ROY HESS | Staff Writer

Brianna Garza did whatever she could to help the Harlingen High Lady Cardinals on the soccer field.

That meant playing several positions during the 2019 season, and actually, throughout her four-year varsity career.

The versatile senior is the Valley Morning Star’s 2019 All-Star Girls Soccer Utility Player of the Year.

“I had an open mindset to everything I was asked to do (as far as playing different positions),” said Garza, who plans to attend Texas A&M-Corpus Christi next school year and concentrate on academics. “I would ask the girls who were playing the position I was going to for their help. I wasn’t against taking advice from anybody because if I was going to play a certain position, I wanted to play it to the best of my ability and help the team out as much as I could.”

Garza said she is grateful to be honored as the Star’s top utility player.

“It made me feel good, because these last four years I’ve put in a lot of work,” she said. “I’ve just tried my best to make the most out of my senior year. An award like this shows my hard work has paid off for my four years with the program, and I’m really proud of that.”

Garza was named first-team All-District 32-6A at midfielder this year.

Lady Cardinals coach Debra Galvan said Garza was an important member of the team.

“Brianna played sweeper her freshman through junior years and then defender on the side for us this year,” Galvan said. “Then (as a senior, she also played) center mid and (midfielder) wing.

“Brianna stepped up when we needed her to play a tough position at center mid,” Galvan added. “She never said no. She just stepped up to the plate and learned the position. Brianna played defense, center mid and wing, and she motivated the girls to play hard. She will be missed.”

Seeing the program rebound and make the playoffs the past two seasons has meant a lot to Garza. The Lady Cardinals went into the playoffs as the No. 4 seed from District 32-6A this season.

They surprised District 31-6A champion Edinburg North 2-0 in bi-district March 28. The Harlingen High girls were eliminated during the second round 4-2 by a strong La Joya Juarez-Lincoln team April 2.

“It means a lot to me (to play for the Lady Cardinals),” Garza said. “I think it has showed me how to work hard for something I really want. My first two years were kind of rough because we didn’t really go anywhere (and make the playoffs). We got used to our coach my junior year, and we really started going places. A lot of the girls on the team have learned you have to work hard for the things that you want.

“I think our win against Edinburg North reinforced the belief we had in each other,” Garza added. “It’s a big deal beating a district champion in the playoffs. Everyone thought we were going to lose because we came into the playoffs as our district’s fourth-place team. That win helped us boost our confidence in each other. It showed us we could do it.”

The graduating senior has a parting message for the Lady Cardinals who are returning.

“I would just like to say to my (underclassman) teammates that I hope they can make it farther (in the playoffs) than we did this year,” Garza said. “I’ll be out there supporting them.”

ROY HESS | Staff Writer

Harlingen South’s Mellory Grannum played at an MVP level as a forward, as a midfielder and as a defender for the Lady Hawks’ 23-4 soccer team that advanced five rounds in the Class 6A playoffs this season.

Grannum, a senior, is one of those players who stands out wherever she is positioned on the field.

She is the top choice as MVP on the Valley Morning Star’s 2019 All-STAR Girls Soccer Team.

“Mellory played every position, and she did well regardless of where she played,” Lady Hawks coach Omar Pedroza said. “For example, you put her at forward and she was one of the best in the Valley. It was the same thing if she was in the midfield or playing defense.

“We took advantage of that,” Pedroza added. “It was almost automatic when we went ahead late in a game that she would go back and play defense. The team knew (we wanted her to do that). She was a huge contributor for our team. It’s pretty hard to be a strong player like she is at so many positions.”

The South coach said it’s been a number of years since the Lady Hawks had a multi-talented player like Grannum.

“The last one I remember doing that (at South) was Lindsey Gramley, and that was many years ago,” Pedroza said. “She was one of the few who could do it.”

Grannum, whose younger sister Caroline was a junior on the team in 2019, didn’t play soccer her freshman year but was a starter her next three seasons for the Lady Hawks.

“I feel that the team this season was one of the best I’ve played on,” said Grannum, who has signed a scholarship agreement to play soccer at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio next school year. “I feel the way we came out and trained every day as teammates was a big factor. Just the way we were as a team (was important). We were one big family, and I think that contributed a lot to how we ended the season (qualifying for the Region IV-6A Tournament).”

Regarding her ability to play all over the field, Grannum said, “It’s really different playing different positions. As a defensive player, you just have to be more alert and cautious (defending the goal). As a forward, it’s about striking the ball and wanting to score for the team.

“Every position is played differently, but I enjoy all of them the same,” she added.

It’s been an eventful three years playing for the Lady Hawks, Grannum said. She actually is graduating from Med High in the Mid-Valley, but she is zoned to South for athletics.

“I feel honored to be able to play,” Grannum said. “At first, I was a little nervous to join the team (as a sophomore) because I wasn’t actually going to school at Harlingen South. I wasn’t sure how I would fit in. But even at the first practice, everybody was so welcoming. They all just treated me like family, and that really meant a lot. I just feel really blessed to be on the team.”

Grannum was one of three overall MVP selections in 32-6A this season.

“It feels really good (to receive these awards) only because my hard work and dedication to the sport has paid off,” she said. “I’m just very blessed.

“We complemented each other well on this team,” Grannum added. “Each one of us had something to contribute, and that’s what made this team such an outstanding team. I’ve been playing with some of these girls since I was little. We’ve all just seen each other grow. It’s been really nice to see how we’ve developed as soccer players. It’s great to see how far we’ve come.”

ROY HESS | Staff Writer

Omar Pedroza is one of the few coaches who was around when University Interscholastic League girls soccer first came to the Rio Grande Valley in the late 1990s.

He has guided the Lady Hawks for 23 seasons and taken them to the playoffs every year.

The 2019 season was one of the best for the South girls as they advanced five rounds in the Class 6A playoffs and made it to the Region IV-6A Tournament final before suffering a 3-0 loss to Austin Lake Travis and finishing the year 23-4. It was the first appearance for the South girls in the regional final since 2003. The Lady Hawks’ season ended one win short of the UIL state tournament in Georgetown in April.

For his efforts in directing the Lady Hawks to such a standout season, Pedroza is the Valley Morning Star’s 2019 All-Star Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.

Also, Sarah Grace Garza, a freshman midfielder on the wing/forward for South, is the All-Star Newcomer of the Year.

“I tell people who ask me about winning an award (such as coach of the year) that it’s a reflection of the kind of players I have,” Pedroza said. “I have great players who are smart students. When you have those kind of players, my job is easy. I love it, and I would say it’s just a reflection of the players.”

Mellory Grannum, a senior standout who has played three seasons for the Lady Hawks, said the players appreciate having Pedroza as their coach.

“Coach Pedroza is honestly one of the nicest coaches I’ve ever played for,” Grannum said. “As a coach, I feel he understands the game, and he understands each and every one of his players as a person. He knows exactly where to put us on the field so we can do well in a game.”

Meanwhile, Garza said it was a great experience to be part of the team that made it all the way to the regional final.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have made such an impact on this team without the rest of my teammates,” said Garza, who was named one of the two newcomers this year in District 32-6A as well. “My teammates have been welcoming to me since the beginning of the season.

“This team is my second family, and I’m completely honored to be part of it,” she added. “I’m going to miss all these seniors who are graduating. They helped me so much this season. Mostly as a left wing, I tried to make good passes, and I tried to do what I could to make sure the ball would get to the forwards so we could have a chance to score.

“It was my first season (on the varsity) and we made it very far (in the playoffs), so I’m glad I was a part of that. I hope that throughout the coming years I can improve as a player and as a teammate, and make more history.”

ROY HESS | Staff Writer

It’s no mistake the Valley Morning Star’s 2019 All-STAR Girls Soccer Team is dominated by the Harlingen South Lady Hawks.

No area girls soccer team has made it to the UIL state quarterfinals during the past 15 years until the Lady Hawks did it this season at the Region IV-6A Tournament. Actually, the South girls were the last ones to reach that level of the playoffs in 2003, so it was a pretty special season for them in 2019.

Three important contributors for the Lady Hawks and winners of top honors on the All-STAR squad are Alise Garza (Offensive Player of the Year), Jackie Guillen (Defensive Player of the Year) and Reid Davis (Goalkeeper of the Year).

They are all seniors.

“I think this season was definitely one of our best seasons,” said Garza, who really stepped up scoring-wise during the playoffs and finished with a double-digit number of goals. “Of the four years that I’ve been here playing on the varsity for South, we worked harder, we fought harder and we definitely came out where we wanted to be (at the regional tournament).”

Garza also was chosen the offensive player of the year in District 32-6A.

“It means everything to me knowing that I worked hard enough to get an award,” she said. “To see where I am now, it’s awesome.”

Davis, whose best moments at goalkeeper this season likely came during the playoffs, is equally appreciative of her award.

“My sophomore year I was on the (All-STAR) team for the Star, and it was just nice,” said Davis, who plans to attend the University of Kentucky and pursue a pre-med degree. “I got injured my junior year, and coming back as a senior, I knew there were a lot of expectations for me to play well. I think the question was, ‘Is she going to come back and play like she did before?’

“It’s nice to be recognized again in the same fashion, particularly for myself in knowing I came back and played just as well as I did before,” Davis added. “It showed that my recovery process was a success, and it’s nice to know that everyone else recognized that, too.”

The standout goalkeeper said it was definitely a season to remember.

“I think we accomplished more than anyone thought we would,” she said. “Getting to the regional tournament was a totally different (level of) game (competition) than district. In district play I was challenged, but never to the point where I had to do much. I made a couple saves a game, and that was pretty much it. When we reached the regional tournament, we played those girls that can really attack and shoot, and that was when I had to really step up (and make a number of saves). The entire team had to really step up.

“So from district play to the regional quarterfinals, we had to make a complete shift in our game,” Davis added. “We knew we had to go out on the field and play the best game we could without exception. Coach Pedroza helped us a lot and told us we were capable of doing it. He told us, ‘You just have to go out and execute.’”

Guillen, likewise, was a key presence on the defensive end at sweeper for the Lady Hawks. She also was named defensive player of the year in 32-6A.

“Jackie was our best defender on a team that had 15 shutouts during the season,” Pedroza said. “She was in charge of the defense and made very good decisions defensively. She’s a fast, aggressive and smart player.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — Senior Taylor Gomez always wanted to play volleyball at the college level. On Thursday, she made that dream a reality by signing to play volleyball at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.

Gomez, a three-sport athlete who played basketball, track and volleyball, secured her college future Thursday and will graduate later today.

“This has always been a lifelong goal of mine to play at the college level,” Gomez said. “I see this as a great opportunity to help strengthen my game and be a part of a strong and winning program, and I will be able to get a college degree in the next four years.”

Gomez had a few other offers to play volleyball, but after a trip to the campus and after a tryout she felt like HTU was the place to be.

“The tryout went great, Gomez said. “I can tell the coaching staff will help me improve my game to the next level. What made me want to go there is just how receptive the coach was and how enthusiastic he was about the volleyball program, and how he stressed the importance of academics.”

Gomez was a part of two playoff teams her junior and senior year. This past fall, Gomez was named the District 32-4A defensive player of the year. Gomez also received the same award her junior season.

She finished with 171 kills, 146 digs, 30 blocks and 12 aces. Gomez was also named to the East all-star team.

“Taylor was our 2019 senior captain. she was a great leader and a well-competitive student athlete,” Rio Hondo volleyball coach Lizzette Esparza said. “She, along with her teammates, helped build the foundation for next season, and has set the bar for her teammates and future Lady Bobcats. I’m honored to have coached her, and I wish her the best. Coach Behnke at HTU is gaining a great kid with a great family.”

Gomez will look to play the middle blocker and outside hitter positions. She is prepared for the challenge of becoming a college athlete.

“I think the biggest difference will be the level of competition, everyone on the team excelled in high school, along with the intensity of the practices,” Gomez said.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Brownsville Veterans Memorial had a big season on the softball field, bringing home its third straight District 32-5A softball championship and making a run to the area playoffs in 2019.

It was only fitting that the Lady Chargers were represented well on the 32-5A all-district list.

Head coach Rayner Cardenas directed the Lady Chargers ship to a clean 14-0 district record and was named Coach of the Year.

Right behind Cardenas was senior pitcher Mia Anzaldua. The south paw received the district’s Most Valuable Player award after a record-setting year in the circle. Anzaldua threw 121 innings and whiffed 269 batters along with a dazzling 0.463 earned run average.

Brownsville Veterans freshman catcher Natalie Mendoza received Co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with Porter’s Edith De Leija.

Mercedes, who finished second in the district standings, had Angelique Rangel win Offensive Player of the Year and Reeana De La Torre earn Newcomer of the Year.

P.I., RIO HONDO RACK UP HONORS

Rio Hondo won its sixth straight District 32-4A title with a 13-1 league record and reached the Sweet 16 for a second time in three years.

Senior pitcher Erika Cortez provided the Lady Bobcats with her leadership and presence in the circle, pitching 43 innings with 85 punch outs, issued just four walks and posted a .65 ERA, earning her the district’s MVP award.

Rio Hondo sophomore Abbie Torris showed no signs of slowing down at the plate in 2019, swatting a team-high 29 hits, 22 RBIs and batted .674 through the district season on her way to being named Offensive Player of the Year.

Defensive player of the year went to Zapata’s junior hurler Selene Garza.

Port Isabel’s sophomore center fielder Whitney Zaloski was one of three players to receive Newcomer of the Year. Zaloski batted .429 with 15 RBIs. Rio Hondo’s freshman first baseman Alyssa Silguero also shared the honor, batting .265 with nine hits in 34 at bats. Joining them on the list was Eryn Granger from Zapata.

At the plate, Ava Moore represented the Lady Tarpons as Co-Designated Player of the Year. Moore batted .372 with 15 RBIs, while Rio Hondo’s Savannah Gonzalez shared the honor after batting .400 with 20 hits, 15 runs and 16 RBIs.

Port Isabel’s Vivi Cantu received Utility Player of the Year.

In district 32-3A, the Lyford Lady Bulldogs were the feel-good story on the 2019 season.

Lyford ran the table and went 34-0 until losing the final two games of the season to Santa Gertrudis Academy in the area round.

Lyford’s junior pitcher and slugger Jerrica Rojas received the district MVP award.

Rojas batted .647 with seven homers, 22 doubles and a total of 66 hits. In the circle, she threw 93.2 innings and won 20 games with 142 strike outs and an ERA of 1.27

Offensive Player of the Year went to Lyford’s Mikaela Lopez who batted .560 with 50 runs, 60 RBIs and 51 hits. The awards didn’t stop there for the Lady Bulldogs as Defensive Player of the Year went to Hannah Garza and Newcomer of the year went to freshman Hailey Pena.

Pena batted .512 on the year with 50 runs on 36 RBIs and 43 hits.

The Utility Player of the Year was earned by Lyford’s Melanie Guajardo and freshman Tiffani Alaniz received Designated Player of the Year.

Alaniz batted .479 with 42 RBIs, 34 runs and 34 hits.

Coach of the year went to the Lyford skipper Joey Rios.

All of the awards were unanimous for the Lady Bulldogs.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

District 32-6A turned out to be one of the tougher districts in the Rio Grande Valley again in 2019.

Highlighting the all-district list were district champion San Benito and Harlingen South.

Los Fresnos center fielder Reba Reyes received co-MVP honors with senior shortstop Krystal Gonzales of Harlingen South. Gonzales batted .480 this year for the Lady Hawks with 49 hits and helped South to a Sweet 16 berth. Reyes was also a key part of the Lady Falcons, as Los Fresnos clinched a playoff spot for the first time in four years.

Offensive player of the year went to San Benito’s sophomore catcher, Jordan Ramos. Ramos had a strong 2019 season during her first full year as a starter. Ramos batted .457 with 48 RBIs, eight homers and 43 hits. Ramos batted in the heart of the San Benito order and was a part of a second district title and a bi-district title.

Defensive player of the year went to Harlingen South sophomore pitcher Kylie Ruiz. Sophomore of the year went to Sam Campos of Los Fresnos and San Benito’s Megan Cavazos.

Freshman of the year went to the ever-dangerous Jaelyn Huerta of San Benito. The hard-hitting freshman swatted a team-high 11 homers and finished the year with 32 hits, 31 RBIs and a .432 batting average.

Brownsville Hanna put together a strong season and was the surprise team in 2019. The Lady Eagles clinched a postseason berth for the first time in six years and went toe-to-toe with Edinburg Vela in the bi-district round. Hanna skipper Greg Larson was tabbed coach of the year.

Designated player of the year went to Valarie Guevara of Los Fresnos and San Benito’s Steph Lopez. Utility player of the year was awarded to Brownsville Hanna’s Elizabeth Chacon, Harlingen High’s Zoe Rosas and Harlingen South’s Melba Rodriguez. Flex player of the year went to Brownsville Rivera’s Natalie Partida.

STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer

Hanna football and soccer star Miguel Payan signed to play soccer for Western Texas College on Friday in the Hanna auditorium.

Payan played kicker, free safety, wide receiver and quarterback during his time on the gridiron, and represented Hanna and the East squad in the Rio Grande Valley Coaches Association all-star game. He was a key member of an Eagles squad that captured a District 32-6A title and advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history.

“I just want to thank everybody who’s been through this journey with me,” Payan said. “Especially my coach, he’s been through a lot with me and he took me far.”

On the soccer pitch, Payan excelled as a defender, but also scored a key goal during the regional quarterfinal against Harlingen South to keep the Eagles’ playoff run alive. Hanna advanced to the regional semifinal, where the Eagles were defeated 3-2 by San Antonio Reagan.

“He’s helped the program tremendously on and off the field,” Hanna soccer coach Reyes Prado said.

Payan said the Western Texas coaching staff began to show interest in him after Harlingen South game and the Brownsville Futbol-BISD all-star game. Payan plans to study business.

Western Texas is a junior college in Snyder, 90 miles southeast of Lubbock. The Westerners compete in the NJCAA and the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

Payan shared the signing ceremony spotlight with soccer teammate Aldo Gonzalez. He said the opportunity to continue his soccer career with Gonzalez was a critical factor in his decision.

“It made me feel better, because I didn’t want to get there and not know anybody,” Payan said. “Here at Hanna, we’ve been fighting together.”

Gonzalez signs at Western Texas College

Hanna midfielder Aldo Gonzalez signed his intent to play soccer for Western Texas College on Friday in the school auditorium.

Speaking through translator and Hanna soccer coach Reyes Prado, Gonzalez expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play the sport he loves since joining the Eagles as a senior, and said he plans to study education at Western Texas and to enter into the coaching profession.

“He’s been very helpful to the team and to the program,” Prado said. “He’s very humble, he’s a very down-to-earth kid.”

Gonzalez played a significant role on an Eagles squad that advanced to the regional semifinal, tallying a goal during Hanna’s come-from-behind area-round playoff victory against Laredo United South.

“I’ve always had this dream since I was little,” Gonzalez said. “(I wanted) to be somebody in soccer. My family has been very supportive of me and my talent. I wanted to do something with it.”

Western Texas is a junior college in Snyder, 90 miles southeast of Lubbock. The Westerners compete in the NJCAA and the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

Gonzalez signed with Western Texas alongside teammate Miguel Payan, a defender for the Eagles. Like Payan, the Westerners’ coaching staff saw Gonzalez during the BISD all-star showcase. Gonzalez said he was excited that Payan would be joining him in the next chapter of his athletic and academic career.

“Thank God that I was placed there with Payan, who is like part of my family,” Gonzalez said. “He’s a good friend and teammate, and I won’t feel strange going to college by myself, which is a great part of going to college there. It’s eight or nine hours away, and hopefully we don’t get homesick but having each other around is going to help a lot.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — For a second time this week, San Benito has announced it will send one of its own to Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Senior first baseman Alejandro Ybarra is the latest Greyhounds player to sign on to play baseball for the Saints next fall. Ybarra made it official Friday.

“I’m just ready to get high school out of the way and get things going at the next level,” Ybarra said. “It is something I have been wanting to do my whole life. I’m a little nervous, but I’m more excited that nervous.”

Earlier in the week, Harlingen High’s John Ortega signed to play baseball for the Saints, and Ybarra teammate Tristian Montemayor also joined the team. Having Montemayor sign was a factor in helping Ybarra sign with the Saints.

“I took a visit a few weeks ago, and I meshed well with the players and I bonded with the coach, and I liked the campus and it is close to home. I figured if I knew someone there I could room with them and it would work out a little better. Tristian decided a few days before me that he wanted to go there and that helped my decision.”

Ybarra will join a roster filled with Rio Grande Valley products and with coach Bryan Aughney, who coached the Harlingen High Cardinals baseball team for five seasons.

“It is good that there is a group of Valley guys up there at OLLU,” Ybarra said. “There is talent here in the Valley. I went up there for a visit and I went to a game, and I met with Coach Aughney and we bonded well.”

Ybarra was a three-year letterman for the Greyhounds and played first base. The southpaw batted in the middle of the San Benito order and hit .355 with 29 hits, and he finished with a strong .967 fielding percentage.

With three Greyhounds signing to play baseball at the college level this year, it has caught the attention of the underclassmen in the program.

“This helps open up a pipeline for future Greyhound players to have an opportunity to play at the next level,” San Benito coach Jimmy Young said. “That is a blessing in itself. I have a great group of freshman that I think in time will go out and have an opportunity like these guys have had.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN—Senior shortstop Krystal Gonzales wrapped up a successful four-year run in a Lady Hawk uniform.

Now, after being the catalyst for Harlingen South this past season, Gonzales will take the next step on the field as a true shortstop after signing with Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.

“It was a small environment and when I got there coach Rodriguez told me there is a lot of 1-on-1 because it is a small private school and that is what I was looking for,” Gonzales said. “Coach Rodriguez told me I would be playing shortstop, so when she gave me that offer it was one that I couldn’t refuse, I love doing what I do at the shortstop position.”

With the Lady Hawks season ending earlier this week and Gonzales set to graduate, there were plenty of feelings when Gonzales put pen to paper.

“My emotions are a little all over the place right now,” she said. “I was hoping to graduate on the field, but that didn’t work out. But I’m just happy to be able to graduate with my class. I’m excited to be signing and to see all my family and friends here. Some of my family I hadn’t seen in a while because of the season, but I’m ready to get back on the field.”

On the current roster, there are eight former Rio Grande Valley athletes, with the most notable being former Weslaco Lady Panther Taylor Tafolla.

Gonzales has some familiarity with Tafolla through travel ball and during the regular season.

“My Kaos coach helped me in the recruiting process and he helped me get noticed by coach Roxanne Rodriguez and he has been a real big help in my life right now.” Gonzales said.

On the field, Gonzales reached the playoffs in each of her four seasons. As a sophomore, she helped South reach the Sweet 16 and in her junior year, the Lady Hawks reached the third round. This year, Harlingen South went 32-8 and reached the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years.

Gonzales batted a team-high .480, was second on the team in hits with 49, second on the team with eight homers and led the club in runs with 58.

“The past four years that we have had her she has matured so much,” said South head coach Elias Martinez. “She has helped our program to get to where we are now, making the sweet 16 and that is a big accomplishment to her and this senior class. We are going to miss her and she has left her mark here. She will forever be remembered here at Harlingen South.”