BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — After stumbling to a 2-8 season in 2011, Mission High came back the following year and ripped off nine straight wins.

Faced with the prospect of rebounding from another 2-8 mark just two years later, coach Mario Pena believes the current crop of Eagles can make a similar recovery.

“We’ve done it before, and I expect for us to turn it around this year,” Pena said.

Looking at the two rebuilding projects, Pena sees a common denominator: leadership. He expects that the 2015 team, like the 2012 group, will be able to ride a strong senior class to a resurgent season and a playoff berth.

“We have to be accountable to each other,” senior offensive lineman Christian Navejar said. “We have to show up. We have to hold each other responsible for what we’re supposed to do.”

Last year, the Eagles faced a slew of injuries as they transitioned from 5A to 6A, but Pena said the biggest missing keys were leadership and character. Those factors, Pena said, were the reasons the team struggled in tight contests, losing five times by single-digit margins.

“Those close games, when you have good team character, you’re going to win,” Pena said. “Those are the things that we needed to do a lot of mental training.”

Pena believes the current leadership group — with captains Navejar, Marc Garcia, David Flores and Josh Flores — can change that.

He said the seniors stepped up to the plate early on, calling meetings without the coaches being there and encouraging the other players to stick around after practice for extra work.
“I feel like we don’t have the respect from the public that I feel we should,” Josh Flores said. “We’re working hard to earn that.”

The Eagles know the turnaround talk is meaningless until they prove it on the field. A defense that finished ranked third in the district returns just three starters, and an offense that ranked next to last brings back eight pieces but faces the challenge of transitioning to a new, up-tempo attack.

“We can’t wait — just watch,” David Flores said. “They’re predicting us to be something small, but we’re going to be something good. We’re just the underdogs.”

PICKING UP THE PACE

The Eagles will still be running a spread offense this season, but they plan to be picking up the pace substantially. The shift has required Mission High to put a greater emphasis on conditioning during the early stages of practice.

“Any time you try to pick it up, you have to be in better shape,” Pena said. “We’re in the foundation stage right now.”

Who will be under center in the new offense is still up in the air. Returning varsity player William Arias is competing with two newcomers for the job.

Josh Flores, who should be one of the go-to players at wideout, sees the change as an improvement, with more complicated routes and more motion.

“It took some time to learn, because he put a lot of information at us at once,” Flores said. “But, in time, we picked it up.”

IN THE TRENCHES

Pena thinks a line that returns all five starters will be the key to the Eagles’ offense, adding that the group is one of the biggest he’s coached in his seven years at Mission.

Navejar has established himself as one of the unit’s leaders at tackle.

“I’m thinking we’re going to carry the team on our back on the offensive side of the ball,” Navejar said. “The biggest difference is there’s much more chemistry. We know each other. We know each other’s flaws. And we’ve gotten much stronger from sophomore year.”

CALLING CARD

With 19 seasons as a head coach in Valley, Pena has developed a reputation on defense. His teams are going to be multiple, and they’re going to blitz aggressively.

The Eagles have been an undersized group since moving up to 6A last season, but the players live by the adage: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

With only three returning starters, Mission heads into the season looking for an almost entirely new group of dogs.

“The new guys are coming along great,” defensive back Marc Garcia said. “We’re looking like a good defensive team, with chemistry. We’ll just see how it goes toward the season.”

[email protected]

=========================

MISSION HIGH’S PROGNOSIS

The Eagles are looking for a bounce back to mirror their resurgent 2012. But with a new offense and a ton of turnover on defense, 2015 could be another rough season.

Projected 2015 Record: 4-6

TENURE

Coach: Mario Pena

Year at School: Seventh

Record at Mission High: 32-30

=========================

Check out more stories from The Monitor’s 16-day Two-A-Day Tour:

Weslaco East

Roma

La Joya High

Weslaco High

PSJA North

Grulla

La Villa

Monte Alto

Valley View

Hidalgo

McAllen Rowe

La Joya Palmview

PSJA Southwest

BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — As McAllen Rowe was inching toward forcing a third set, McAllen High junior Julia Monday was intent on putting the Lady Warriors away.

With the second set tied at 26, Monday stepped up and delivered a pair of thundering kills, lifting McAllen High to a sweep that secured the Lady Bulldogs their first Poundfest Tournament Title since 2007 on Saturday at McAllen High.

“I was just determined to get a point for my team, and just to have a team win,” Monday said. “We haven’t won this tournament in a couple years, so it was a nice win.”

Doing so required dethroning the defending tournament champ and coming through in a match that had all the intensity of a district match between the two rivals.

When Carter Helmcamp smacked an ace to seal the first set 25-21, it marked just the second time a team had led by more than 3 points. The opening set featured 10 ties, all the way up to 21-all.

“The girls, they just work together really well,” McAllen High coach Paula Dodge said. “They didn’t get flustered. They stayed confident, and just kept pushing points. They’re playing with a lot of confidence and playing together.”

Rowe looked poised to bounce back in the second set behind the play of reigning All-Valley Player of the Year Mayda Garcia. Although Dodge said McHi made an effort to keep the ball away from Garcia whenever possible, she still managed about 10 kills in the frame.

The Lady Warriors jumped out to an 11-6 lead before the Lady Bulldogs came back to knot the set at 12. The two sides traded points from there, with ties at 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25 and 26 before Monday’s two kills finished things off.

“We set a goal, and we met the goal,” Monday said. “I’m proud of everyone. Everyone did their job.”

Rowe finished in second place, and McAllen Memorial took third by topping Laredo Alexander 25-23, 25-23 just prior to Saturday’s final. Once again, the three McAllen teams look like the class of a competitive District 30-6A.

“It’s going to be a tough season,” Monday said. “We’re going to have to work. We’re not done. This is just the beginning.”

Rowe and McHi split their district meetings in 2014, though the Lady Bulldogs came away with the district title, going 11-1. Rowe finished second at 10-2, while Memorial was third at 9-3.

McAllen High also ended the year with the best playoff run of the three, advancing to the Sweet 16. Rowe was knocked out in the regional quarterfinals, while Memorial lost in the area round.

“This year, we’re trying to make it to the state tournament,” junior Sydney Pemelton said. “Our practices were more rigorous, so that’s helping us improve a lot.”

The win capped a run of nine matches in three days — a stretch Monday and Dodge both admitted had the team feeling a little fatigued.

McAllen High topped Edinburg Economedes, Weslaco High and Brownsville Lopez on Thursday before taking down Sharyland High, Edinburg North and Brownsville Veterans on Friday. In bracket play, McHi beat Brownsville Hanna and Laredo Alexander to set up the final against Rowe. Through it all, the Lady Bulldogs never dropped a set.

“We’ve only had two weeks of working out and conditioning, but this helps us,” Dodge said. “We can see a big difference in play from Thursday to today.”

[email protected]

BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

Mission Veterans won three consecutive matches to take the silver bracket title on Saturday at the 2015 Adidas Texas Volleyball Invitational in Pearland.

Vets defeated college Park 25-22, 25-22 in the final after getting by Friendswood 26-24, 25-23 and Ursuline Academy 25-20, 25-22.

By taking the silver bracket title, Veterans finishes 33rd out of the 88-team field.

“We didn’t have height, but we played with our hearts and stuck together as a team,” coach Diana Lerma said in a text message.

The Lady Patriots went 2-1 in pool play, beating St. Stephens and Atascocita but losing to Clear Creek. That put Memorial in a gold bracket play-in game, which Vets lost to all Saints Episcopal 25-20, 19-25, 25-23.

Lerma said the Patriots played solid defense and were called the “Cinderella Team” of the tournament by many of the fans in attendance.

Juan Diego Academy also had a strong weekend, winning seven matches in a two-day span to claim the Zapata Tournament title. In the final, Juan Diego Academy defeated Laredo LBJ 25-17, 19-25, 20-25, 28-26, 17-15.

2015 Adidas Texas Volleyball Invitational

Thursday, Aug. 13

Pool Play

Mission Veterans Memorial def. San Antonio St. Stephens 25-15, 25-16

Clear Creek def. Mission Veterans Memorial 28-26, 25-17

Mission Veterans Memorial beat Atascocita 25-21, 25-12

Friday, Aug. 14

Gold Bracket Play-In Game

All Saints Episcopal def. Mission Veterans Memorial 25-20, 19-25, 25-23

Silver Bracket

Mission Veterans Memorial def. Ursuline Academy 25-20, 25-22

Saturday, Aug. 15

Silver Bracket

Semifinal: Mission Veterans Memorial def. Friendswood 26-24, 25-23

Final: Mission Veterans Memorial def. College Park 25-22, 25-22

Zapata Tournament

Friday, Aug. 14

Juan Diego Academy def. Zapata 21-25, 25-15, 15-12

Juan Diego Academy def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-8, 26-24

Juan Diego Academy def. Monte Alto 25-16, 25-22

Juan Diego Academy def. Hebronville 25-16, 25-14

Saturday, Aug. 15

Juan Diego Academy def. Santa Rosa 25-10, 25-15

Juan Diego Acadmey def. Crystal City 25-14, 25-18

Championship Match: Juan Diego Academy def. Laredo LBJ 25-17, 19-25, 20-25, 28-26, 17-15

McAllen High Poundfest Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 13

Pool Play

Matches begin at 9 a.m.

Pool 1

At McAllen High, Court 1

McAllen High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-7, 25-12

Weslaco High def. Brownsville Lopez 25-17, 25-10

McAllen High def. Weslaco High 25-7, 25-15

Edinburg Economedes def. Brownsville Lopez 25-19, 25-14

Edinburg Economedes def. Weslaco High 25-20, 28-26

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

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Porter 25-13, 25-18

Sharyland High def. La Feria 25-13, 25-18

Los Fresnos def. Sharyland High 25-23, 25-22

Brownsville Porter def. La Feria 25-22, 22-25, 15-7

Sharyland High def. Brownsville Porter 25-20, 25-22

Los Fresnos def. La Feria 25-14, 25-21

Pool 3

At Travis Middle School, Court 1

McAllen Rowe def. Weslaco East 25-19, 25-9

PSJA Memorial def. Brownsville Rivera 25-20, 25-17

McAllen Rowe def. PSJA Memorial 25-8, 25-10

Brownsville Rivera def. Weslaco East 25-22, 25-13

PSJA Memorial def. Weslaco East 25-20, 25-22

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Rivera 25-11, 26-24

Pool 4

At McAllen Memorial, Court 1

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

Edinburg Vela def. PSJA High 25-27, 26-24, 15-11

McAllen Memorial def. PSJA High 25-12, 25-13

Brownsville Hanna def. Edinburg Vela 25-22, 19-25, 15-9

Brownsville Hanna def. PSJA High 25-22, 25-13

McAllen Memorial def. Edinburg Vela 25-21, 23-25, 15-9

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Brownsville Veterans def. PSJA North 25-19, 25-12

Laredo Alexander def. Port Isabel 25-8, 25-2

Brownsville Veterans def. Port Isabel 25-10, 25-13

Laredo Alexander def. PSJA North 25-14, 25-9

PSJA North def. Port Isabel 26-24, 25-13

Laredo Alexander def. Brownsville Veterans 25-12, 25-21

Pool 6

At Travis Middle School, Court 2

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Pace 25-14, 25-18

McAllen High JV def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-18, 25-16

Edinburg North def. McAllen High JV 25-17, 25-16

Laredo Cigarroa def. Brownsville Pace 25-23, 25-21

McAllen High JV def. Brownsville Pace 25-22, 25-18

Edinburg North def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-12, 25-9

Friday, Aug. 14

Matches begin at 9 a.m.

Pool 1

At McAllen High, Court 1

McAllen High def. Sharyland High 25-20, 25-16

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Veterans 17-25, 25-22, 15-10

McAllen High def. Edinburg North 25-18, 25-14

Sharyland High def. Brownsville Veterans 25-23, 25-23

Edinburg North def. Sharyland High 25-15, 25-19

McAllen High def. Brownsville Veterans 25-16, 25-15

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Los Fresnos def. PSJA Memorial 25-11, 25-12

Laredo Alexander def. Brownsville Hanna 25-23, 25-23

Los Fresnos def. Laredo Alexander 11-25, 25-22, 15-8

Brownsville Hanna def. PSJA Memorial 25-27, 25-18, 17-15

Laredo Alexander def. PSJA Memorial 25-17, 25-15

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 25-17, 25-17

Pool 3

At Morris Middle School, Court 1

Brownsville Rivera def. Brownsville Lopez 25-6, 25-17

Laredo Cigarroa def. PSJA North 25-13, 23-25, 15-13

Brownsville Rivera def. PSJA North 25-12, 22-25, 16-14

Laredo Cigarroa def. Brownsville Lopez 25-18, 25-22

Brownsville Lopez def. PSJA North 25-21, 19-25, 15-4

Brownsville Rivera def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-21, 25-23

Pool 4

At McAllen Memorial, Court 1

McAllen Memorial def. McAllen High JV 25-15, 25-18

McAllen Rowe def. Edinburg Economedes 25-10, 25-9

McAllen Rowe def. McAllen Memorial 25-21, 18-25, 15-7

McAllen High JV def. Edinburg Economedes 25-21, 21-25, 15-13

McAllen Rowe def. McAllen High JV 25-15, 25-11

McAllen Memorial def. Edinburg Economedes 25-12, 25-10

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Edinburg Vela def. Port Isabel 25-12, 25-7

La Feria def. Weslaco High 25-22, 25-23

Edinburg Vela def. Weslaco High 25-10, 25-16

La Feria def. Port Isabel 25-17, 25-9

Port Isabel def. Weslaco High 10-25, 28-26, 15-13

Edinburg Vela def. La Feria 25-15, 25-11

Pool 6

At Morris Middle School, Court 2

PSJA High def. Brownsville Pace 25-21, 25-22

Weslaco East def. Brownsville Porter 25-21, 23-25, 15-9

Brownsville Pace def. Brownsville Porter 25-23, 14-25, 18-16

PSJA High def. Weslaco East 25-22, 25-22

PSJA High def. Brownsville Porter 25-16, 25-9

Weslaco East def. Brownsville Pace 25-21, 19-25, 15-12

Saturday, Aug. 15

Bracket Play

Gold Bracket

At McAllen High

Court 1

Game 1, McAllen High def. Brownsville Hanna 25-19, 25-13

Game 3, McAllen Memorial def. Los Fresnos 27-25, 23-25, 15-11

Game 5, Brownsville Hanna def. Edinburg North 26-24, 25-22

Game 7, Los Fresnos def. Sharyland High 25-14, 25-15

Game 9, Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 25-14, 21-25, 15-13

Game 11, Championship Match, McAllen High def. McAllen Rowe 25-21, 28-26

Court 2

Game 2, Laredo Alexander def. Edinburg North 25-18, 25-22

Game 4, McAllen Rowe def. Sharyland High 25-18, 25-20

Game 6, McAllen High def. Laredo Alexander 25-18, 25-9

Game 8, McAllen Rowe def. McAllen Memorial 25-15, 25-16

Game 10, Third Place Match, McAllen Memorial def. Laredo Alexander 25-23, 25-23

Silver Bracket

At McAllen Memorial

Court 1

Game 1, McAllen High JV def. La Feria 25-14, 25-9

Game 3, Brownsville Rivera def. Edinburg Economedes 25-14, 25-17

Game 7, PSJA Memorial def. Edinburg Economedes 25-17, 25-13

Game 9, Brownsville Veterans def. PSJA Memorial 25-20, 25-19

Game 11, Championship Game, Edinburg Vela def. PSJA High 25-16, 25-23

Court 2

Game 2, Edinburg Vela def. Brownsville Vets 25-19, 25-22

Game 4, PSJA High vs. PSJA Memorial 18-25, 25-12, 15-9

Game 6, Edinburg Vela def. McAllen High JV 25-21, 25-19

Game 8, PSJA High def. Brownsville Rivera 26-24, 16-25, 15-12

Game 10, Third Place Match, McAllen High JV def. Brownsville Rivera 26-25, 19-25, 15-11

Bronze Bracket

At Travis Middle School

Court 1

Game 1, Laredo Cigarroa def. Brownsville Lopez, 25-12, 25-21

Game 3, PSJA North def. Brownsville Porter 22-25, 25-16, 15-11

Game 5, Port Isabel def. Brownsville Lopez 12-25, 26-24, 15-12

Game 7, Brownsville Porter def. Weslaco East 24-26, 25-18, 17-15

Game 9, Brownsville Porter def. Port Isabel 25-16, 28-26

Game 11, Championship Match, Weslaco High def. Brownsville Pace

Court 2

Game 2, Brownsville Pace def. Port Isabel 25-16, 25-13

Game 4, Weslaco def. Weslaco East 25-19, 25-15

Game 6, Brownsville Pace def. Laredo Cigarroa, 25-16, 25-20

Game 8, Weslaco def. PSJA North 25-19, 22-25, 20-19

Game 10, Third Place Match, Laredo Cigarroa def. PSJA North 30-28, 25-17

Donna ISD Volleyball Tournament

Friday, Aug. 14

Pool Play

Matches begin at 10 a.m.

Pool A

At Donna High, Court 1

Donna High def. Valley View 25-23, 25-20

Harlingen High def. Lyford 25-8, 25-14

Donna High def. Harlingen High 25-18, 25-13

Valley View def. Lyford 25-23, 25-18

Donna High def. Lyford 25-3, 25-13

Harlingen High def. Valley View 25-9, 25-17

Pool B

At Donna High, Court 2

Edcouch-Elsa def. Roma 25-6, 25-10

Laredo Nixon def. Rio Hondo 25-8, 25-8

Edcouch-Elsa def. Laredo Nixon 25-20, 25-27, 15-13

Roma def. Rio Hondo 25-17, 25-10

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Rio Hondo 25-5, 25-3

Laredo Nixon def. Roma 25-17, 25-17

Pool C

At Donna North, Court 1

Donna North def. La Joya High 20-25, 25-7, 15-12

Edinburg High def. Raymondville 25-6, 25-8

Edinburg High def. Donna North 25-12, 25-20

La Joya High def. Raymondville 25-16, 14-25, 20-19

Donna North def. Raymondville 25-15, 25-21

Edinburg High def. La Joya High 25-12, 25-8

Pool D

At Donna North, Court 2

Mercedes def. Rio Grande City 25-16, 25-17

Harlingen South def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-10

Harlingen South def. Mercedes 25-23, 25-15

Rio Grande City def. 25-6, 18-25, 15-10

Mercedes def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-14

Harlingen South def. Rio Grande City 25-19, 25-15

Saturday, Aug. 15

Single Elimination

Gold Bracket

At Donna High, Court 1

G1: Donna High def. Mercedes 25-19, 25-15

G2: Laredo Nixon def. Edinburg High 24-26, 25-15, 15-12

G3: Edcouch-Elsa def. Harlingen High 25-23, 11-25, 15-11

G4: Harlingen South def. Donna North 25-23, 23-25, 15-11

G5: Donna High def. laredo Nixon 25-8, 19-25, 15-10

G6: Edcouch-Elsa def. Harlingen South 25-20, 25-15

G7: Championship Match: Donna High def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-20, 25-21

Silver Bracket

At Donna High, Court 2

G1: Valley View def. Hidalgo 25-9, 25-17

G2: La Joya High def. Rio Hondo 26-24, 25-21

G3: Roma def. Lyford 25-17, 25-14

G4: Raymondville def. Rio Grande City 25-18, 25-20

G5: Valley View def. La Joya High 25-19, 25-20

G6: Roma def. Raymondville 25-23, 25-20

G7: Roma def. Valley View 25-22, 26-24

Tournament MVP

Yvette Tamez, Donna High

All-Tournament Team

Dezi Marmolejo, Edinburg High

Addison Dickey, Harlingen High

I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North

Karina Martinez, Laredo Nixon

Christina Montez, Harlingen South

Alejandra Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa

Saturday, Aug. 15

Non-District

San Perlita def. Progreso 25-15, 25-17, 20-25, 17-25, 17-15

Progreso at La Villa, not reported

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Non-District

McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg North vs. Los Fresnos at Los Fresnos, 11 a.m.

Grulla at Monte Alto, 6 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at Brownsville Hanna, 6 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at Mission Veterans, 6 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Harlingen South, 6 p.m.

Mission Juan Diego Academy at Brownsville Porter, 6 p.m.

Frontier Academy at San Perlita, 6:30 p.m.

La Feria at Mercedes, 6:30 p.m.

Sharyland High at Port Isabel, 6:30 p.m.

San Benito at Edinburg Vela, 6:30 p.m.

Rio Hondo at PSJA High, 6:30 p.m.

PSJA Memorial at Donna High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m.

Rio Grande City at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Monte Alto at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Laredo LBJ at Roma, 7 p.m.

McAllen High at Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m.

Donna North at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Mission High at Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at La Joya High, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

Valley View at Weslaco East, 7 p.m.

La Feria at Edinburg IDEA Academy, 7 p.m.

Hidalgo at PSJA North, 7 p.m.

Lyford at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m.

BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

DONNA — Last season, opponents got used to seeing Donna High’s Yvette Tamez dominate the middle of the volleyball court.

While they can expect to see more of the same in 2015, Tamez has been working to add other facets to her game, too. Already a strong hitter and blocker, Tamez has expanded her abilities to include passing and even setting.

“I’ve just really worked a lot on controlling and being more consistent in everything,” Tamez said.

With Tamez returning to join libero Kara Yanez and middle blocker Sarah Gonzalez as the team’s anchors, Donna High is looking to build off last year’s playoff appearance — the team’s first since 2005.

Now a senior in her third year on varsity, Tamez is trying to raise her level of play and bring along some of her younger teammates, as well.

“She’s looking to play at the next level, so she’s stepped up her game,” coach Cindy Viesca said. “She’ll be a force this year.”

Although Donna High is looking to replace District 32-5A MVP Marina Martinez, Tamez said her role isn’t changing much from last season. Martinez led the team with 442 kills, Tamez was second with 390, and no other player had more than 109.

“I just want to follow in her footsteps, because she really motivated me a lot last year,” Tamez said. “Just follow in her footsteps and do what she did.”

Viesca said the biggest improvement she’s seen in Tamez is confidence, something she “lacked a little bit” last year. Along with that, Viesca has seen Tamez become more team oriented.

Tamez said she’s been pushing the newcomers by telling them how rewarding it was to reach the playoffs a season ago. Yanez said Tamez plays a huge role in keeping team morale high.

“She picks everybody up,” Yanez said. “She’s the one who is jolly, and she’s good with us. She’ll pull us aside if we’re having a bad day, and she’ll talk to us. She’ll bring us back up.”

Tamez has been strong as a defender for Donna, but she quickly defers credit to Sarah Gonzalez, a senior who led the team in blocks last season. Viesca said that the middle blocker duo is Donna’s biggest asset.

Gonzalez is 5-foot-10 and had 167 blocks last season, while the 6-foot Tamez had 128.

“It’s so much help for me,” Yanez said. “I know I can trust anybody out there. I can trust Yvette, Sarah, I can trust anybody in the front row. I know I don’t have to do all of the work.”

With Yanez racking up digs whenever the ball gets by Donna’s huge block, Viesca said the defense will probably be the strength of the team. Donna just needs its young outside hitters to get up to speed, and to have sophomore setter Adrianna Martinez grow accustomed to running the offense on her own in a 5-1 setup.

Even with new pieces at an early stage of the season, Yanez said Donna’s chemistry is already strong.

“We act like sisters on the court,” Yanez said. “This year, compared to last year, I think it’s more of a family. We’ve come together more this year than we did last year.”

[email protected]

Friday, Aug. 14

Non-District

Juan Diego Academy def. Monte Alto 25-16, 25-22

Juan Diego Academy def. Hebronville 25-16, 25-14

Saturday, Aug. 15

Non-District

San Perlita at Progreso, 10 a.m.

Progreso at La Villa, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Non-District

McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg North vs. Los Fresnos at Los Fresnos, 11 a.m.

Grulla at Monte Alto, 6 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at Brownsville Hanna, 6 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at Mission Veterans, 6 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Harlingen South, 6 p.m.

Mission Juan Diego Academy at Brownsville Porter, 6 p.m.

Frontier Academy at San Perlita, 6:30 p.m.

La Feria at Mercedes, 6:30 p.m.

Sharyland High at Port Isabel, 6:30 p.m.

San Benito at Edinburg Vela, 6:30 p.m.

Rio Hondo at PSJA High, 6:30 p.m.

PSJA Memorial at Donna High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m.

Rio Grande City at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Monte Alto at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Laredo LBJ at Roma, 7 p.m.

McAllen High at Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m.

Donna North at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Mission High at Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at La Joya High, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

Valley View at Weslaco East, 7 p.m.

La Feria at Edinburg IDEA Academy, 7 p.m.

Hidalgo at PSJA North, 7 p.m.

Lyford at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m.

McAllen High Poundfest Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 13

Pool Play

Matches begin at 9 a.m.

Pool 1

At McAllen High, Court 1

McAllen High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-7, 25-12

Weslaco High def. Brownsville Lopez 25-17, 25-10

McAllen High def. Weslaco High 25-7, 25-15

Edinburg Economedes def. Brownsville Lopez 25-19, 25-14

Edinburg Economedes def. Weslaco High 25-20, 28-26

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

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Porter 25-13, 25-18

Sharyland High def. La Feria 25-13, 25-18

Los Fresnos def. Sharyland High 25-23, 25-22

Brownsville Porter def. La Feria 25-22, 22-25, 15-7

Sharyland High def. Brownsville Porter 25-20, 25-22

Los Fresnos def. La Feria 25-14, 25-21

Pool 3

At Travis Middle School, Court 1

McAllen Rowe def. Weslaco East 25-19, 25-9

PSJA Memorial def. Brownsville Rivera 25-20, 25-17

McAllen Rowe def. PSJA Memorial 25-8, 25-10

Brownsville Rivera def. Weslaco East 25-22, 25-13

PSJA Memorial def. Weslaco East 25-20, 25-22

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Rivera 25-11, 26-24

Pool 4

At McAllen Memorial, Court 1

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

Edinburg Vela def. PSJA High 25-27, 26-24, 15-11

McAllen Memorial def. PSJA High 25-12, 25-13

Brownsville Hanna def. Edinburg Vela 25-22, 19-25, 15-9

Brownsville Hanna def. PSJA High 25-22, 25-13

McAllen Memorial def. Edinburg Vela 25-21, 23-25, 15-9

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Brownsville Veterans def. PSJA North 25-19, 25-12

Laredo Alexander def. Port Isabel 25-8, 25-2

Brownsville Veterans def. Port Isabel 25-10, 25-13

Laredo Alexander def. PSJA North 25-14, 25-9

PSJA North def. Port Isabel 26-24, 25-13

Laredo Alexander def. Brownsville Veterans 25-12, 25-21

Pool 6

At Travis Middle School, Court 2

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Pace 25-14, 25-18

McAllen High JV def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-18, 25-16

Edinburg North def. McAllen High JV 25-17, 25-16

Laredo Cigarroa def. Brownsville Pace 25-23, 25-21

McAllen High JV def. Brownsville Pace 25-22, 25-18

Edinburg North def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-12, 25-9

Friday, Aug. 14

Matches begin at 9 a.m.

Pool 1

At McAllen High, Court 1

McAllen High def. Sharyland High 25-20, 25-16

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Veterans 17-25, 25-22, 15-10

McAllen High def. Edinburg North 25-18, 25-14

Sharyland High def. Brownsville Veterans 25-23, 25-23

Edinburg North def. Sharyland High 25-15, 25-19

McAllen High def. Brownsville Veterans 25-16, 25-15

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Los Fresnos def. PSJA Memorial 25-11, 25-12

Laredo Alexander def. Brownsville Hanna 25-23, 25-23

Los Fresnos def. Laredo Alexander 11-25, 25-22, 15-8

Brownsville Hanna def. PSJA Memorial 25-27, 25-18, 17-15

Laredo Alexander def. PSJA Memorial 25-17, 25-15

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 25-17, 25-17

Pool 3

At Morris Middle School, Court 1

Brownsville Rivera def. Brownsville Lopez 25-6, 25-17

Laredo Cigarroa def. PSJA North 25-13, 23-25, 15-13

Brownsville Rivera def. PSJA North 25-12, 22-25, 16-14

Laredo Cigarroa def. Brownsville Lopez 25-18, 25-22

Brownsville Lopez def. PSJA North 25-21, 19-25, 15-4

Brownsville Rivera def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-21, 25-23

Pool 4

At McAllen Memorial, Court 1

McAllen Memorial def. McAllen High JV 25-15, 25-18

McAllen Rowe def. Edinburg Economedes 25-10, 25-9

McAllen Rowe def. McAllen Memorial 25-21, 18-25, 15-7

McAllen High JV def. Edinburg Economedes 25-21, 21-25, 15-13

McAllen Rowe def. McAllen High JV 25-15, 25-11

McAllen Memorial def. Edinburg Economedes 25-12, 25-10

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Edinburg Vela def. Port Isabel 25-12, 25-7

La Feria def. Weslaco High 25-22, 25-23

Edinburg Vela def. Weslaco High 25-10, 25-16

La Feria def. Port Isabel 25-17, 25-9

Port Isabel def. Weslaco High 10-25, 28-26, 15-13

Edinburg Vela def. La Feria 25-15, 25-11

Pool 6

At Morris Middle School, Court 2

PSJA High def. Brownsville Pace 25-21, 25-22

Weslaco East def. Brownsville Porter 25-21, 23-25, 15-9

Brownsville Pace def. Brownsville Porter 25-23, 14-25, 18-16

PSJA High def. Weslaco East 25-22, 25-22

PSJA High def. Brownsville Porter 25-16, 25-9

Weslaco East def. Brownsville Pace 25-21, 19-25, 15-12

Saturday, Aug. 15

Bracket Play

Gold Bracket

At McAllen High

Court 1

Game 1: McAllen High vs. Brownsville Hanna, 9 a.m.

Game 3, Los Fresnos vs. McAllen Memorial, 10 a.m.

Game 5, Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 11 a.m.

Game 7, Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser, noon

Game 9, Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner, 1 p.m.

Game 11, Game 6 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 2 p.m.

Court 2

Game 2, Laredo Alexander vs. Edinburg North, 9 a.m.

Game 4, Sharyland High vs. Rowe, 10 a.m.

Game 6, Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 11 a.m.

Game 8, Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner, noon

Game 10, Game 6 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser, 1 p.m.

Silver Bracket

At McAllen Memorial

Court 1

Game 1, McAllen High JV vs. La Feria, 9 a.m.

Game 3, Edinburg Economedes vs. Brownsville Rivera, 10 a.m.

Game 5, Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 11 a.m.

Game 7, Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser, noon

Game 9, Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner, 1 p.m.

Game 11, Game 6 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, 2 p.m.

Court 2

Game 2, Edinburg Vela vs. Brownsville Vets, 9 a.m.

Game 4, PSJA High vs. PSJA Memorial, 10 a.m.

Game 6, Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 11 a.m.

Game 8, Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner, noon

Game 10, Game 6 Loser vs. Game 7 Loser, 1 p.m.

Bronze Bracket

At Travis Middle School

Court 1

Game 1, Laredo Cigarroa vs. Brownsville Lopez, 9 a.m.

Game 3, PSJA North vs. Brownsville Porter, 10 a.m.

Game 5, Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 11 a.m.

Game 7, Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, noon

Game 9, Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7, 1 p.m.

Game 11, Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 8, 2 p.m.

Court 2

Game 2, Port Isabel vs. Brownsville Pace, 9 a.m.

Game 4, Weslaco East vs. Weslaco, 10 a.m.

Game 6, Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 11 a.m.

Game 8, Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, noon

Game 10, Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, 1 p.m.

Donna ISD Volleyball Tournament

Friday, Aug. 14

Pool Play

Matches begin at 10 a.m.

Pool A

At Donna High, Court 1

Donna High def. Valley View 25-23, 25-20

Harlingen High def. Lyford 25-8, 25-14

Donna High def. Harlingen High 25-18, 25-13

Valley View def. Lyford 25-23, 25-18

Donna High def. Lyford 25-3, 25-13

Harlingen High def. Valley View 25-9, 25-17

Pool B

At Donna High, Court 2

Edcouch-Elsa def. Roma 25-6, 25-10

Laredo Nixon def. Rio Hondo 25-8, 25-8

Edcouch-Elsa def. Laredo Nixon 25-20, 25-27, 15-13

Roma def. Rio Hondo 25-17, 25-10

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Rio Hondo 25-5, 25-3

Laredo Nixon def. Roma 25-17, 25-17

Pool C

At Donna North, Court 1

Donna North def. La Joya High 20-25, 25-7, 15-12

Edinburg High def. Raymondville 25-6, 25-8

Edinburg High def. Donna North 25-12, 25-20

La Joya High def. Raymondville 25-16, 14-25, 20-19

Donna North def. Raymondville 25-15, 25-21

Edinburg High def. La Joya High 25-12, 25-8

Pool D

At Donna North, Court 2

Mercedes def. Rio Grande City 25-16, 25-17

Harlingen South def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-10

Harlingen South def. Mercedes 25-23, 25-15

Rio Grande City def. 25-6, 18-25, 15-10

Mercedes def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-14

Harlingen South def. Rio Grande City 25-19, 25-15

Saturday, Aug. 15

Single Elimination

Gold Bracket

At Donna High, Court 1

G1: Donna High vs. Mercedes, 9 a.m.

G2: Edinburg High vs. Laredo Nixon, 10 a.m.

G3: Edcouch-Elsa vs. Harlingen, 11 a.m.

G4: Harlingen South vs. Donna North, noon

G5: Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 1 p.m.

G6: Winner G3 vs. Winner G4, 2 p.m.

G7: Winner G5 vs. Winner G6, 3 p.m.

Silver Bracket

At Donna High, Court 2

G1: Valley View vs. Hidalgo, 9 a.m.

G2: La Joya High vs. Rio Hondo, 10 a.m.

G3: Roma vs. Lyford, 11 a.m.

G4: Rio Grande City vs. Raymondville, noon

G5: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 1 p.m.

G6: G3 winner vs. G4 winner, 2 p.m.

G7: G5 winner vs. G6 winner, 3 p.m.

MASTER VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Aug. 11

Non-District

La Feria at Santa Rosa, 11 a.m.

McAllen Rowe vs. Edcouch-Elsa vs. Laredo United at Edcouch-Elsa, 11 a.m.

San Perlita vs. Rio Hondo vs. Lyford at Rio Hondo, Noon

Roma at Weslaco East, noon

Los Fresnos at Sharyland High, noon

Rio Grande City at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, noon

Premont at Monte Alto, 1 p.m.

Progreso at PSJA Southwest, 2 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at PSJA Memorial, 2:30 p.m.

McAllen High at Laredo Alexander, 3 p.m.

Edinburg Vela vs. Donna High vs. Weslaco High at Donna High, 3 p.m.

Edinburg High vs. Harlingen South vs. Mercedes at Mercedes, 3 p.m.

Valley View at La Joya Palmview, 4 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Mission Veterans, 6 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at La Feria, 6 p.m.

PSJA North at Donna North, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg North at Mission High, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m.

La Joya High at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 12

Non-District

Santa Rosa vs. Grulla vs. Santa Maria at Grulla, 10 a.m.

Aug. 13-15

McAllen High Poundfest Tournament

Donna Tournament

Zapata Tournament

Texas Volleyball Invitational in Pearland

Corpus Varsity Tournament in Corpus Christi

Friday, Aug. 14

Non-District

Juan Diego Academy def. Monte Alto 25-16, 25-22

Juan Diego Academy def. Hebronville 25-16, 25-14

Saturday, Aug. 15

Non-District

San Perlita at Progreso, 10 a.m.

Progreso at La Villa, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Non-District

McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg North vs. Los Fresnos at Los Fresnos, 11 a.m.

Grulla at Monte Alto, 6 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at Brownsville Hanna, 6 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at Mission Veterans, 6 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Harlingen South, 6 p.m.

Mission Juan Diego Academy at Brownsville Porter, 6 p.m.

Frontier Academy at San Perlita, 6:30 p.m.

La Feria at Mercedes, 6:30 p.m.

Sharyland High at Port Isabel, 6:30 p.m.

San Benito at Edinburg Vela, 6:30 p.m.

Rio Hondo at PSJA High, 6:30 p.m.

PSJA Memorial at Donna High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m.

Rio Grande City at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Monte Alto at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Laredo LBJ at Roma, 7 p.m.

McAllen High at Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m.

Donna North at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Mission High at Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at La Joya High, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

Valley View at Weslaco East, 7 p.m.

La Feria at Edinburg IDEA Academy, 7 p.m.

Hidalgo at PSJA North, 7 p.m.

Lyford at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 20-22

North East Invitatoinal Tournament at San Antonio

Mission Veterans Tournament

Port Isabel Tournament

Floresville Varsity Tournament

Saturday, Aug. 22

San Perlita at Santa Rosa, 11 a.m.

La Feria vs. Rio Hondo, TBA

Tuesday, Aug. 25

Non-District

Monte Alto at San Perlita, 6 p.m.

Edinburg IDEA Quest at Raymondville, 6 p.m.

Mission Veterans at La Joya High, 6 p.m.

Donna North at La Feria, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at PSJA Memorial, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at Brownsville Lopez, 6:30 p.m.

PSJA High at McAllen High, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg High at Sharyland High, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera at McAllen Rowe, 7 p.m.

Progreso at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

Roma at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Mercedes at La Joya Palmview, 7 p.m.

Grulla at La Sara, 7 p.m.

Mission High at Valley View, 7 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Donna High at Harlingen High, 7 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Hanna at Edinburg North, 7 p.m.

Santa Rosa at La Feria, 7 p.m.

Rio Hondo at PSJA North, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at Port Isabel, 7 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 7 p.m.

Progreso at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

Aug. 27-29

Hidalgo Tournament

Sharyland Tournament

Medical Academy Tournament

Laredo United Tournament

Alice Varsity Tournament

Friday, Aug. 28

Non-District

Harlingen South at Laredo United, 9 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 29

Non-District

La Feria at Lyford, 7 p.m.

Harlingen High at Port Isabel, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

Non-District

McAllen Rowe at Sharyland High, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at La Joya High, 6:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Edinburg Vela, 6:30 p.m.

PSJA Memorial at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

San Perlita at Raymondville, 7 p.m.

La Feria at Lyford, 7 p.m.

Rio Grande City at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Roma at Mission High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at McAllen High, 7 p.m.

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at Mercedes, 7 p.m.

Valley View at Donna North, 7 p.m.

Hidalgo at La Joya Palmview, 7 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Grulla, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Los Fresnos, 7 p.m.

Harlingen South at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Hanna at Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

Weslaco East at Donna High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at Edinburg High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera at Edinburg North, 7 p.m.

San Benito at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

Port Isabel at Monte Alto, 7 p.m.

San Perlita at Raymondville, 7 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa at Harlingen High, 7 p.m.

District 31-6A

PSJA North at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Sept. 4-5

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, Sept. 8

Non-District

Los Fresnos vs. PSJA North vs. Hidalgo at Hidalgo, 5:30 p.m.

Port Isabel at Brownsville Porter, 6 p.m.

San Perlita at Grulla, 6 p.m.

Lasara at Raymondville, 6 p.m.

Laredo Alexander at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg North at La Feria, 6:30 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m.

Harlingen South at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Lyford at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Roma, 7 p.m.

San Benito at McAllen High, 7 p.m.

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at Valley View, 7 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at Donna North, 7 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at Weslaco East, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Brownsville Hanna, 7 p.m.

Mission High at Donna High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera at Mercedes, 7 p.m.

La Joya High at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at Laredo United South, 7 p.m.

Weslaco High at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m.

Rio Grande City at Harlingen High, 7 p.m.

Med Tech at La Villa, 7 p.m.

PSJA High at Brownsville Veterans, 7 p.m.

Monte Alto at San Isidro, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 11

Non-District

San Perlita at Lyford, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12

Non-District

Monte Alto at Santa Maria, 11 a.m.

Edinburg High at La Joya Palmview, noon

Idea at La Feria, noon

Laredo Alexander at Mission Veterans, 3 p.m.

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, noon

Mission High at McAllen High, noon

La Joya High at McAllen Memorial, noon

District 31-6A

Weslaco High at PSJA North, noon

Edinburg North at Weslaco East, noon

PSJA Memorial at Edinburg Economedes, 3 p.m.

District 31-5A

Roma at Rio Grande City, noon

Sharyland High at Edinburg Vela, noon

Sharyland Pioneer at Valley View, noon

District 32-5A

Brownsville Porter at Donna North, 2 p.m.

Donna High at PSJA Southwest, 2 p.m.

PSJA High at Edcouch-Elsa, 2 p.m.

Mercedes at Brownsville Pace, 3 p.m.

District 32-6A

Harlingen South at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, noon

Los Fresnos at Brownsville Lopez, noon

Brownsville Rivera at Harlingen High, noon

Brownsville Hanna at San Benito, 7 p.m.

District 32-4A

Raymondville at La Feria, 1 p.m.

Progreso at Grulla, 2 p.m.

Port Isabel at Zapata, 2 p.m.

Hidlago at Rio Hondo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Non-District

Valley View at Monte Alto, 7 p.m.

District 30-6A

McAllen Memorial at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.

McAllen High at La Joya, 6:30 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at Mission High, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

Weslaco East at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

PSJA North at Edinburg North, 7 p.m.

District 31-5A

Edinburg Vela at Roma, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.

Rio Grande City at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

District 32-5A

Donna North at Mercedes, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at Donna High, 7 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Veterans Memorial at Brownsville Rivera, 6:30 p.m.

Harlingen High at Brownsville Hanna, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Harlingen South, 6:30 p.m.

San Benito at Los Fresnos, 6:30 p.m.

District 32-4A

Grulla at La Feria, 6:30 p.m.

Hidalgo at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Zapata at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m.

Port Isabel at Rio Hondo, 6:30 p.m.

Non-District

Santa Rosa at San Perlita, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19

Non-District

La Villa at Med Tech, noon

Sharyland High at Laredo Alexander, 1 p.m.

Santa Maria at Monte Alto, 11 a.m.

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe at McAllen High, noon

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at McAllen Memorial, noon

La Joya High at La Joya Palmview, noon

District 31-6A

Edinburg North at Edinburg High, noon

PSJA Memorial at PSJA North, 3 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at Weslaco East, 3 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Hanna at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, noon

Brownsville Rivera at Brownsville Lopez, noon

Harlingen South at Los Fresnos, noon

Harlingen High vs. San Benito, noon

District 31-5A

Roma at Mission Veterans, noon

Sharyland Pioneer at Edinburg Vela, noon

Valley View at Rio Grande City, noon

District 32-5A

Donna North at Edcouch-Elsa, 2 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at PSJA Southwest, 2 p.m.

Donna High at Mercedes, 3 p.m.

PSJA High at Brownsville Pace, 3 p.m.

District 32-4A

La Feria at Hidago, 1 p.m.

Progreso at Rio Hondo, 1 p.m.

Grulla at Zapata, 2 p.m.

Raymondville at Port Isabel, 2 p.m.

Non-District

IDEA Donna at San Perlita, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

Non-District

La Villa at Juan Diego Academcy, 6 p.m.

Weslaco East at McAllen Memorial, 6:30 p.m.

San Isidro at Monte Alto, 7 p.m.

Medical Academy at San Perlita, 6 p.m.

District 30-6A

La Joya Palmview at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.

McAllen High at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 6:30 p.m.

Mission High at La Joya High, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

Edinburg High at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m.

PSJA North at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Weslaco High at Edinburg North, 7 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Lopez at Brownsville Hanna, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans Memorial at San Benito, 6 p.m.

Harlingen South at Brownsville Rivera, 6:30 p.m.

Los Fresnos at Harlingen High, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-5A

Sharyland High at Roma, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at Valley View, 7 p.m.

District 32-5A

PSJA Southwest at Donna North, 7 p.m.

Mercedes at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

Donna High at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

District 32-4A

Progreso at La Feria, 6:30 p.m.***

Grulla at Port Isabel, 7 p.m.

Zapata at Hidalgo, 7 p.m.

Raymondville at Rio Hondo, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Non-District

Juan Diego Academy at La Joya High, noon

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe at Mission High, noon

McAllen Memorial at McAllen High, noon

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at La Joya Palmview, noon

District 31-6A

PSJA Memorial at Weslaco High, noon

Edinburg Economedes at Edinburg High, 3 p.m.

Weslaco East at PSJA North, 3 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Rivera at Los Fresnos, noon

Harlingen High at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, noon

San Benito at Brownsville Lopez, noon

Brownsville Hanna at Harlingen South, noon

District 31-5A

Sharyland Pioneer at Sharyland High, noon

Valley View at Mission Veterans, noon

Rio Grande City at Edinburg Vela, noon

District 32-5A

Donna North at Brownsville Pace, 2 p.m.

PSJA High at Mercedes, 3 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at Donna High, 2 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa at PSJA Southwest, 2 p.m.

District 32-4A

Rio Hondo at La Feria, 1 p.m.

Hidalgo at Port Isabel, 1 p.m.

Zapata at Progreso, 2 p.m.

Grulla at Raymondville, 2 p.m.

District 32-3A

Monte Alto at IDEA Quest, 2:30 p.m.

District 32-2A

San Perlita at La Villa, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 29

District 30-6A

La Joya High at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.

Mission High at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 6:30 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at McAllen Memorial, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

Edinburg North at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m.

Weslaco High at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Weslaco East, 7 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Rivera at Brownsville Hanna, 6:30 p.m.

Los Fresnos at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Harlingen High, 6:30 p.m.

Harlingen South at San Benito, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-5A

Roma at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Sharyland High at Valley View, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

District 32-5A

Donna High at Donna North, 7 p.m.

Mercedes at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m.

PSJA High at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

District 32-4A

Zapata at La Feria, 6:30 p.m.

Progreso at Port Isabel, 6:30 p.m.

Raymondville at Hidalgo, 7 p.m.

Grulla at Rio Hondo, 7 p.m.

District 32-3A

Santa Rosa at Monte Alto, 7 p.m.

District 32-2A

San Perlita at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2

District 32-2A

San Isidro at San Perlita, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3

District 30-6A

McAllen High at La Joya Palmview, noon

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at La Joya High, noon

McAllen Memorial at Mission High, noon

District 31-6A

Weslaco East at Weslaco High, noon

PSJA North at Edinburg High, noon

Edinburg Economedes at Edinburg North, 3 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Veterans Memorial at Brownsville Lopez, noon

Brownsville Hanna at Los Fresnos, noon

San Benito at Brownsville Rivera, noon

Harlingen High at Harlingen South, noon

District 31-5A

Valley View at Roma, noon

Rio Grande City at Sharyland High, noon

Edinburg Vela at Mission Veterans, noon

District 32-5A

Edcouch-Elsa at Donna High, 2 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Brownsville Pace, 2 p.m.

Donna North at PSJA High, 3 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at Mercedes, 3 p.m.

District 32-4A

La Feria at Port Isabel, 1 p.m.

Raymondville at Progreso, 2 p.m.

Hidalgo at Grulla, 2 p.m.

District 32-2A

La Villa at Santa Maria, noon

Tuesday, Oct. 6

District 30-6A

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.

McAllen High at Mission High, 6:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at La Joya High, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

Edinburg Economedes at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m.

PSJA North at Weslaco High, 7 p.m.

Weslaco East at Edinburg North, 7 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Veterans Memorial at Harlingen South, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Los Fresnos, 6:30 p.m.

Harlingen High at Brownsville Rivera, 6:30 p.m.

San Benito at Brownsville Hanna, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-5A

Rio Grande City at Roma, 7 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.

Valley View at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

District 32-5A

Donna North at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at Mercedes, 7 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Donna High, 7 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

District 32-4A

La Feria at Raymondville, 7 p.m.

Grulla at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Zapata at Port Isabel, 6:30 p.m.

Rio Hondo at Hidalgo, 7 p.m.

District 32-3A

Monte Alto at IDEA Frontier, 7 p.m.

District 32-2A

La Villa at San Isidro, 7 p.m.

Lasara at San Perlita, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 9

District 32-4A

Grulla at La Feria, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Non-District

Juan Diego Academy at Edinburg Economedes, noon

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at Valley View, noon

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe at McAllen Memorial, noon

Mission High at La Joya Palmview, noon

La Joya High at McAllen High, noon

District 31-6A

Weslaco High at Edinburg High, noon

Edinburg North at PSJA North, noon

PSJA Memorial at Weslaco East, 3 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Rivera at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, noon

Harlingen South Brownsville Lopez, noon

Brownsville Hanna at Harlingen High, noon

Los Fresnos at San Benito, noon

District 31-5A

Roma at Edinburg Vela, noon

Sharyland High at Mission Veterans, noon

Sharyland Pioneer at Rio Grande City, noon

District 32-5A

Donna High at Brownsville Pace, 2 p.m.

PSJA High at PSJA Southwest, 2 p.m.

Mercedes at Donna North, 3 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at Edcouch-Elsa, 2 p.m.

District 32-4A

Rio Hondo at Port Isabel, 1 p.m.

Raymondville at Zapata, 2 p.m.

Progreso at Hidalgo, 2 p.m.

La Feria at Grulla, 2 p.m.

District 32-3A

Lyford at Monte Alto, 2:30 p.m.

District 32-2A

Lasara at La Villa, noon

Tuesday, Oct. 13

District 30-6A

McAllen High at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 6:30 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at La Joya High, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

PSJA North at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m.

Weslaco East at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Edinburg North, 7 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Veterans Memorial at Brownsville Hanna, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Brownsville Rivera, 6:30 p.m.

Los Fresnos at Harlingen South, 6:30 p.m.

Harlingen High vs. San Benito, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-5A

Mission Veterans at Roma, 7 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Valley View at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

District 32-5A

Edcouch-Elsa at Donna North, 7 p.m.

Mercedes at Donna High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

District 32-4A

Port Isabel at Raymondville, 7 p.m.

La Feria at Hidalgo, 6:30 p.m.

Rio Hondo at Progreso, 7 p.m.

Zapata at Grulla, 7 p.m.

District 32-3A

IDEA Quest at Monte Alto, 7 p.m.

District 32-2A

La Villa at San Perlita, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe at La Joya Palmview, noon

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at McAllen High, noon

La Joya High at Mission High, noon

District 31-6A

Edinburg North at Weslaco High, noon

PSJA Memorial at Edinburg High, 3 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at PSJA North, 3 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Hanna at Brownsville Lopez, noon

San Benito at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, noon

Brownsville Rivera at Harlingen South, noon

Harlingen High at Los Fresnos, noon

District 31-5A

Roma at Sharyland High, noon

Valley View at Edinburg Vela, noon

Sharyland Pioneer at Mission Veterans, 1 p.m.

District 32-5A

Donna North at PSJA Southwest, 2 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at Brownsville Pace, 2 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa at Mercedes, 3 p.m.

PSJA High at Donna High, 3 p.m.

District 32-4A

La Feria at Progreso, noon***

Port Isabel at Grulla, 2 p.m.

Hidalgo at Zapata, 2 p.m.

Rio Hondo at Raymondville, 2 p.m.

District 32-3A

Monte Alto at Santa Rosa, 2:30 p.m.

District 32-2A

Santa Maria at San Perlita, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 20

District 30-6A

Mission High at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.

McAllen High at McAllen Memorial, 6:30 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

Weslaco High at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

PSJA North at Weslaco East, 7 p.m.

District 32-6A

Los Fresnos at Brownsville Rivera, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans Memorial at Harlingen High, 6:30 p.m.

Harlingen South at Brownsville Hanna, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at San Benito, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-5A

Sharyland High at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Valley View, 7 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

District 32-5A

Brownsville Pace at Donna North, 7 p.m.

Mercedes at PSJA High, 7 p.m.

Donna High at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

District 32-4A

Port Isabel at Hidalgo, 6:30 p.m.

La Feria at Rio Hondo, 6:30 p.m.

Progreso at Zapata, 7 p.m.

Raymondville at Grulla, 7 p.m.

District 32-2A

Santa Maria at La Villa, noon

San Perlita at San Isidro, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 23

District 32-2A

San Perlita at Lasara, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24

Non-district

Edinburg Vela at McAllen High, 10 a.m.

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe at La Joya High, noon

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at Mission High, noon

La Joya Palmview at McAllen Memorial, noon

District 31-6A

Edinburg Economedes at Weslaco High, noon

Weslaco East at Edinburg High, noon

PSJA Memorial at Edinburg North, 3 p.m.

District 32-6A

Brownsville Hanna at Brownsville Rivera, noon

Brownsville Veterans Memorial at Los Fresnos, noon

Harlingen High at Brownsville Lopez, noon

San Benito at Harlingen South, noon

District 31-5A

Sharyland Pioneer at Roma, noon

Valley View at Sharyland High, noon

Rio Grande City at Mission Veterans, noon

District 32-5A

Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Pace, 2 p.m.

Donna North at Donna High, 3 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Mercedes, 3 p.m.

Brownsville Porter at PSJA High, 3 p.m.

District 32-4A

Progreso at Port Isabel, 1 p.m.

Hidalgo at Raymondville, 2 p.m.

La Feria at Zapata, 2 p.m.

Rio Hondo at Grulla, 2 p.m.

District 32-3A

IDEA Frontier at Monte Alto, 2:30 p.m.

District 32-2A

San Isidro at La Villa, noon

Tuesday, Oct. 27

District 30-6A

La Joya Palmview at McAllen High, 6:30 p.m.

La Joya High at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 6:30 p.m.

Mission High at McAllen Memorial, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

Edinburg North at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Weslaco High at Weslaco East, 7 p.m.

Edinburg High at PSJA North, 7 p.m.

District 32-6A

Los Fresnos at Brownsville Hanna, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera at San Benito, 6:30 p.m.

Harlingen South at Harlingen High, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Lopez at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 7 p.m.

District 31-5A

Roma at Valley View, 7 p.m.

Sharyland High at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Edinburg Vela, 7 p.m.

District 32-5A

PSJA High at Donna North, 7 p.m.

Mercedes at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

Donna High at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Pace at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m.

District 32-4A

Port Isabel at La Feria, 6:30 p.m.

Progreso at Raymondville, 7 p.m.

Grulla at Hidalgo, 7 p.m.

District 32-3A

Monte Alto at Lyford, 7 p.m.

District 32-2A

La Villa at Lasara, 7 p.m.

BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — A season after racking up more than 3,000 rushing yards en route to the best year in program history, La Joya Palmview isn’t ruling out the possibility of doing things a little differently.

With 1,000-yard rushers Freddy Villarreal and Jose Bernal graduated, the Lobos might lean more heavily on the passing game in 2015. While the quarterback position is still up in the air, Palmview is confident senior Damian Quintanilla will be the top target.

“He’s out to prove something,” coach Margarito Requenez said. “You can throw the ball up there and he’s going to come down with it no matter what, no matter who you put on him. We’re going to try to get him the ball as much as possible this year.”

As a junior last year, Quintanilla led Palmview with 17 catches for 216 yards — not a bad total for a team that attempted only 69 passes.

Requenez said Quintanilla’s strength is his size, calling him the biggest receiver in the district aside from McAllen Memorial’s DJ Johnson. Quintanilla continued to show his potential during Palmview’s 7-on-7 season, serving as the Lobos’ go-to guy.

That work was part of a busy summer for Quintanilla, who said he stepped up his conditioning regimen compared to previous years.

“This year I went a lot harder, just for senior year,” Quintanilla said. “This year I have a lot of expectations for myself. I didn’t wake up in the morning for nothing. I can’t wait to see how hard work pays off. I’m just waiting for the season.”

Requenez said he tailors his offense to what his team does best, and that could be good news for Quintanilla.

The Lobos return all but one player on the offensive line and have a pair of experienced quarterbacks in Andrew Puente and Jon Zieske.

Puente ran the offense last season as a sophomore, completing 21 of 45 passes for 301 yards and two scores.

“I was pretty nervous the first games, but as the season went on, it was pretty exciting,” Puente said. “Now I have one year experience as a quarterback. Now I know my reads, and I know my calls. It’s going to be a better year.”

Zieske, also a sophomore a year ago, was involved as well, taking snaps in both playoff games.

Requenez said he’s looking for a player who can call plays at the line of scrimmage, something Palmview started doing more regularly down the stretch.

“It’s going to be a good matchup until we finally decide who we’re going to go with,” Requenez said. “It’s still up in the air.”

DEFENSIVE SIDE

While Palmview’s offense returns mostly intact, the defense brings back just a couple of key pieces from a group that led the district last year by allowing 232.1 yards per game.

Senior linebacker Luis Sanchez, a utility player for Palmview a year ago, has been trying to get his new teammates up to speed.

“We’re having to fill in for some huge spots that were left open,” Sanchez said. “It’s going to be tough, because we lost a lot of players. But it’s something that’s going to happen, and we have to adjust.”

Requenez said the new group doesn’t have the size of last year’s defense, but added that the 2015 team is actually superior in speed and strength.

RETURNING PIECES

Palmview is bringing back a pair of starters in the secondary: Fabian Perez and Armando Ayala.

The Lobos are also returning two rotation players on the defensive line in Carlos Alvarez and Danny Garza. Alvarez is a bulky presence at tackle, while Garza is a quicker defensive end.

FOUNDATION SET

The Lobos finished last season 7-4-1 to mark the first winning year in Palmview’s history. Requenez thinks that success can be a building block for his program. He’s already seeing a different atmosphere in practice.

“The underclassmen, last year, they saw what it took,” Requenez said. “The hard work, the dedication, the motivation that the senior group from last year had. It made a huge difference. I think that was the key element we were lacking here. … The kids are saying that the foundation has been set.”

[email protected]

=================================

PROGNOSIS

Palmview will need a strong offense to maintain the ball-control style that led to the most successful season in program history a year ago. With many pieces back on that side of the ball, a repeat playoff appearance could be in store.

Projected 2015 Record: 6-5

TENURE

Coach: Margarito Requenez

Year at School: Second

Record at School: 8-9-1

=================================

Check out more stories from The Monitor’s 16-day Two-A-Day Tour:

Weslaco East

Roma

La Joya High

Weslaco High

PSJA North

Grulla

La Villa

Monte Alto

Valley View

Hidalgo

Donna High

McAllen Rowe

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Starting from Week 1 last season as only a sophomore, McAllen Rowe’s Joseph Moreno racked up 719 receiving yards — by far the highest total in District 30-6A.

Rowe coach Paul Reyes wasn’t surprised. Not after seeing Moreno’s speed, quickness and agility during his freshman season as a running back.

Likewise, it was no shocker when former starting quarterback Hector Bosquez successfully slid outside to pair with Moreno and form a dynamic combination.

Both are back to reprise their roles in 2015, highlighting Rowe’s pass-heavy offense as the team looks to rebound from last year’ 3-7 campaign.

“With him and Moreno out there, we have some quality outside receivers,” Rowe coach Paul Reyes said. “It’s going to be a tough matchup for a lot of teams.”

The two players offer similar praise for each other. Both are fast, and both are elusive. Bosquez calls Moreno an “unbelievable athlete,” and Reyes says Bosquez is “probably the best athlete that we have.”

Moreno said he’s been working on his hands during the summer, only adding to the confidence he entered with last season.

“I wasn’t surprised, but it was a learning experience for me my first year,” Moreno said.

After working primarily as a quarterback for the first half of the season, Bosquez shifted his focus to receiver and had some monster games, racking up 145 yards against La Joya Palmview and picking up 185 against Mission High.

Bosquez took a good chunk of the quarterback reps during the spring but will mostly focus on receiver during two-a-days. Reyes knows Bosquez will be ready to step in under center if necessary.

“Hector is going to be everywhere,” Reyes said. “He’s going to be back in the quarterback here and there. I guess you could say it’s like a wildcat. … He’s a threat to go any play. The more times we can get him touching the ball, the better.”

Those receiving options will make life easier for quarterback John Perez, who is going through two-a-days as a starter for the first time after backing up Bosquez to begin 2014. He eventually became the full-time starter down the stretch and finished as the district’s leading passer with 1,653 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“It’s like I have two really great guys on either side,” Perez said. “I have options of where to go, because they’re both fast, really quick and can catch.”

GROUND GAME

On top of the pieces Rowe brings back in the passing game, the Warriors return their entire offensive line and running back Jose Chavez, who ranked third on the team with 755 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns last year.

“Chavez is the running back right now, but he has some pressure from a bunch of guys,” Reyes said. “If he wants to take it, he’ll take it. If he hangs back, he has guys who want to play right behind him.”

DEFENSIVE SHIFT

The Warriors are using the fall practices to continue a transformation that began in the spring, working to become more multiple on defense under new coordinator Noel Valero.

An undersized unit, Rowe will look to create havoc with its quickness.

“We’re going to put on some pressure,” Reyes said. “These guys are excited about that. They’re having fun.”

INJURY BUG

A key piece of Rowe’s defense, linebacker Josh Holley, is still working to recover from a broken fibula. He expects to be back to 100 percent in another week or so.

After missing the final four games of last season with a knee injury, Holley is hungry to get back on the field.

“When I come back, it’s going to be amazing,” Holley said. “It’s going to be like fire on the field.”

[email protected]

==================================

PROGNOSIS

Rowe should once against boast a potent passing offense, highlighted by quarterback John Perez and receivers Hector Bosquez and Joseph Moreno. The question is whether a revamped defense will be able to do its part.

Projected 2015 Record: 4-6

TENURE

Coach: Paul Reyes

Year: Sixth

Record at Rowe: 23-29

==================================

Check out more stories from The Monitor’s 16-day Two-A-Day Tour:

Weslaco East

Roma

La Joya High

Weslaco High

PSJA North

Grulla

La Villa

Monte Alto

Valley View

Hidalgo

Donna High

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

Entering her third season as a starting setter at McAllen Memorial, junior Taylor Marburger is ready to start making all of the calls on offense.

After being part of a two-setter system last year, Marburger and the Mustangs are moving to a 5-1 look this year, which coach Lorena Lopez said will make Marburger the quarterback of the offense.

“It just makes it easier to get a connection for the team,” Marburger said. “We’re seeing how it works, and we’re all doing really well.”

In Memorial’s 6-2 last year, Marburger was only setting on half of the team’s rotations, splitting the role with Allie Nitsch. While that alignment allowed the Lady Mustangs to make use of Marburger’s hitting prowess, it sometimes created issues for Memorial’s other hitters. Hitting sets from the 5-foot-8 Nitsch was a big difference compared to the 5-foot-3 Marburger, Lopez said.

“I decided with our quick system, it’s just more consistent to run off one setter,” Lopez said. “One tempo, one size.”
Lopez will give Marburger insight on little things like which defensive players to avoid in certain scenarios, but for the most part she trusts Marburger to make the correct read.

During her first match in the new setup, Tuesday against Mission Veterans, Marburger had 23 assists, 2 kills, 5 aces and 4 digs as Memorial lost 25-23, 26-24, 25-18.

“The 5-1 is all about the setter leading,” Marburger said. “It’s put the role on me to lead the team, and lead the offense, and make it all work.”

Marburger’s experience and leadership ability are especially valuable given that the Lady Mustangs start two freshmen — Lanie Nitsch and Jocelyn Everage.

Those freshmen combine with Allie Nitsch and returning big hitter Draik Banks to provide the bulk of Memorial’s attack.“They’re very energetic, and that’s what we need on the team,” Marburger said. “They fit perfectly.”

BRANCHING OUT

Coming off a sophomore season during which she was named the District 31-6A outstanding setter, Edinburg High’s Dezi Marmolejo is looking to contribute in even more areas in 2015.

“We’re wringing her out like a rag full of water,” coach Deanna Dominguez said. “We’re just trying to get the most we can out of her.”

Now in her third year on varsity, Marmolejo counts natural athleticism and court awareness among her strengths, Dominguez said.

In wins against Mercedes and Harlingen South on Tuesday, Marmolejo tallied 20 kills, 14 assists, 22 digs, 15 aces and two blocks.

“She is super competitive and wants to win,” Dominguez said. “She’s not only like that during games, she’s like that in practice. That drive that she has, it echoes to everybody in the team. Everybody just ups their intensity level.”

Dominguez said Marmolejo has gotten much better at listening to instruction during her varsity tenure.

Whether its small things like where the open spots are in the defense or bigger matters like her changing role, Marmolejo has been very receptive.

“She’s, ‘Yes, ma’am. Whatever you need me to do, coach,’” Dominguez said. “She has a really good attitude. I couldn’t ask for a better kid.”

Edinburg graduated just one senior from a team that went 11-1 in District 31-6A last season, but Dominguez said the nine-player roster is still going through an early adjustment period given the role changes and positions switches of Marmolejo and a few others.

Dominguez said that defense figures to be the team’s “bread and butter” this year.

Edinburg High returns to action on Friday in the Donna Tournament.

“It’s about getting into the groove and finding our rhythm,” Dominguez said. “Right now, it’s just working out little kinks.”

FIGURING IT OUT

With eight new players coming up from junior varsity, Edinburg North coach Adrian Cavazos is spending the first week of the season figuring out rotations and helping his fresh faces adjust.

Among the players who are making the transition are hitters Laura Ruiz and Loryssa Rendon.

“Early on, it’s just adjusting to the speed,” Cavaos said. “The JV kids, it’s a lot different. The speed and the demand of playing on varsity. There wasn’t much pressure on JV. There’s a lot more on varsity.”

Among the varsity returners for the Lady Cougars are outside hitter Victoria Rogers and setters Abri Saenz and Ayissa Maldonado. Julie Villarreal is also returning but at a different position, moving from hitter in 2014 to libero in 2015.

Edinburg North, which finished 11-1 in District 31-6A last season, got the new season off to a strong start despite all of the adjustments, beating Mission High 25-14, 26-28, 25-22, 28-26 on Tuesday.

Next up is the Poundfest Tournament starting today in McAllen, where Cavazos will continue to look to tweak his rotation and iron out flaws.

“It’s just getting as many games as possible right now so we can try to get these kids up to tempo with the speed of the game,” Cavazos said. “The more games we can play, the better.”

[email protected]

McAllen High Poundfest Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 13

Pool Play

Matches begin at 9 a.m.

Pool 1

At McAllen High, Court 1

McAllen High vs. Edinburg Economedes

Weslaco High vs. Brownsville Lopez

McAllen High vs. Weslaco High

Edinburg Economedes vs. Brownsville Lopez

Edinburg Economedes vs. Weslaco High

McAllen High vs. Brownsville Lopez

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Los Fresnos vs. Brownsville Porter

Sharyland High vs. La Feria

Los Fresnos vs. Sharyland High

Brownsville Porter vs. La Feria

Brownsville Porter vs. Sharyland High

Los Fresnos vs. La Feria

Pool 3

At Travis Middle School, Court 1

McAllen Rowe vs. Weslaco East

PSJA Memorial vs. Brownsville Rivera

McAllen Rowe vs. PSJA Memorial

Weslaco East vs. Brownsville Rivera

Weslaco East vs. PSJA Memorial

McAllen Rowe vs. Brownsville Rivera

Pool 4

At McAllen Memorial, Court 1

McAllen Memorial vs. Brownsville Hanna

PSJA High vs. Edinburg Vela

McAllen Memorial vs. PSJA High

Brownsville Hanna vs. Edinburg Vela

Brownsville Hanna vs. PSJA High

McAllen Memorial vs. Edinburg Vela

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Brownsville Veterans vs. PSJA North

Port Isabel vs. Laredo Alexander

Brownsville Veterans vs. Port Isabel

PSJA North vs. Laredo Alexander

PSJA North vs. Port Isabel

Brownsville Veterans vs. Laredo Alexander

Pool 6

At Travis Middle School, Court 2

Edinburg North vs. Brownsville Pace

McAllen High JV vs. Laredo Cigarroa

Edinburg North vs. McAllen High JV

Brownsville Pace vs. Laredo Cigarroa

Brownsville Pace vs. McAllen High JV

Edinburg North vs. Laredo Cigarroa

Friday, Aug. 14

Matches begin at 9 a.m.

Pool 1

At McAllen High, Court 1

Winner Pool 1 vs. Second Place Pool 2

Winner Pool 6 vs. Second Place Pool 5

Winner Pool 1 vs. Winner Pool 6

Second Place Pool 2 vs. Second Place Pool 5

Second Place Pool 2 vs. Winner Pool 6

Winner Pool 1 vs. Second Place Pool 5

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Winner Pool 2 vs. Second Place Pool 3

Winner Pool 5 vs. Second Place Pool 4

Winner Pool 2 vs. Winner Pool 5

Second Place Pool 3 vs. Second Place Pool 4

Second Place Pool 3 vs. Winner Pool 5

Winner Pool 2 vs. Second Place Pool 4

Pool 3

At Travis Middle School, Court 1

Third Place Pool 3 vs. Fourth Place Pool 1

Third Place Pool 5 vs. Fourth Place Pool 6

Third Place Pool 3 vs. Third Place Pool 5

Fourth Place Pool 1 vs. Fourth Place Pool 6

Fourth Place Pool 1 vs. Third Place Pool 5

Third Place Pool 3 vs. Fourth Place Pool 6

Pool 4

At McAllen Memorial, Court 1

Winner Pool 5 vs. Second Place Pool 6

Winner Pool 3 vs. Second Place Pool 1

Winner Pool 4 vs. Winner Pool 3

Second Place Pool 6 vs. Second Place Pool 1

Second Place Pool 6 vs. Winner Pool 3

Winner Pool 4 vs. Second Place Pool 1

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Third Place Pool 4 vs. Fourth Place Pool 5

Third Place Pool 1 vs. Fourth Place Pool 2

Third Place Pool 4 vs. Third Place Pool 1

Fourth Place Pool 5 vs. Fourth Place Pool 2

Fourth Place Pool 5 vs. Third Place Pool 1

Third Place Pool 4 vs. Fourth Place Pool 2

Pool 6

At Travis Middle School, Court 2

Third Place Pool 6 vs. Fourth Place Pool 4

Third Place Pool 2 vs. Fourth Place Pool 3

Third Place Pool 6 vs. Third Place Pool 2

Fourth Place Pool 4 vs. Fourth Place Pool 3

Fourth Place Pool 4 vs. Third Place Pool 2

Third Place Pool 6 vs. Fourth Place Pool 3

Saturday, Aug. 15

Bracket Play

Gold Bracket

At McAllen High

Court 1

Game 1, 9 a.m.

Game 3, 10 a.m.

Game 5, 11 a.m.

Game 7, noon

Game 9, 1 p.m.

Game 11, 2 p.m.

Court 2

Game 2, 9 a.m.

Game 4, 10 a.m.

Game 6, 11 a.m.

Game 8, noon

Game 10, 1 p.m.

Silver Bracket

At McAllen Memorial

Court 1

Game 1, 9 a.m.

Game 3, 10 a.m.

Game 5, 11 a.m.

Game 7, noon

Game 9, 1 p.m.

Game 11, 2 p.m.

Court 2

Game 2, 9 a.m.

Game 4, 10 a.m.

Game 6, 11 a.m.

Game 8, noon

Game 10, 1 p.m.

Bronze Bracket

At Travis Middle School

Court 1

Game 1, 9 a.m.

Game 3, 10 a.m.

Game 5, 11 a.m.

Game 7, noon

Game 9, 1 p.m.

Game 11, 2 p.m.

Court 2

Game 2, 9 a.m.

Game 4, 10 a.m.

Game 6, 11 a.m.

Game 8, noon

Game 10, 1 p.m.

Donna ISD Volleyball Tournament

Friday, Aug. 14

Pool Play

Matches begin at 10 a.m.

Pool A

At Donna High, Court 1

Donna High vs. Valley View

Harlingen High vs. Lyford

Donna High vs. Harlingen High

Valley View vs. Lyford

Donna High vs. Lyford

Valley View vs. Harlingen High

Pool B

At Donna High, Court 2

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Roma

Laredo Nixon vs. Rio Hondo

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Laredo Nixon

Rio Hondo vs. Roma

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Rio Hondo

Pool C

At Donna North, Court 1

Donna North vs. La Joya High

Edinburg High vs. Raymondville

Donna North vs. Edinburg High

Raymondville vs. La Joya High

Donna North vs. Raymondville

La Joya High vs. Edinburg High

Pool D

At Donna North, Court 2

Mercedes vs. Rio Grande City

Harlingen South vs. Hidalgo

Mercedes vs. Harlingen South

Hidalgo vs. Rio Grande City

Mercedes vs. Hidalgo

Rio Grande City vs. Harlingen South

Saturday, Aug. 15

Single Elimination

Gold Bracket

At Donna High, Court 1

G1: 1st Pool A vs. 2nd Pool D, 9 a.m.

G2: 1st Pool C vs. 2nd Pool B, 10 a.m.

G3: 1st Pool B vs. 2nd Pool A, 11 a.m.

G4: 1st Pool D vs. 2nd Pool C, noon

G5: Winner G1 vs. Winner G2, 1 p.m.

G6: Winner G3 vs. Winner G4, 2 p.m.

G7: Winner G5 vs. Winner G6, 3 p.m.

Silver Bracket

At Donna High, Court 2

G1: 3rd Pool A vs. 4th Pool D, 9 a.m.

G2: 3rd Pool C vs. 4th Pool B, 10 a.m.

G3: 3rd Pool B vs. 4th Pool A, 11 a.m.

G4: 3rd Pool D vs. 4th Pool C, noon

G5: G1 winner vs. G2 winner, 1 p.m.

G6: G3 winner vs. G4 winner, 2 p.m.

G7: G5 winner vs. G6 winner, 3 p.m.