game changing.”

Now in her second year on varsity, Rogers has moved to outside hitter and solidified herself as the Lady Cougars’ top attacking option. She’s also been playing on the back row for the first time in her high-school career, taking on a bigger role with digs and serve reception.

Still, the biggest change Cavazos and senior setter Ayissa Maldonado notice in Rogers is her maturity.

“Although she’s a sophomore, her mindset is maybe of a college volleyball player,” Maldonado said. “She’s more mature than most of the seniors, I can tell you that. She knows most of the skills. She’s an excellent player.”

Maldonado sees Rogers as a much physically stronger player than last season, particularly in her upper body. Maldonado also credited Rogers for her ability to adjust to misplaced sets and still make the best possible shot, whether it’s a tip or a full swing.

“She’s definitely gotten smarter on her placement,” Maldonado said. “If she sees lines open, she’ll tell me, ‘Push it out, and I’ll hit line.’”

Rogers said conversations like those have been a point of emphasis for her. Although she’s the only sophomore on a roster full of juniors and seniors, she’s tried to become a leader in the huddle. When Edinburg North was taking the court for the start of the second game on Tuesday, Rogers was the one who tried to energize her teammates, clapping and shouting “Woo!”

“All my life, in club season and in middle school, I’ve always been the youngest,” Rogers said. “I’ve always played with older people, so it doesn’t feel weird.”

Cavazos said that club play is one of Rogers’ biggest assets, giving her a leg up in game experience despite having fewer varsity reps. While she said taking charge of her teammates is still a work in progress, Cavazos has seen positive results so far.

“She’s one of our more spirited players,” Cavazos said. “She really gets after it. She tries to pick the girls up. She’s more talkative than the other girls.

“You usually expect your older kids to take on that role, but she’s taken it on. And she does a pretty good job.”

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Third Annual Sharyland ISD Invitational Volleyball Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 27

Matches start at 2 p.m.

Pool Play

Pool A, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

McAllen High def. San Benito 25-12, 25-16

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Porter 21-25, 25-10, 20-18

McAllen High def. Brownsville Porter 25-11, 25-12

Edinburg North def. San Benito 25-11, 25-21

San Benito def. Brownsville Porter, 25-21, 25-17

McAllen High def. Edinburg North, 25-11, 25-20

Pool B, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 2

Sharyland Pioneer def. PSJA High, 26-24, 23-25, 15-6

Brownsville Rivera def. Weslaco High, 25-11, 25-17

Sharyland Pioneer def. Weslaco High 25-14, 19-25, 15-7

Brownsville Rivera def. PSJA High 25-24, 25-16, 15-12

PSJA High def. Weslaco High, 25-23, 19-25, 15-10

Sharyland Pioneer def. Brownsville Rivera 25-16, 25-14

Pool C, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 3

McAllen Rowe def. Donna High 25-15, 25-18

Brownsville Hanna def. Weslaco East (forfeit)

McAllen Rowe def. Weslaco East (forfeit)

Brownsville Hanna def. Donna High 25-19, 25-15, 15-5

Donna High def. Weslaco East (forfeit)

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Hanna 25-12, 25-21

Pool D, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

Sharyland High def. Brownsville Pace 25-14, 25-17

Los Fresnos def. Edinburg Economedes 25-1, 25-10

Sharyland High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-11, 25-18

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Pace 25-12, 25-10

Brownsville Pace def. Edinburg Economedes 25-18, 25-21

Sharyland High def. Los Fresnos 24-26, 25-22, 15-11

Pool E, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 5

Brownsville Veterans def. Corpus Christi Miller, 25-11, 25- 5

Edinburg Vela def. La Joya High, 25-10, 25-21

Brownsville Veterans def. La Joya High, 25-19, 25-11

Edinburg Vela def. Corpus Christi, 25-14, 25-8

Corpus Christi Miller def. La Joya, 25-18, 25-17

Brownsville Veterans def. Edinburg Vela, 30-29, 25-18

Friday, Aug. 28

Pool A, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

McAllen High def. Donna High 25-10, 25-20

PSJA High def. Weslaco High 25-16, 25-18

McAllen High def. Weslaco High 25-9, 25-16

Donna High def. PSJA High 25-22, 25-20

Donna High def. Weslaco High 25-18, 22-25, 15-9

McAllen High def. PSJA High 25-13, 25-13

Pool B, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 2

Sharyland Pioneer def. Brownsville Pace 25-15, 25-17

Brownsville Hanna def. Weslaco East, forfeit

Sharyland Pioneer def. Weslaco East, forfeit

Brownsville Hanna def. Brownsville Pace 25-12, 25-18

Brownsville Pace def. Weslaco East, forfeit

Sharyland Pioneer def. Brownsville Hanna 25-19, 25-15

Pool C, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 3

McAllen Rowe def. La Joya High 25-13, 25-12

Sharyland High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-8, 25-18

McAllen Rowe def. Edinburg Economedes 25-9, 25-9

Sharyland High def. La Joya High 25-11, 25-12

Edinburg Economedes def. La Joya High 25-15, 18-25, 15-10

McAllen Rowe def. Sharyland High 25-15, 25-10

Pool D, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

Los Fresnos def. San Benito 25-12, 25-19

Edinburg Vela def. Corpus Christi Miller 25-14, 25-6

Los Fresnos def. Corpus Christi Miller 25-6, 25-8

Edinburg Vela def. San Benito 25-21, 25-13

San Benito def. Corpus Christi Miller 25-16, 25-10

Los Fresnos def. Edinburg Vela 25-21, 25-16

Pool E, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 5

Brownsville Veterans def. Brownsville Rivera 25-16, 25-17

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Porter 25-17, 25-18

Brownsville Veterans def. Brownsville Porter 25-11, 25-10

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Rivera 25-16, 25-20

Brownsville Rivera def. Brownsville Porter, 25-20, 25-11

Brownsville Veterans def. Edinburg North 16-25, 25-9, 17-15

Saturday, Aug. 29

Gold Bracket

At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

McAllen High def. Brownsville Hanna 25-12, 25-15

Sharyland Pioneer def. Brownsville Veterans 27-25, 25-22

McAllen High def. Sharyland Pioneer 26-24, 25-22

Gold Championship: McAllen High def. McAllen Rowe 25-23, 25-20

At Pioneer Main Gym Court 2

Los Fresnos def. Edinburg North 25-22, 25-19

McAllen Rowe def. Sharyland High 25-10, 25-19

McAllen Rowe def. Los Fresnos, 25-16, 25-22

Silver Bracket

At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 3

Edinburg Vela def. La Joya High 25-15, 25-9

Brownsville Rivera def. PSJA High 17-25, 25-18, 15-8

Edinburg Vela def. Brownsville Rivera 25-23, 25-16

Donna High def. San Benito 21-25, 25-17, 15-13

At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

Donna High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-13, 25-8

San Benito def. Brownsville Pace 25-20, 25-22

At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

Silver Championship: Edinburg Vela def. Donna High 19-25, 25-20, 15-11

Bronze Bracket

At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

Brownsville Porter def. Corpus Christi Miller 25-17, 25-19

Bronze Championship: Weslaco High def. Brownsville Porter 0-25, 25-21, 15-11

Hidalgo Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 27

Pool Play

At Hidalgo High Main Gym

Pool 1

Valley View def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-20

Hidalo def. Lyford 8-25, 25-22, 17-15

Juan Diego Academy def. Hidalgo 25-8, 25-14

Juan Diego Academy def. Lyford 25-10, 25-10

Juan Diego Academy def. Valley View 25-19, 22-25, 15-11

Valley View def. Lyford 25-13, 25-11

At Hidalgo High Practice Gym

Pool 2

PSJA Memorial def. Raymondville 25-18, 25-17

Harlingen High def. La Sara 25-11, 25-12

Harlingen High def. Raymondville 25-11, 25-23, 15-10

PSJA Memorial def. La Sara 25-9, 25-4

PSJA Memorial def. Harlingen High 25-15, 25-23

Raymondville def. La Sara 25-18, 25-13

Friday, Aug. 28

Pool Play

At Hidalgo High Main Gym

Pool 3

La Joya Palmview def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-23, 24-26, 15-6

La Feria def. PSJA North 25-21, 11-25, 15-8

La Feria def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-16, 25-21

PSJA North def. La Joya Palmview 25-16, 25-13

La Feria def. La Joya Palmview 25-14, 25-18

PSJA North def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-8, 25-18

At Hidalgo High Practice Gym

Pool 4

Mercedes def. Progreso 25-14, 25-22

PSJA Southwest def. Monte Alto 27-25, 25-15

Monte Alto def. Progreso 25-23, 23-25, 18-16

Mercedes def. PSJA Southwest 25-18, 25-19

Monte Alto def. Mercedes 25-14, 22-25, 15-11

Progreso def. PSJA Southwest 25-12, 16-25, 16-14

Saturday, Aug. 29

Gold Bracket

At Hidalgo High

Game 1: Mercedes def. Juan Diego Academy 25-22, 17-25, 15-13

Game 2: PSJA Memorial def. PSJA North 20-25, 25-15, 16-14

Game 3: Harlingen High def. La Feria 25-27, 25-15, 15-12

Game 4: Valley View def. Monte Alto 21-25, 25-21, 15-4

Game 5: PSJA Memorial def. Mercedes 25-17, 25-21

Game 6: Valley View def. Harlingen High 27-25, 25-16

Game 7: PSJA Memorial def. Valley View 25-23, 25-20, 25-23

Blue Bracket

Game 1: PSJA Southwest def. Hidalgo High 26-24, 25-11

Game 2: Raymondville def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-10, 12-25

Game 3: La Joya Palmview def. La Sara 25-17, 17-25

Game 4: Progreso def. Lyford 25-15, 17-25

Game 5: PSJA Southwest def. Raymondville 17-25, 25-18, 15-10

Game 6: Progreso def. La Joya Palmview 16-25, 25-19

Game 7: Progreso def. PSJA Southwest 25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19

Laredo Tournament

Mission Veterans def. Laredo LBJ 25-20, 25-13

Mission Veterans def. Laredo Martin 25-7, 25-7

Mission Veterans def. Del Rio 25-18, 22-25, 15-10

Mission Veterans def. Zapata 25-14, 25-12

McAllen Memorial def. Eagle Pass 25-16, 25-14

McAllen Memorial def. Rio Grande City 25-5, 25-6

McAllen Memorial def. Carrizo Springs 25-12, 25-8

McAllen Memorial def. San Antonio Highlands 25-8, 25-15

McAllen Memorial def. Laredo United South 25-7, 25-12

Mission Veterans def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-15, 25-12

Laredo United def. Mission Veterans 25-21, 24-26, 15-12

McAllen Memorial def. Del Rio 25-15, 21-25, 17-15

Third Place: Mission Veterans def. Laredo Alexander 25-27, 25-15, 25-19

Championship Match: McAllen Memorial def. Laredo United 25-22, 20-25, 30-28

Tournament MVP

Allie Nitsch, McAllen Memorial

All-Tournament Team

Draik Banks, McAllen Memorial

Taylor Marburger, McAllen Memorial

BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — McAllen High setter Carter Helmcamp thinks her job is pretty easy. Surrounded by two All-Valley players in Sydney Pemelton and Julia Monday, plus a strong supporting cast, Helmcamp has no shortage of setting options.

McHi put all of those weapons to work on Saturday, slamming home kill after kill to take down McAllen Rowe 25-23, 25-20 in the Sharyland ISD Invitational at Sharyland Pioneer.

“Whoever I give it to, I know they’ll do an amazing job and put the ball away quick,” Helmcamp said.

McAllen High had 33 kills. Monday led the way with 13, Helmcamp had 8, and Pemelton had 7 with three blocks to cement herself as the tournament MVP.

Pemelton and Monday have consistently been the Lady Bulldogs’ top kill producers, and each has developed significantly after starting as sophomores last year. Monday has stepped up her play in the back row defensively, and Pemelton said she’s grown stronger as a result of her offseason work at McAllen High and with the Cavazos Sports Institute in McAllen.

“Sydney has just become such a powerful hitter,” Helmcamp said. “Almost anything I give her, she’s learned how to put it where they’re not.”

Helmcamp also had success as an attacker on Saturday. With Rowe’s defense stretched to try to take away Monday and Pemelton, Helmcamp frequently found openings for dump shots between Rowe’s defenders.

“That’s just a strategy that we’ve used whenever the team is off or they’re transitioning,” Helmcamp said. “If they’re in the wrong place, we dump when they’re not ready, and it’s an easy point right there.”

The win continues a dominant start to 2015 for McAllen High, which is now 26-1. The win against Rowe capped a run of nine victories without dropping a game at the Sharyland tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs went on a similar steak in the Poundfest Tournament two weeks ago, going 9-0 without dropping a set and again beating Rowe in the final.

“We’re really gelling this year, and we’re staying focused,” Pemelton said. “We want to stay on top, and we’re working really hard to do that.”

McAllen High coach Paula Dodge hasn’t been surprised by the success of her squad. With Helmcamp, Pemelton and Monday joined by fellow returners Hannah Bishop, Taylor Helmcamp and Alexis Giusti, Dodge knew her team would be able to draw on its experience to get through tight situations. So far, so good.

“I’ve always been excited about the potential for this team,” Dodge said. “We work hard, all year long. At the end of last year, I was excited about this year. It’s just been a countdown from the end of one season to the next.”

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Third Annual Sharyland ISD Invitational Volleyball Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 27

Matches start at 2 p.m.

Pool Play

Pool A, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

McAllen High def. San Benito 25-12, 25-16

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Porter 21-25, 25-10, 20-18

McAllen High def. Brownsville Porter 25-11, 25-12

Edinburg North def. San Benito 25-11, 25-21

San Benito def. Brownsville Porter, 25-21, 25-17

McAllen High def. Edinburg North, 25-11, 25-20

Pool B, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 2

Sharyland Pioneer def. PSJA High, 26-24, 23-25, 15-6

Brownsville Rivera def. Weslaco High, 25-11, 25-17

Sharyland Pioneer def. Weslaco High 25-14, 19-25, 15-7

Brownsville Rivera def. PSJA High 25-24, 25-16, 15-12

PSJA High def. Weslaco High, 25-23, 19-25, 15-10

Sharyland Pioneer def. Brownsville Rivera 25-16, 25-14

Pool C, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 3

McAllen Rowe def. Donna High 25-15, 25-18

Brownsville Hanna def. Weslaco East (forfeit)

McAllen Rowe def. Weslaco East (forfeit)

Brownsville Hanna def. Donna High 25-19, 25-15, 15-5

Donna High def. Weslaco East (forfeit)

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Hanna 25-12, 25-21

Pool D, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

Sharyland High def. Brownsville Pace 25-14, 25-17

Los Fresnos def. Edinburg Economedes 25-1, 25-10

Sharyland High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-11, 25-18

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Pace 25-12, 25-10

Brownsville Pace def. Edinburg Economedes 25-18, 25-21

Sharyland High def. Los Fresnos 24-26, 25-22, 15-11

Pool E, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 5

Brownsville Veterans def. Corpus Christi Miller, 25-11, 25- 5

Edinburg Vela def. La Joya High, 25-10, 25-21

Brownsville Veterans def. La Joya High, 25-19, 25-11

Edinburg Vela def. Corpus Christi, 25-14, 25-8

Corpus Christi Miller def. La Joya, 25-18, 25-17

Brownsville Veterans def. Edinburg Vela, 30-29, 25-18

Friday, Aug. 28

Pool A, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

McAllen High vs. Donna High, Noon

Brownsville Rivera vs. Weslaco High, 1 p.m.

McAllen High vs. Weslaco High, 2 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera vs. Donna High, 3 p.m.

Donna High vs. Weslaco High, 4 p.m.

McAllen High vs. Brownsville Rivera, 5 p.m.

Pool B, At Pioneer Main Gym Court 2

Sharyland Pioneer vs. Brownsville Pace, Noon

Brownsville Hanna vs. Weslaco East, 1 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer vs. Weslaco East, 2 p.m.

Brownsville Hanna vs. Brownsville Pace, 3 p.m.

Brownsville Pace vs. Weslaco East, 4 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer vs. Brownsville Hanna, 5 p.m.

Pool C, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 3

McAllen Rowe vs. Corpus Christi Miller, Noon

Los Fresnos vs. Edinburg Economedes, 1 p.m.

McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg Economedes, 2 p.m.

Los Fresnos vs. Corpus Christi Miller, 3 p.m.

Corpus Christi Miller vs. Edinburg Economedes, 4 p.m.

McAllen Rowe vs. Los Fresnos, 5 p.m.

Pool D, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

Sharyland High vs. San Benito, Noon

Edinburg Vela vs. La Joya High, 1 p.m.

Sharyland High vs. La Joya High, 2 p.m.

Edinburg Vela vs. San Benito, 3 p.m.

San Benito vs. La Joya High, 4 p.m.

Sharyland High vs. Edinburg Vela, 5 p.m.

Pool E, At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 5

Brownsville Veterans vs. Weslaco High, Noon

Edinburg North vs. Brownsville Porter, 1 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans vs. Brownsville Porter, 2 p.m.

Edinburg North vs. Weslaco High, 3 p.m.

Weslaco High vs. Brownsville Porter, 4 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans vs. Edinburg North, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 29

Gold Bracket

At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

Winner 1/8 vs. Winner 4/5, 11 a.m.

Gold Bracket Championship Match, 2 p.m.

At Pioneer Main Gym Court 2

Winner 3/6 vs. Winner 2/7, 11 a.m.

Silver Bracket

At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 3

Winner 9/16 vs. Winner 11/14, 11 a.m.

Winner 10/15 vs. Winner 12/13, Noon

At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

At Pioneer Main Gym Court 1

Silver Bracket Championship, 1 p.m.

Bronze Bracket

At Pioneer Practice Gym Court 4

Bronze Championship Match, 1 p.m.

Hidalgo Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 27

Pool Play

At Hidalgo High Main Gym

Pool 1

Valley View def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-20

Hidalo def. Lyford 8-25, 25-22, 17-15

Juan Diego Academy def. Hidalgo 25-8, 25-14

Juan Diego Academy def. Lyford 25-10, 25-10

Juan Diego Academy def. Valley View 25-19, 22-25, 15-11

Valley View def. Lyford 25-13, 25-11

At Hidalgo High Practice Gym

Pool 2

PSJA Memorial def. Raymondville 25-18, 25-17

Harlingen High def. La Sara 25-11, 25-12

Harlingen High def. Raymondville 25-11, 25-23, 15-10

PSJA Memorial def. La Sara 25-9, 25-4

PSJA Memorial def. Harlingen High 25-15, 25-23

Raymondville def. La Sara 25-18, 25-13

Friday, Aug. 28

Pool Play

At Hidalgo High Main Gym

Pool 3

La Joya Palmview def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-23, 24-26, 15-6

La Feria def. PSJA North 25-21, 11-25, 15-8

La Feria def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-16, 25-21

PSJA North def. La Joya Palmview 25-16, 25-13

La Feria def. La Joya Palmview 25-14, 25-18

PSJA North def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-8, 25-18

At Hidalgo High Practice Gym

Pool 4

Mercedes def. Progreso 25-14, 25-22

PSJA Southwest def. Monte Alto 27-25, 25-15

Monte Alto def. Progreso 25-23, 23-25, 18-16

Mercedes def. PSJA Southwest 25-18, 25-19

Monte Alto def. Mercedes 25-14, 22-25, 15-11

Progreso def. PSJA Southwest 25-12, 16-25, 16-14

BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Facing an Odessa Permian squad that returns 18 starters after a third-round playoff appearance last season, McAllen High coach Kevin Brewer knows his team will learn what it takes to play at a high level.

When McHi opened the season with a 35-7 loss to Permian in 2014, the biggest of many lessons for the Bulldogs was the intensity they had to reach to hang with one of the state’s elite. If nothing else, McAllen expects to get a refresher course in those teachings when the team takes on Permian at 1 p.m. today at D.W. Rutledge Stadium in Converse.

“It gives us a good mental preparation for the rest of the teams and the rest of our schedule,” offensive lineman Elijah Dames said. “It helps our guys stay concentrated, knowing that’s the standard, and we have to be at that standard if we want to stay on top.”

Brewer said he referred to a different lesson from last season’s loss every week the rest of the season.

Both the lows of quickly falling behind 28-0 in the first half and the highs of playing to a 7-7 tie in the second half — albeit against most of Permian’s second-string players — were valuable tools.

“It does make us a better team. We come together,” defensive back Ruben Gutierrez said. “We know how to play tougher now because of them.”

Brewer said he’ll always prefer that sort of test to easing into the season against a beatable opponent. He’d rather give a relatively inexperienced roster with just seven returning starters a trial by fire, as he called it, than a warm-up game.

“When you play somebody early that you know is not up to your level, and let’s say it’s an easy win, you get a false sense of security going forward,” Brewer said. “And then when you play better teams, you really haven’t tested yourself.”

McHi’s defense only has two starters back, but Brewer has consistently lauded the group for its overall athleticism. That asset will be tested more than any other against Permian’s spread attack, led by running back Brandon Bailey, who racked up 1,621 yards and 21 total touchdowns last season. The Panthers will look to get the ball to the perimeter with sweeps or quick passes.

“They’re putting five premium, premium athletes out there in space,” Brewer said. “How are we handling that? So yeah, I love it.”

The Permian defense figures to bring heavy pressure, forcing new McHi starting quarterback Caleb Youngblood into quick decisions — something Brewer is looking forward to seeing.

New running back Joshua McGowen will also be tested right off the bat. What better way for the Overhills (Spring Lake, North Carolina) transfer to be initiated into Texas high school football than against the team that inspired Friday Night Lights?

“It’ll be a good measuring stick for him personally,” Brewer said.

For Brewer, one of the key focuses in today’s opener is starting strong. Coming out slow put the Bulldogs in an insurmountable hole last season.

“We want to go up there and play a clean game, our game, our style of football, and do what we like to do,” Brewer said. “Whether we win or lose, if we go up there and do that against them, I’ll be happy.”

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