BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — Ariel Rodriguez understands the circumstances surrounding her senior season at Edinburg Vela, and is coolly undeterred.

The shooting guard knows she’s the go-to scoring threat for the Lady SaberCats, and she recognizes her role as a leader on and off the court. Rodriguez also knows the quest for a second straight district title will not be easy. She’ll face stringent opposition on a nightly basis in one of the Valley’s most competitive collections of teams.

Such a burden could understandably render a mere teenager nervous, rattled and unsure, but not Rodriguez. For her, it’s business as usual.

“I’m pretty confident about this year,” Rodriguez said.

And with good reason.

Last year Rodriguez averaged 10.8 points per game, in addition to 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals. Each statistic ranked in the top 15 in the Valley.

“She’s an outstanding player,” Vela coach Lottie Zarate said. “She has a good feel for the court. Her passes are phenomenal and she’s a great outside shooter.”

Rodriguez’s numbers look to jump this season due to the graduation of Daniela Azubell, the Lady SaberCats leading scorer from a year ago. Azubell was an efficient low-post player who nearly averaged a double-double and perfectly complemented Rodriguez’s long-range attack.

“We looked for each other on the court,” Rodriguez said. “We were friends off the court, so when it was game time we connected well.”

That connection helped lead Vela to a District 30-5A championship and a postseason appearance.

But the new season brings with it a new basketball landscape. Redistricting has placed Vela in a rigorous District 31-5A along with Mission Veterans, Sharyland High, Sharyland Pioneer, Roma, Rio Grande City and Valley View. All but two of those teams sported a winning record in district play last year.

“It’s going to be tough this year,” Zarate said. “For us, this new district is going to be challenging.”

The third-year coach will look to employ a run-and-gun style of play that still emphasizes inside-out basketball. Without a go-to post option at the moment, however, Rodriguez becomes the focal point.

“Coach gives me the freedom (to shoot),” Rodriguez said. “People say I shoot by the volleyball line.”

The trust between player and coach is the result of a two-year relationship that’s produced one of the top programs in the Valley.

“When I first saw her, I knew this young lady had already developed a skill,” Zarate said. “This was her game.”

Rodriguez’s game was one of agility, quick hands and a soft shooting touch.

But just as impressive as Rodriguez’s box score is her adaptability. When the school district rezoned in 2012 because of the addition of Vela, a patchwork of players from across Edinburg came to the Lady SaberCats.

“For her to be able to put the pieces together that year was a big challenge for her and for the coaching staff,” Zarate said.

Rodriguez has been playing basketball since she was four years old.

“I was raised at the local parks and recreation center,” Rodriguez said. “I saw (Edinburg girls basketball coach Rachel) Carmona take her girls to practice over there. I was on the sideline trying to pick up what they were doing.”

And the learning process continues.

“I’ve been working on my defensive side,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been trying to get quicker and work on rebounding.”

For a player who racks up so many assists, she’s comfortable with letting others handle the ball as well, coming off screens and spacing the defense.

Zarate sees the on court improvement, but also sees development elsewhere.

“The growth for her, that I’ve seen, is the leadership role. She’s taken it by the horns.”

Both Zarate and Rodriguez are modest when it comes to predicting another division crown, but both are optimistic about the Lady SaberCats’ season.

“We take it one game at a time,” Zarate said. “I tell my girls that you don’t want to jinx your season.”

Rodriguez hopes to leave a mark in the same gymnasium that once played host to the Edinburg teams of yesteryear which inspired her.

“Last year we reached the area round of the playoffs, and we’re obviously hoping to go further,” Rodriguez said. “It’s my final year.”

Girls Basketball Preseason Top 10 Rankings

1. Weslaco High

2. Harlingen High

3. Brownsville Veterans Memorial

4. Mission Veterans Memorial

5. Los Fresnos

6. Roma

7. Mercedes

8. Edinburg Vela

9. Weslaco East

10. Edinburg North

JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — As McAllen Memorial swim coach Roxanna Balducci watches her squad in the pool, she doesn’t have to worry about the boys.

“I have a lot of seniors, and so with them, it’s just a lot of fine-tuning,” Balducci said.

The fine-tuning is occurring at various meets throughout the Valley before district competition begins after the New Year.

“I’m looking to improve their turns, the breakouts, the sprints in the finish,” Balducci said.

Memorial senior Brian Holmes has been impressive thus far in the young season. At the City Champs swim meet on Nov. 4, Holmes won first place in 100-meter freestyle with a time of 51.6. That mark is currently best in the Valley. Holmes also helped lead the Mustangs first place in the 200-yard medley relay.

“(Holmes) has been huge for us,” Balducci said. “He’s done a really good job.”

The City Champs meets doubled as a chance for Balducci to evaluate her nebulous crew of freshman girls.

“It was giving us some idea of how these kids are coming along,” she said. “I had a very small girls team last year, but these kids are real gun-ho and are fired up and keep improving.”

One such freshman is Hannah Bradford. Bradford placed first for Memorial at City Champs in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 57.93, beating second place by more than six seconds. Bradford also finished first in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:05.95 and helped the team win the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Megan Blevins, another freshman, finished third in both the 200-yard freestyle and 250-freestyle.

“She’s spot on,” Balducci said. “She looks good.”

Despite Bradford’s success, many of Memorial freshman girls are still getting acclimated to the basics.

“They’re still getting used to two straight hours of practice,” Balducci said. “They’re getting used to getting up at five in the morning, keeping good grades while swimming, practicing all four strokes as opposed to just one like they did in middle school.”

Memorial’s next meet will be a Nov. 15 date in Brownsville, followed by a Nov. 21 trip to Corpus Christi.

“We’ve got to see where everyone tends to excel,” Balducci said. “Because they’re not sure what they’re good at either. But the kids are getting adjustments made and doing well.”

JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — A leaky ceiling at Morris Middle School prompted a change of venue for Friday’s Class 6A area round volleyball playoff match between McAllen High and Edinburg High. The match was moved to McAllen Memorial.

Though the Memorial gym sheltered patrons and players alike from the evening’s incessant drizzle, the Lady Bulldogs rained down one thunderous spike after another en route to sweeping the Lady Bobcats 25-21, 25-21, 25-15.

McHi will face the winner of tonight’s playoff game between Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Laredo United at an undetermined time and site early next week.

The Lady Bulldog’s frontline, led by sophomore Julia Monday, overwhelmed the smaller Lady Bobcats throughout the night. When McHi would forcefully slap a ball into the opposing hardwood, Edinburg could only retaliate with soft floaters or watch helplessly as their would-be attack was emphatically rejected.

“We’re all about six feet (tall),” Monday said. “And we’re all about getting up there.”

Monday led the team with 15 kills. Teammate Sydney Pemelton added nine kills of her own in addition to eight blocks.

The venue change delayed the start of the match by 90 minutes. Each team made the trip by bus, stuck in the same cumbersome traffic as parents and fans.

“Coach just told us to keep it up,” Monday said. “Nothing really changed.”

Nothing except for Memorial’s low-hanging ceiling which, at times, caused the ball to beeline straight down after a wayward assist or simply ping-pong about the rafters.

“(The ceiling) is always a factor at (Memorial),” McHi coach Paula Dodge said. “We play Memorial every year, and we’re aware of what’s happening.”

Despite the sweep, the Lady Bulldogs had to rally in each of the firs two sets. With both sides tied at 21 late in the opening game, McHi went on a 4-0 run to close. The team then became the beneficiary of several unforced Edinburg errors as part of a 6-1 run to end the second set.

“Edinburg did a good job in those first two games,” Dodge said. “They did a good job mixing up their offensive attack on us, whether it was tipping or hitting.”

The Lady Bulldogs cruised in the final set, however, looking every bit like the reigning District 30-6A champions. The errors were kept to a minimum while the kills kept coming.

Though Edinburg’s season ends, Lady bobcats coach Deanna Dominguez focused on the positive after the loss.

“They have nothing to be ashamed of,” Dominguez said. “No one expected us to be here given how young we are. But I can’t wait for most of these girls to come back next year.”

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BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

LA JOYA —Nothing could stop the Roma volleyball team Tuesday night at Juarez Lincoln High School, not even the scoreboard.

The device malfunctioned midway through the third set of Tuesday’s bi-district volleyball game between the Lady Gladiators and Edcouch Elsa, which led to an impromptu, and lengthy, timeout.

“It’s little things that happen that you don’t plan for,” Roma coach Angie Garcia said. “We were just trying to keep the girls focused on what we were doing.”

And focused Garcia’s team remained, sweeping the Lady Yellow Jackets 25-14, 25-20, 25-22.

“I told the girls we had to come out intense,” Garcia said. “Edcouch is always a scrappy team, and we didn’t want to take any chances with them.”

Neither did senior Luz Gonzalez, who was instrumental on both sides of the net in Roma’s victory. The four-year letterman totaled 10 kills on the evening in addition to four block sand seven digs.

“I had been practicing my middle hits going down the left,” Gonzalez said. “My setters did a good job of setting my up, and I did what I knew how to do.”

Gonzalez’s teammate, Kassy Rocha was impactful as well with 10 kils, 20 digs and 3 blocks.

“We’re very fortunate to not be a one-girl team,” Garcia said. “We had some size, and we tried to use that to our advantage.”

Despite getting the sweep, Roma (28-10, 7-5 District 31-5A) overcame early deficits in all three sets, committing net errors and sending balls out of bounds.

“I kept telling the girls, ‘You’re going to give up a point, that’s fine,” Garcia said. “You have to shake it off and get back at it.”

Gonzalez echoes her coaches’ sentiments.

“We knew we were the better team, we shouldn’t be going up and down with them,” Gonzalez said. “Whenever we had the chance to take the lead, we took advantage of it.”

Roma advances to the area round will play Tuloso-Midway this weekend. Time, place and date have not been determined.

For Edcouch-Elsa, (23-17, 13-1), the loss ends what was a resilient season. After losing 10 of their first 16 games, the Lady Yellow Jackets went on to win a share of the District 32-5A title. “We lost in the best way,” coach Ofeilia Griffith said. “As a team.”

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

MERCEDES — Mercedes senior defensive back Roel Garcia was visibly emotional. His demeanor was subdued as he held back tears.

Yes, he and his teammates had just clinched a share of the District 32-5A championship after a convincing 48-34 victory against PSJA Southwest on Friday night at Tiger Stadium. Yes, he became the school’s all-time interceptions leader on a 45-yard return for a touchdown late in the second quarter.

But Garcia wasn’t moved by statistics or records, but rather by a heavy sense of finality. Friday’s contest marked the last Tigers regular season game in the team’s current stadium, and the final time Garcia took the field with his friends in front of a home crowd.

“I’m just proud to be with them,” Garcia said. “I love them.”

Such affectionate words were permissible after the fact, but Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. preached a message of focus and resolve in the days leading up to the game.

“He told us it was just another game for us,” Garcia said. “District stuff doesn’t matter until the playoffs anyways.”

And so it was the Tigers (9-1, 7-0 District 32-5A) took care of business with ruthless efficiency. The offense racked up 514 total yards, scoring on each of its first three drives, and never punted.

Senior quarterback Rene Presas accounted for most of Mercedes’ potency, completing 14-of-32 attempts for 465 yards and five scores in addition to a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Many of Presas’ completions came on short screen passes that became huge runs downfield.

“We literally run at least 20 minutes of screens each practice,” Presas said. “Guys keep getting better, we have to keep pushing.”

Daniel Martinez, a junior, led the Tigers with 192 receiving yards on eight catches, including a touchdown. Senior wideout Joshua Garza hauled in a 19-yard score of his own, and finished with five receptions for 109 yards.

“We run an empty (set)” Garcia said. “It makes it hard for all the defenders to cover us, and we have enough line that gives (Presas) enough time to throw to us.”

Garcia, who plays both sides of the ball, had four catches for 74 yards.

But for all off the offensive firepower that was put on display, it was Garcia’s historic takeaway that stole the show.

After a tipped pass bounced off the hands of Southwest tight end Luis Gutierrez, Garcia intercepted the ball at the 45-yard-line, and displayed his athleticism on an acrobatic return that saw him leap-frogging defenders and spinning in midair.

“He’s a ball hawk,” Adame Jr. said. “He has a nose for the ball and he goes and gets it.”

ACOSTA EFFECTIVE IN LOSS

Javelinas running back Jesus Acosta was effective despite the loss.

The senior carried the ball 25 times for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns. However, the second half saw a more stingy Tigers defense, which allowed Acosta just 60 yards on the ground.

“(Mercedes) was just more aggressive on defense,” Southwest coach Jesus Reyes said.

The loss puts PSJA Southwest at 4-5 with a 3-3 mark in District 32-5A. Southwest needs a win against Brownsville Pace next week and a Donna High loss to Edcouch-Elsa to get into the playoffs.

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JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

LA JOYA — At a quick glance, Thursday’s game between La Joya High and McAllen Rowe is an afterthought. Both teams sport sub-.500 records and have struggled against their district opponents.

But what appears to be a battle between bottom feeders is actually a heated bout for a postseason appearance. The winner will secure the fourth, and final, playoff spot in the district.

A playoff berth would mark a significant stepping stone for La Joya coach George Espinoza and his young team. The Coyotes (2-6, 1-3) have mustered a combined record of 13-47 since La Joya High split into three schools in 2008. The third-year coach still remembers the apathy which surrounded the Coyotes upon his arrival.

“The numbers were very low,” Espinoza said. “No kids were here at all. We had to bite the bullet.”

La Joya has been patient in its rebuilding efforts, relying on a crew of young talent to develop and grow together, laying a foundation for the future.

“Right now, the kids that have been with us have stuck it out,” Espinoza said. “We’ve got 38 juniors we’re working with. It’s coming together. We have a legitimate group coming up.”

One of those juniors is running back Justin Leanos, who leads the team’s run-heavy offense with 737 yards and 8 touchdowns.

“He’s the work horse for us,” Espinoza said. “He needs to be at the top of his game and keep up his consistency.”

Rowe’s offensive approach is the antithesis of La Joya. Coach Paul Reyes employs a spread offense that’s reliant on the passing game.

That’s where our strength lies right now,” Reyes said. “We’ve got quick players on the outside so we try to find them some open spaces on the edge.”

One of those quick players is wide receiver Hector Bosquez. Bosquez began the season as a quarterback, but recently converted after injuries necessitated the move. It’s been a seamless transition, as Bosquez hauled in nine catches for 145 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago in a loss to La Joya Palmview.

“(Hector) is one of our best athletes,” Reyes said. “He can run, can catch and can. He’s a heck of a player.”

John Perez has filled in at quarterback, completing 85-of-142 pass attempts for 1,056 yards, six touchdowns and three picks.

“We’re hoping we can spread (La Joya) out and create some mismatches,” Reyes said. “That’s what we’re comfortable doing, and we’re going to do it.”

Rowe (3-6, 2-3), who entered the season with high expectations, has struggled this season due to youth and delayed coaching adjustments, which Reyes openly admits to.

“From the offensive line to the secondary, we were looking for some things, just tweaking and trying to get things solid,” Reyes said. “It’s my fault. I should have seen it sooner, but we’re comfortable with where we’re at.”

JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

MERCEDES — The Mercedes Lady Tigers volleyball team advanced to the postseason Thursday, defeating Brownsville Porter at home in four sets, 25-16, 25-15, 16-25, 25-17.

Both Mercedes (21-17, 7-7) and the Cowgirls (11-15, 6-8) played for the final playoff spot in District 32-5A.

But for a game with so much at stake, the Lady Tigers felt the worst sensation at the worst possible moment, a queasy air of déjá va.

“I was like, ‘Please, not another game like (this),” Lady Tigers coach Judy Gutierrez said. “We need to put this away.”

Mercedes won the opening two sets in deciding fashion, and were led by the defensive efforts of the front line. Gavy Guerrero tallied a game-high five blocks. The backcourt contributed as well, as Alex Peña collected 31 digs.

However, much, like they did in last Saturday’s win over PSJA Southwest, the Lady Tigers stumbled in the third set, looking disoriented and slow-footed. Mercedes committed several unforced errors, giving the resilient Cowgirls an easy victory.

“I told them to not give (Porter) any indication (they could be beaten),” Gutierrez said after giving up the sweep. “We knew what we had to do. I told them to believe. Start off strong, and the game is yours.”

And it was, as Mercedes rolled to an easy 25-17 win in the final set, leading by as many as eight points.

“I told them to fight for every point,” Gutierrez said. “One hit, one kill, one point at a time. Whatever it takes.”

The win is Mercedes’ third in a row. The team looks to carry that momentum into the first round of the playoffs against Mission Veterans Memorial. Time and location of the match is yet to be determined.

“We wanted it make it so bad,” senior Summer Vento said. “We did it. We’re in. We’re coming for it, and we’re so lucky.

Vento led the Lady Tigers with 11 kills.

For the Cowgirls (11-15, 6-8 District 32-5A), the loss marks a continuation in what now becomes 15-year playoff drought.

“We didn’t do the little things tonight,” Cowgirls coach Laura Fortner said. “There was a lack of communication.”

Despite the loss, Fortner is optimistic about the future.

“I’m getting all but one of my players back next year,” Fortner said. “I’m still proud of what this team did this season.”

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

PHARR – Judy Gutierrez’s message was simple.

Don’t panic.

The Mercedes coach reassured her Lady Tigers for the entirety of Saturday’s must-win victory on the road at PSJA Southwest, preaching a message of tranquility, execution and self-confidence.

Mercedes needed such elements in order to stave off a resilient Lady Javelinas squad in five sets, winning 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 20-25, 15-11. The Lady Tigers now control their own postseason destiny for the fourth and final playoff spot in District 32-5A.

“We needed to come out and just play tough,” Gutierrez said. “(The girls) worked strong together and believed in each other.”

It took an added dose of belief, as Mercedes (20-17, 6-7) failed to sweep after winning the opening two sets.

“It became touch-and-go, point-for-point,” Gutierrez said. “We missed a couple of serves, but we told the girls going into the fifth (set), ‘The first to 15 wins.”

Summer Vento, a senior, scored two points in the final set and was Gutierrez’s go-to girl throughout the match.

“We worked on going to our big hitter,” Gutierrez said. “Whatever it takes, get her the ball. She’s our most consistent player.”

Vento led Mercedes with 19 kills.

“We make it so hard on ourselves,” Vento said. “We came into the third set overconfident. We had the lead, and then we let it go.”

Merecedes’ bigs were productive around the net for much of the afternoon. Vento and teammates Mere Guevara and Gavy Guerreo combined for 42 kills. The trio consistently found holes in Southwest’s defense, and scored on forceful spikes and gentle misdirections alike.

“We watched film, and we were able to see their defense and find their open spots,” Vento said.

The Lady Tigers will play Brownsville Porter (11-14, 6-7) at Mercedes on Tuesday. The winner of that matchup advances to the playoffs. Porter, which beat PSJA High 25-17, 25-15, 22-25, 26-24 on Saturday, knocked off Mercedes in five sets in the first head-to-head meeting.

“You don’t lose your composure,” Gutierrez said. “We need to play for (a sweep). We need to fight for every point. If the game is that close, we need to put it away.”

The Lady Javelinas, who are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs following the loss, looked sluggish in the early going. At times the team failed to communicate during plays and committed several errors. Defenders also missed their rotations, creating sizable pockets for Mercedes to attack.

“I told them ‘It’s not over until it’s over,” Southwest coach Jaclyn Olvera said. “Nothing is impossible. Other teams have come back from being down 2-0, why not us?”

And the Lady Javelinas (15-18, 4-9) almost did. The third and fourth sets saw a reinvigorated Southwest team. Players barked out calls to one another, the defense became sure-footed.

“I made a lineup change,” Olvera said. “I just got my big girl back.”

That big girl is Ana Prado, an athletic senior who has missed several weeks with a right shoulder injury. Prado scored 10 points and tallied four blocks in the matches’ final three sets, and iced her tender joint between stints on the court.

“She told me, ‘Coach, I’m ready to go. Put me in,” Olvera said. “And I thought she played very well for us.”

Prado’s injury is just one of many to derail the Lady Javelinas’ season. Saturday marked the first time all season Olvera coached a healthy team.

“Literally, my whole team is with the trainers.” Olvera said.

For Southwest, the goal now becomes more sentimental: defeat Brownsville Pace in the season finale.

“We want to go out on a high note,” Olvera said.

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Fred Hover’s debut as quarterback for the McAllen High Bulldogs fell three yards short of his expectations.

“I remember the first pass I ever threw,” Hover said. “It was the easiest pass in the world, a wide-open five-yard out, and I threw it two yards into the ground.”

That was 2012, when Hover was an untested sophomore daunted by the duties of leading the offense.

“The speed of the game was way more than I’d ever seen at that point,” Hover said. “Sophomore year, you feel the pressure and you try not to make any mistakes.”

Hover describes his first season as “bumpy,” but he still helped lead a young Bulldogs team to a respectable 6-4 record.

“I learned a lot and I’m glad I went through it,” Hover said.

With experience on his side and a new coach in Kevin Brewer, Hover’s junior year was a break-out season. He threw for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding another 1,022 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

“He’s gotten better throwing the ball, better with his throwing mechanics and he’s gotten better with his reads,” Brewer said.

Due in part to Hover’s improved play, the Bulldogs won their first district title in 39 years. It was the kind of production Brewer expected. Upon his hiring, he studied game film to assess his roster and gage their talent. Brewer quickly became impressed with Hover’s decision making and athleticism.

“I knew he was the right guy for the job,” Brewer said. “And I haven’t been wrong.”

The confidence goes both ways between coach and QB.

“From day one he had the plan that I would be the quarterback,” Hover said. “He put faith in me that I can run his offense, and I have faith in him as a coach.”

Brewer favors a spread offense with an emphasis on power-running, a scheme he sees as vital to conducting a successful football program.

“Some people skin their cats their own way, but I don’t believe in a one-dimensional offense,” Brewer said. “You have to be equally efficient in the run game as you are in the passing game.”

The Bulldogs (6-2, 4-0 District 30-6A) have the perfect tandem in Hover and senior running back Ricky Rodriguez. This season, the duo has combined for 1,838 rushing yards and 27 TDs.

The passing game, however, struggled in the early part of the season. During a four-week stretch, Hover completed just 44 percent of his passes and averaged a measly 87 yards per game.

“It wasn’t just (Hover),” Brewer said. “It was receiver issues, a total offensive unit deal. We focused on that area and started seeing some improvement.”

One such upgrade was the re-focused play of the offensive line.

“We’ve really jelled up front,” senior lineman Raul Luera said. “That’s big for us. We weren’t trusting each other on our blocks.”

The Bulldogs are also healthier. After missing two games with a right ankle sprain, senior wide out Justin Gonzalez returned at the same time as Hover’s passing efficiency. For Gonzales, that’s no coincidence.

“I bring an essence of leadership here and try to set this receiving core straight when it comes to this passing game,” Gonzalez said. “It’s obviously another essence we bring to the offense when we come out here and we’re strong and we know what we’re doing.”

Since Gonzalez’s return, Hover has completed 71 percent of his passes and thrown for a combined 443 yards and seven touchdowns.

“He learns the playbook like the back of his hand,” running back Ricky Rodriguez said. “If something’s not right, he’ll stop practice and point it out. I really like that about that about him. He knows everyone’s position.”

Having rediscovered their offensive potency, McAllen High has won three straight, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 193-34.

“We had to get in sync,” Hover said. “It just took us more time than we would have liked.”

The Bulldogs picked a good time to reach their stride, as they prepare for Friday’s game against their cross-town rival, McAllen Memorial (6-1, 3-0 District 30-6A). The winner will likely be crowed district champion.

The magnitude of the situation is not lost on the Bulldogs.

“I’d say it’s a must-win,” Hover said. “District championship is our goal, and we’re not going to let anyone come in the way and stop us from that.”

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JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — A spirited postseason atmosphere permeated the confined quarters of the Morris Middle School gymnasium Tuesday, as the McAllen High volleyball team swept McAllen Memorial, 25-17, 27-25, 25-12.

Sophomore Julia Monday and senior Dominique Peña each led the Lady Bulldogs with nine kills.

But it was the two-way play of Sydney Pemelton, seven kills and two blocks, which helped propel the team to victory late in the game.

“(Pemelton) was definitely a presence in their,” McAllen High coach Paula Dodge said. “She’s come a long way. She’s very strong and helps us a lot.”

The win was pivotal for the McAllen High, who improves to 34-5 overall and 10-1 in District 30-6A. The win guarantees share of the district title. The Lady Bulldogs will face La Joya Palmview (0-9, District 30-6A) Oct. 28. A win would give the Bulldogs the outright title.

The final set looked to be a contentious one, with the schools trading kills in a heated back-and-fourth stretch. Only two points separated the teams when Dodge called a timeout with her team leading 11-9.

Once play resumed, the Lady Bulldogs embarked on a 9-1 run, putting the game away in decisive fashion.

“We’re just always playing one point at a time,” Dodge said. “Don’t look ahead and definitely don’t look behind.”

The charge was lead by Pemelton, who added a pair of scores and a block during the run.

“We came together as a team,” Pemelton said. “When they got the lead, we were kind of shutting down and not talking. Then we got together, took a deep breath, and pulled through.”

The Lady Mustangs were resilient in the second set, always staying within reach and never trailing by more than four kills. Memorial’s Draik Banks, a junior, displayed her defensive prowess by collecting two blocks early in the set. Banks finished with six kills and five blocks.

“We were just struggling on servicing,” Lady Mustangs head coach Lorena Lopez said. “When we can’t get our center the ball, we can’t the offense. (McAllen High) has a tough server that gets you out of rhythm, and that’s how it goes.”

Though Banks defended the net well, Memorial couldn’t find an answer for the Lady Bulldogs’ defense scheme, Pemelton in particular.

“You got to see her, and try not to hit right in to her,” Lopez said.

Though McAllen Memorial (31-9, 7-3, District 30-6A), is on the outside looking in on the District championship, the Lady Mustangs instead focus on preparing for the playoffs. Memorial, with two regular season meets left, will play La Joya Palmview on Saturday.