KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — The Harlingen Lady Cardinals began the 2017 volleyball season on Tuesday under new head coach Joslynn Torres.

The Lady Red Birds, which are loaded with youthful talent and peppered with a couple of cagey veterans, are geared up for a fresh start.

Torres, who is a Harlingen native and graduated from Harlingen South, is excited to be back in her home town. Torres was hired back in May and replaced Jennifer Martinez, who had been in charge since 2013 season.

“I’m excited to be back home,” said Torres. “I’m beyond excited to be working with these girls. They have so much talent and are willing to work for it. This morning we had over 120 girls come out and they worked hard because they want to see results.”

Torres is no stranger to leading a program. She is in her third season as a head coach and spent the last two seasons at Valley View High School.

She will have her work cut out for her, however, as the Lady Cards must contend with powerful league foes including Los Fresnos, Weslaco High and San Benito.

Last season the Lady Cards narrowly missed the postseason, finishing in fifth place. The program hasn’t made the playoffs since the 2014 season.

Torres said she is determined to right that wrong.

“We have so much knowledge on this coaching staff,” she said. “We have coach Sherry Hoskins, who was at San Antonio Brandeis. We have too much to offer the kids and were excited.

“Our first goal is to win district, but we have to set the bar high. We have the potential to win. I have never seen a group with so much pride and it’s awesome to see the pride here at Harlingen High.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Last season Harlingen High missed out on the playoffs and that absence has this year’s squad itching to return, and make a run at the District 32-6A title.

Tuesday marked the first day of the 2017 season and the Lady Cards hit the floor running with a pair of workouts. The first one was made up of volleyball drills, and that was followed by a strength and conditioning session.

The Lady Cards have a new head coach in Joslynn Torres along with six returning members from last year’s team. However, the squad will rely heavily on juniors Taegan Dickey and Kirsten Kattan.

“We know what has to be done this season,” said Dickey, who is a three-year letterman. “We came out strong today; everyone has the same goal and is on the same page. We didn’t have an offseason with Coach Torres so today is our first practice with her.”

Kattan, who is a two-year letterman, will be paired up with senior Yazmine Martinez in what looks to be a strong 1-2 punch with the duo set as outside hitters.

Kattan has also provided a fiery leadership to the underclassmen by leading them in stretches before practice.

“It’s all about showing the younger girls how to do things because they’re our future,” said Kattan. “I took it upon myself to lead them because when I was a freshman, I wanted somebody to help and lead me.”

Torres spoke highly of Dickey and Kattan.

“She has been my firecracker,” she said of Kattan. “The pride, the work ethic and the respect she has just gives me chills talking about it. I see her as a leader on this team. Anything I ask of her she is on it and ready to lead. Kirsten and Taegan are hard workers and I’m blessed to have them both.”

The Lady Cards begin their season with a scrimmage Friday at Sharyland Pioneer and then kick off the regular season next Tuesday in a tri-match at home.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

A former Harlingen Cardinal quarterback is giving back to his alma mater this summer.

Brandon Garza, who graduated from Harlingen High in 2014 and is currently at the University of Texas at San Antonio, is using his offseason to work out with the current Cardinals quarterbacks by giving them advice and drills at the position.

The Valley Morning Star was able to catch up with the former Red Bird signal caller.

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Q: What made you want to come back home and work out with the current QBs at HHS?

A: With Harlingen being my alma mater, I figured I could pass down my current knowledge with them and try my best to help them get ready for their upcoming season. When I’m done with school and playing football, I plan on opening my own strength and conditioning facility in Harlingen. I also plan on becoming a private QB coach and I want to teach QBs of all ages from the Valley various things I’ve learned throughout my experience at the Division 1 level.

Q: How long do you plan on working with the QBs?

A: I only get a couple of weeks throughout the year to come back to Harlingen due to the busy schedule of being a student-athlete at UTSA, but I will continue to help them as much as I can when I am in town.

Q: What experiences can you share with the younger QBs?

A: Sports can teach life lessons and throughout my career I have experienced both adversity and success. I can share with them everything it, takes physically and mentally, what it takes to be a quarterback at the high school level and the Division 1 college level.

Q: What does it mean for you to come back and help your alma mater?

A: It means everything. The more knowledge I can pass down to these younger guys, the better prepared they will be to handle anything thrown in their direction. These kids need a positive voice that can convince them they can do whatever they want in this life. They need someone to make them believe that the impossible is possible. The impossible being that no one from the Rio Grande Valley can get to the Division 1 level. I believe there are multiple kids that can get to that level.

Q: What’s your message to the QBs?

A: My message to all athletes in the entire Rio Grande Valley is to continue to chase your dreams and don’t stop until you reach them. Try to do everything you can to expose yourself to college programs across the country. Go to college camps and learn from college coaches.

Q: Before transferring to UTSA, you were at the University of Houston. How was your college experience at U of H?

A: It was amazing. I got to experience everything I ever dreamed of as a kid. I was able to receive a championship ring being (American Athletic) conference champions, and also being bowl champions after beating Florida State University (in the Peach Bowl). I got to learn from great coaches like Tom Herman (who is now the head coach at the University of Texas) and Major Applewhite, who was our offensive coordinator at the time and is now the head coach at the University of Houston. But I felt it was best for my football career to transfer out of Houston and continue playing at UTSA.

Q: What’s next for you at UTSA?

A: Due to NCAA transfer rules, I was ineligible and had to sit out last football season. But I am now eligible to play this upcoming season. College football has definitely been a process and I am going to continue to trust my process of when it is my time to play

Q: What’s your major?

A: My major is kinesiology exercise science.

Q: What can we expect from you this upcoming season?

A: Our starting QB is returning from last year so I will be in a backup role this season. But I live by the phrase, ‘if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.’ I will continue to work hard and trust the process of eventually playing.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — The search for a new head baseball coach at both Harlingen High and Harlingen South is over.

On Tuesday, the Harlingen CISD school board approved Juan Rangel as the new head coach for the Cardinals and Christopher Gracia was tabbed as the Hawks’ new skipper.

Rangel was previously on the coaching staff at San Benito and replaces Bryan Aughney, who left a few weeks ago after accepting the head baseball job at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Prior to his stint at Harlingen, Aughney had been the skipper at the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.

The Cardinals went 9-5 in District 32-6A this past season and made the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. However, the team dropped three in a row to end the regular season and were swept out of the postseason by the Edinburg North Cougars in the bi-district round.

Meanwhile, Gracia was already on the baseball coaching staff at South and replaces longtime coach Tony Leal, who had been the Hawks’ skipper since 2005 and led the program to the UIL Class 5A state title game just two years later in 2007. Prior to South, Leal had coached at Los Fresnos (186-99) and La Feria (2000-03). In 12 years as a head coach, Leal has 304 career wins.

The Hawks were 6-8 in 32-6A play this season and missed out on the postseason as the league’s fifth-place team. However, they ended the 2017 campaign by winning their final four games against San Benito, Weslaco High, Weslaco East and Brownsville Rivera.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Harlingen High will be looking for a new head softball coach for the upcoming season as Cassandra Hernandez was relieved of her duties earlier this month, she confirmed Friday afternoon.

According to the Harlingen CISD website, the position became officially available this week.

Hernandez spent two seasons as the Lady Cards’ skipper and had an 11-17 district record.

In her first season, Hernandez guided the Lady Cards to a playoff berth, but fell in the bi-district round against Edinburg North. This past season, the Lady Red Birds missed the playoffs and finished with a 4-10 league mark.

The job opening marks the second softball position up for grabs in District 32-6A as Kristy Leal left San Benito after accepting the Mercedes job earlier this month.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

Harlingen High product Daniel Anciso will be reuniting with his former high school baseball coach Bryan Aughney at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Anciso, a 2015 Harlingen graduate, spent the last two years at Blinn Junior College in Brenham. Meanwhile, Aughney spent five seasons as the Cards’ skipper before accepting the head coaching position at OLLU earlier this summer.

“I’m excited to play for Coach Aughney again,” said Anciso. “He taught me a lot about the game when I played for him in high school.”

Anciso signed with Blinn after graduation and played two seasons for the Buccaneers. After his first season, he made a position move to third base and took on the designated hitter role along with playing catcher sparingly.

“My first year I didn’t start because I had an injury that kept me back, but I was a DH and played third base my second year,” he said. “My coach needed me to step in and play third because it was a position we needed filled at that time.

“It was a tough transition from catcher, but it’s what the team needed and I was able to play three different positions. I enjoyed my time at Blinn. It was a great experience. I played with a great group of guys and that’s something I’ll never forget.”

Anciso said he plans to continue his studies in kinesiology at OLLU, which is part of the Red River Athletic Conference. Last season the Saints went 13-12 in conference play and 23-27 overall.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI — Harlingen South flexed its muscles and won back-to-back games to bolt down a Class 6A regional quarterfinal series win Saturday afternoon against South San Antonio at Cabaniss Field.

The Lady Hawks will now face San Antonio Brennan in the regional semifinals later this week.

After taking a thrilling 8-7 win in Game 2, the Lady Hawks held on for a 4-3 Game 3 victory as South San had runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh.

After the final out, there was question as to whether a ball that was hit to third base was fair or foul. It was ruled fair, sending the Lady Hawks and their fans into a euphoric frenzy.

“The umpires made the right call. It was fair and we knew that,” said South coach Elias Martinez. “That’s Lady Hawk softball at its finest. Last night didn’t go our way, but we don’t wilt under pressure.”

“Today we had to come out and win two, and our girls fought until the bitter end. They always believe in each other and today was one to remember. They (South San) won their district and we knew it would be tough, but I told our girls we can play with anybody. Playing in District 32-6A helped us prepare for the playoffs. Our girls just don’t know the word quit and that has shown all season.”

After three scoreless innings to start Game 3, the Lady Green Birds broke things open with a three-run fourth inning. Kaitlynn De La Fuente got the inning going with a leadoff single. The Lady Hawks followed with consecutive RBI doubles from Kayla Rogers and Kelsey Rivera giving them a 3-0 advantage.

Harlingen South relied on the arms of Krystal Gonzales and De La Fuente, who took turns as both catcher and pitcher.

De La Fuente kept the Lady Bobcats’ bats silent with five shutout innings while scattering four hits. The duo fought off the heat and gutted out a valiant effort.

De La Fuente showed her versatility by starting game 1 and 2 in center field and played both catcher and pitcher in Game 3.

“I’m at a loss for words,” said De La Fuente. “This is amazing how we came back and won both games. I’m exhausted; it was defiantly a hot one today, but we didn’t use that as an excuse. I knew Krystal and I had each other’s backs, and we did a good job on picking each other up.”

South San Antonio rebounded with a three-run sixth inning that tied the score at 3-3. However, in the top of the seventh, South regained a 4-3 lead after Kytana Muniz scored on a fielder’s choice.

Muniz, a freshman, had quite the series, batting 4 for 10 with two runs, two doubles and a triple.

Senior Ashley Reyna, who went 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles in Game 2, went 0 for 3 in the third game, but still checked in a 3 for 9 series.

“As a senior, making it to the Sweet 16 is the best feeling,” said Reyna. “We never gave up and we just kept playing. I felt good all series at the plate and I thought I saw the ball well. We’re excited to keep playing softball and none of us is ready to turn in our stuff.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI — A pair of runs in the first and third inning gave South San Antonio an early 4-0 lead.

Unfortunately for Harlingen South, it was a lead the Lady Bobcats would not relinquish as the Lady Hawks fell 6-2 in their Class 6A regional quarterfinals series opener at Cabaniss Field on Friday.

The Lady Hawks will now look to win two in a row as Game 2 is set for 11:30 this morning back at Cabaniss. Game 3, if the Lady Green Birds can force one, will follow 30 minutes afterward.

“We got off to a slow start and our early mistakes cost us,” said South coach Elias Martinez. “They took advantage of our early mistakes but, hey, tomorrow is a new day and a new game, and we will go from there.”

The Lady Bobcats managed to hold a 4-0 lead midway through the third inning. For the first two innings, South San pitcher Alyssa Montes kept the Lady Hawks’ sticks off balance with her offspeed pitches.

In the bottom of the third inning, South’s Kaitlynn De La Fuente drew a walk and Krystal Gonzales reached on a base hit with two outs. South needed a momentum shift and got one from senior Ashley Reyna, who slugged a two-run double cutting the deflect to 4-2.

The Lady Hawks had their opportunities with runners on base in both the second and third inning. However, Reyna’s two-run double was the only offense South managed to muster up in the third inning.

Junior pitcher Daisy Gallegos settled down midway through her start, but surrendered another two-run frame in the top of the fifth, extending South San Antonio’s lead to 6-2.

After the two-run inning, Montes settled down and kept the Lady Hawks’ offense at bay as she retired the side in order in the final four innings.

Offensively, South San Antonio swung away for 13 hits while the Lady Hawks finished with just four.

Harlingen South will go back to the drawing board today and looks to bring a patient approach to the plate for the remainder of the series.

“Patience and discipline is what we need to do at the plate. However, it wasn’t the pitching that stalled us. We just made mistakes early and we can’t do that at this stage in the playoffs,” concluded Martinez.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — As you look up and down the Harlingen South softball roster, the one thing that sticks out is the team’s youth.

But while the lineup may be youthful, the 2016-17 Lady Hawks have sprung from their nest and have played like a group of wily veterans.

Of the starting nine, only two are seniors. The rest of the lineup is made up of two juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen. In fact, the top three in the batting order goes: sophomore, junior and sophomore.

The youth of the club at one point in the season was worrisome since South coaches didn’t know how the youngsters would react to the playoff atmosphere. However, it’s safe to say that the young flock has found its form.

After taking down perennial power Edinburg North then Laredo United in the first two rounds of the postseason, South now has a new challenge in South San Antonio, which most recently ousted San Benito from the playoffs.

Harlingen South has now won consecutive one-game playoffs and is riding high into their Class 6A regional quarterfinal.

The Lady Hawks lock horns with South San Antonio in a best-of-three series to be played at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi.

Game 1 begins at 7:30 tonight, Game 2 starts at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Game 3, if needed, will be played 30 minutes after Game 2.

“The kids are enjoying their time in the playoffs,” said South coach Elias Martinez. “We’re crossing our t’s and dotting our i’s; that’s a little joke we have going, but the kids know it’s important to stay fundamentally sound. It’s been a tough season with all the injuries, but like I said last week, we’re getting healthy at the right time and it’s showing.”

The Lady Hawks will have their hands full against South San Antonio. The Lady Bobcats, like the Lady Hawks, are riding into this series hot and have relied on their youngsters in big spots.

South San Antonio’s offense broke out in games 2 and 3 against San Benito this past weekend and now the Lady Cats are staring at their second straight Valley opponent.

The Lady Hawks, meanwhile, will make a second trip to Cabaniss Field in as many weeks and have a taste of what it’s like playing there.

“We have a good idea on what they will bring,” said junior center fielder Kaitlynn De La Fuente. “It helps that we’ve played there already. The outfield there (at Cabaniss) is bigger than our field so as an outfielder, I’ve adjusted to it.”

Meanwhile, sophomore Krystal Gonzales said the team’s recent playoff experience has helped mentally prepare the Lady Hawks.

“Us coming this far means a lot; we’re trying extra hard for our seniors because we want them to have a memorable senior season,” said Gonzales. “Playing in back-to-back one-gamers is hard to pull through because we know it’s a win-or-go-home deal. But it’s all helped us grow up and gain experience, and now we are playing in a series and we feel like we’re ready to go.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — With only a handful of teams starting their spring football festivities, Harlingen South’s got into full swing this week.

The Hawks, under second-year head coach Brian Ricci, are looking to clinch a postseaon berth for the first time since the 2013 season.

“The kids had a great offseason and they’re excited to be out here and play some football,” said Ricci.

Harlingen South is set to return four starters offensively and five starters on the defensive side of the ball. The Hawks finished the 2016 season 5-5overall and 2-5 in District 32-6A.

“We lost a lot of seniors, but we do have guys with some experience who are ready to step in. We will still be young, but our guys are up for the challenge,” Ricci said.

At this time last year, the Hawks were getting acclimated with their new coach and his new system. This season, however, both Ricci and the Hawks have a hit the ground running with a year of Ricci’s system under their belts.

“At this time last year, we were starting from scratch,” said Ricci. “We’re way ahead of where we were last year and that’s great. This time around we’re just refreshing and looking to add some things.”

With the daunting 32-6A schedule and multiple positions open for competition the Hawks will have their work cut out for themselves.

“We set some goals coming into spring ball. What we’re trying to accomplish is giving every kid an opportunity to show us what he can do,” said Ricci. “There is no set depth chart so we’re using this as an evaluation period.”

Harlingen South will kick off the 2017 season Sept. 1 at McAllen High.