By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — In suiting up nine players this season, Edinburg High coach Deanna Dominguez has come to remind her team that she isn’t too concerned about the quantity of players on her roster, but rather the quality.

She graduated two seniors and returned six from last year’s area-qualifying squad, but the Lady Bobcats have been able to sustain their momentum with several players filling a variety of roles. On the heels of winning the Donna ISD Tournament, Edinburg kept alive its winning streak, beating Edcouch-Elsa 25-11, 25-20, 25-19 on Tuesday.

Edinburg High, which improved to 9-0 on the season, had five players with at least nine kills in their first match since winning the Donna tournament on Saturday. Dezi Marmolejo, who was named the tournament’s MVP, led the way with nine kills, two blocks, one ace, 17 digs and 32 assists.

Teammate Marissa Arce had 11 kills, four blocks, one ace and eight digs. And Amber Reyes delivered 11 kills, one block, one ace and four digs.

“We have a really small team, so everyone’s getting some action,” Dominguez said.

After going 6-0 in last week’s tournament, the Lady Bobcats opened the first match Tuesday leading 7-2 on a kill from Arce, courtesy of Marmolejo, before closing out the set on a 7-1 run.

Edcouch-Elsa topped a 6-0 run on Ale Martinez’s back-row kill to come to within 20-18 in Game 2. But after the Lady Yellowjackets missed a dig to give Edinburg a 24-20 lead, Marmolejo fed Tianna Howard (nine kills, five blocks, three digs) to take a 2-0 advantage.

Though Edinburg has put together impressive individual statistics, Dominguez said, their biggest test will be in how the team comes together.

“You see moments of greatness, and then there’s some lag,” Dominguez said. “But I think most teams go through that.”

With players shuffling through multiple positions, the Lady Bobcats are still finding their way on the court. Dominguez said eventually she hopes their timing and spacing on the court helps them put away balls. She joked that she has asked Edcouch-Elsa coach Ofelia Griffith to divulge her secrets on the defensive end, considering the Lady Yellowjackets often are able to extend possessions.

“You think it’s going down, and somehow, someway they find a way to get it over,” Dominguez said. “If you’re sleeping on the job, they’re going to get after you.”

Those instances occurred during Game 3 on Tuesday, when Edcouch-Elsa maintained a lead or at least tied until it was 9-9. That’s when the Lady Yellowjackets either hit the ball too deep or fell short of getting over the net, allowing Edinburg High to go up 11-9 before Arce’s kill.

Though E-E never led after that, it caught Edinburg at 15- and 17-all. E-E largely struggled to score from there, as it had in stretches throughout the match, with balls either hitting the net or failing to stay in play.

Marmolejo, the District 31-6A Co-MVP in 2015, made things even more challenging for E-E on Tuesday in the manner in which she directed the offense.

Teammate Maria Reyes, who is playing in her first varsity season, also made her mark in their serve-receive attack. She finished with 10 digs and two aces.

“Defensively, we’re good,” Marmolejo said. “We’ve come a long way. We’ve lost two girls, but I think we’re still a strong group and we could go far with this group.”

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VALLEY-VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Aug. 16

Non-District

Edinburg High def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-11, 25-20, 25-19

McAllen High def. Brownsville Rivera 25-17, 25-21, 25-17

Grulla def. Rio Grande City 25-20, 25-17, 25-20

Valley View def. Weslaco High 13-25, 26-28, 25-14, 27-25, 15-8

Donna North def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-15, 25-13, 25-17

McAllen Rowe def. Los Fresnos 25-15, 25-22, 25-11

Mission High def. Weslaco High 25-14, 25-16, 25-19

PSJA North def. Hidalgo 25-14, 25-9, 21-25, 25-18

McAllen Memorial def. Sharyland High 25-11, 25-18, 25-22

Sharyland Pioneer def. La Joya High 25-13, 25-11, 25-17

Mercedes def. La Feria 25-17, 26-24, 15-25, 25-15

Harlingen High def. Edinburg North 25-23, 11-25, 25-19, 25-19

Mission Veterans Memorial def. Brownsville Veterans Memorial 22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 8-25, 15-8

Edinburg Vela def. San Benito 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17

Laredo LBJ def. Roma 25-9, 25-21, 25-14

PSJA Southwest def. Rio Hondo

Donna High at PSJA Memorial, not reported

VALLEY-VOLLEYBALL SUMMARIES

Tuesday’s Matches

Non-District

EDINBURG HIGH DEF. EDCOUCH-ELSA

25-11, 25-20, 25-19

EDINBURG HIGH — Dezi Marmolejo 9 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace, 17 digs, 32 assists; Marrisa Arce 11 kills, 4 blocks, 1 ace, 8 digs; Amber Reyes 11 kills, 1 block, 1 ace, 4 digs; Tianna Howard 9 kills, 5 blocks, 3 digs; Natalie Martinez 9 kills, 4 blocks; Elizabeth Olivarez 26 digs, 1 ace; Maria Reyes 10 digs, 2 aces; Renee Ponce 11 assists , 1 kill.

EDCOUCH-ELSA — Jackie Alvarado 33 digs; Alinah Rodriguez 12 assists, 6 digs; Ale Martinez 3 blocks; Maddie Acevedo 10 kills, 10 digs; Paloma Ybarra 4 kills, 1 assist, 1 dig, 1 block.

RECORD — Edinburg High 9-0; Edcouch-Elsa 4-5.

McALLEN HIGH DEF. BROWNSVILLE RIVERA

25-17, 25-21, 25-17

McALLEN HIGH — Carter Helmcamp 5 aces, 4 kills, 1 dig, 3 blocks, 37 assists; Victoria Rogers 11 kills, 3 digs; Julia Monday 16 kills, 1 dig; Sydney Pemelton 10 kills, 1 block; Taylor Helmcamp 4 kills; Kellie Woodin 12 digs.

BROWNSVILLE RIVERA — Not reported.

RECORD — McAllen High 10-1.

GRULLA DEF. RIO GRANDE CITY

25-20, 25-17, 25-20

GRULLA — Delma Ozuna 5 aces, 8 kills, 2 assists, 10 digs, 2 blocks; Caitlyn Rodriguez 2 aces, 1 kill, 2 assists, 12 digs; Larissa Martinez 3 aces, 1 kill, 6 assists, 6 digs; Maxine Solis 4 aces, 2 kills, 11 assists, 3 digs; Analuz Velasquez 2 kills, 22 digs; Eveline Saenz 3 kills, 3 digs; Abigail Flores 1 ace, 4 kills, 4 digs; Jenny Anzaldua 1 block, 1 kill; Amarayza Huerta 5 aces, 4 digs.

RIO GRANDE CITY — Not reported.

RECORD — Grulla 2-1.

VALLEY VIEW DEF. WESLACO HIGH

13-25, 26-28, 25-14, 27-25, 15-8

VALLEY VIEW — Kumary Castenda 20 kills; Karla Ibarra 6 kills; Mariela Gaytan 6 kills; Iris Uribe 5 kills.

WESLACO HIGH — Not reported.

RECORD — Not reported.

DONNA NORTH DEF. LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN

25-15, 25-13, 25-17

DONNA NORTH — I’Dasha Sorrell 10 aces, 9 kills; Evelyn De Leon 3 aces, 6 kills; DeeAnn De Leon 4 aces, 6 kills; Nicole Rodriguez 20 assists.

JUAREZ-LINCOLN — Not reported.

RECORD — Donna North 3-3.

McALLEN ROWE DEF. LOS FRESNOS

25-15, 25-22, 25-11

LOS FRESNOS — Not reported.

McALLEN ROWE — Nicole Reyes 5 kills, 1 dig, 8 blocks; Amanda Martinez 13 kills, 7 digs, 3 blocks; Andrea Gomez 14 digs; Renee Alonzo 2 kills, 2 aces; Jackelyn Alaniz 15 kills, 1 ace; Adriana Martinez 17 assists, 3 aces, 13 digs, 2 blocks; Kayla Cruz 10 digs; Vanessa Lopez 17 assists, 3 aces, 14 digs, 4 blocks.

RECORD — McAllen Rowe 9-3.

MISSION HIGH DEF. WESLACO HIGH

25-14, 25-16, 25-19

WESLACO HIGH — Not reported.

MISSION HIGH — Lissete Vela 11 kills, 3 aces; Emily Alvarado 10 kills, 9 assists; Maria Garcia 6 kills, 4 aces, 2 blocks; Anyssa Aguilar 4 aces, 12 assists; Clarissa Gonzalez 7 blocks; Jazmine Sustaita 16 digs.

RECORD — Not reported.

PSJA NORTH DEF. HIDALGO

25-14, 25-9, 21-25, 25-18

HIDALGO — Not reported.

PSJA NORTH — Stephanie Crispin 19 kills, 2 blocks; Carla Muro 11 kills, 2 blocks; Ashley Garza 6 kills, 2 aces; Melissa Palacios 10 digs; Alexia Salinas 9 digs, 4 aces; Samantha Enriquez 37 assists, 2 aces.

RECORD — PSJA North 7-4.

McALLEN MEMORIAL DEF. SHARYLAND HIGH

25-11, 25-18, 25-22

SHARYLAND HIGH — Not reported.

McALLEN MEMORIAL — Jocelynn Everage 13 kills, 4 aces, 13 digs, 2 assists; Taylor Marburgr 6 kills, 7 assists, 6 digs; Samantha Perez 4 assists; DD Ibarra 7 kills, 6 digs, 3 aces; Emily Whitworth 5 kills, 1 ace; Valeria Trevino 5 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace.

RECORD — McAllen Memorial 10-1.

SHARYLAND PIONEER DEF. LA JOYA HIGH

25-13, 25-11, 25-17

SHARYLAND PIONEER — Brianna Ramos 5 aces, 4 digs; Audrey Smith 5 kills, 17 assists, 4 digs; Caitlyn Cottrell 4 kills, 1 dig; Mariah Youngblood 10 kills; Mikayla Zimmerer 5 kills; Savannah James 10 kills; 6 digs; 1 ace, 16 assists.

LA JOYA HIGH — Not reported.

RECORD — Not reported.

MISSION VETERANS DEF. BROWNSVILLE VETERANS

22-25, 25-17, 25-17, 8-25, 15-8

MISSION VETERANS — Makenzie Gerlach 11 kills, 11 digs; Iliana Contreras 5 kills, 12 assists, 4 digs; Karyna Lozano 11 digs; Andrea De La Garza 9 kills, 19 digs; Alex Jimenez 12 kills, 12 digs, 2 blocks; D’Iyza 4 kills, 5 digs, 2 blocks; Veronika 4 assists, 1 dig; Darian Garza 1 assist, 1 dig; Valerie De La Fuente 3 kills, 13 assists, 7 digs, 1 block.

BROWNSVILLE VETERANS — Not reported.

RECORD — Not reported.

EDINBURG VELA DEF. SAN BENITO

25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-17

EDINBURG VELA — Jaida Muhammad 17 kills, 18 digs; Nicole Avelar 15 kills, 9 digs; Julissa Cuellar 23 assists.

SAN BENITO — Not reported.

RECORD — Not reported.

By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER

SAN JUAN — A year ago, PSJA High coach Steve Marroquin entered two-a-days with virtually an entirely new team.

With only three returning starters, the Bears were tasked with replacing 35 players it had graduated from their 2014 playoff team. They did that with a collection off first-year varsity players, and trudged through a 1-9 season, tied for last place in district.

“We were swamped with a lot underclassmen feeling their way out,” Marroquin said. “It was a rough year. But I tell you what, because of those bumps and bruises, they’ve bonded well and they’re united.”

Marroquin is banking on that familiarity, and physical maturation, to lift them from the district cellar to playoff contention once again. They bring back 27 lettermen and 14 starters, including eight on offense.

Seniors Nathaniel Herrera and Mike Portillo stabilized the offensive line a year ago, and they’re accompanied by juniors Orly Huerta and Jacob Gonzalez. David Chapa also joins the mix. All return after playing a big role in creating holes for their running attack, which accounted for nearly half of its offense in 2015.

PSJA has two dependable running threats with Joachim Almaguer and Mark Castillo. A sprinter who ran for 600 all-purpose yards last year, Almaguer will divide his time between running back, receiver and kick off and punt returner. Castillo, a three-year letterman and tailback, generated close to 400 yards of offense last year.

“I call them thunder lightning,” Marroquin said. “Just having those two is invaluable. Not just for the team, but for the quarterback. We’re expecting big things on the offensive side.”

Sophomore Trey Guajardo will start under center this year. He spent the first five games of 2015 on the freshmen squad, before being promoted to varsity. He was one of five signal callers the Bears auditioned throughout the year, making his first start in the final game of the regular season, a 27-9 win over Donna North.

Guajardo completed 2 of 6 passes for 18 yards in that game, but he made his impact felt rushing the ball, where he scored once and picked up 16 carries for 160 yards.

“Everything that I’ve noticed since I’ve watched him in the middle ranks up to now is that the team always rallies around him,” Marroquin said. “Even the younger guys, they see that and they feed off of that.”

With their two receivers gone, Anthony Dunaway will likely be one of Marroquin’s primary targets in their spread offense. A three-year starter, Dunaway finished the year scoring four touchdowns in the last three games, and Marroquin said he expects his multi-sport athlete to have “a breakout year.”

BRINGING THE ‘D’

Though his defensive players are undersized, Marroquin expressed confidence in their performance heading into this season, especially with the secondary.

“Everybody says it starts up front and it does,” Marroquin said. “The game is won in the trenches. But you have to be strong in the back or it’s going to be a long night.”

The Bears did a formidable job in that regard, with the defense allowing 30 percent of its yards through the air. The team finished last in district in points (39.4) and yards (404.4) allowed per game last year, but they’re encouraged by their progress during two-a-days.

“We’re improved in the secondary and in the box,” said linebacker A.J. Gomez, one of the team’s better defensive players a year ago. “We lifted, we ran, we did everything as a team to get better. We just learned never to stop playing.”

CHANGES TO STAFF

The Bears beefed up their coaching staff over the offseason, adding longtime RGV coach Roy Peña as a defensive coordinator. Peña enters his 40th coaching season.

Tommy Sauceda, formerly the Donna North head coach, will take over as offensive coordinator. Sauceda is tasked with improving an offense that last year averaged 12.8 points per game, last in district.

The Bears’ 265.1 yards per game last year was sixth-best out of the eight teams in district.

[email protected]

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

PSJA HIGH’S PROGNOSIS
With far more returners in place than a year ago, the Bears find themselves in better position to compete for a postseason berth. Much of it will depend in their maturation, and how they adapt to a new system on both sides of the ball.
Projected 2016 record: 4-6
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Steve Marroquin
Year at school: Fourth
Record at Southwest: 13-18

By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — Though PSJA Southwest returns five starters on each side of the ball, coach Jesus Reyes has maintained that all 22 slots remain open ahead of the upcoming season.

That message, he hopes, will help set the tone for a competitive two-a-day stretch for the Javelinas, who are coming off a 3-7 season.

“We tell the kids, ‘You don’t own a position,'” Reyes said. “‘You played there last year, but that position doesn’t belong to you. You have three weeks to earn it.'”

Ahead of its fifth varsity campaign, PSJA Southwest returns 25-27 players, its largest since the program started. Generally, in past years, it has had between 12-15.

Reyes is hoping that familiarity will aide the Javelinas, who embark on a new challenge this season. In moving up from Class 5A to 6A, Southwest finds itself last in enrollment among the eight teams in District 31-6A.

It will continue to employ a wing-T offense, and operate out of multiple formations on defense.

Last year, Southwest scored 18.2 points per game and allowed an average of 30.0 points — both statistical categories ranking fifth among the eight district teams. They generated the third-most offensive yards, with 80 percent coming on the ground.

Justin Corona, a speedy fullback, is among a stable of running threats competing for carries this year. Orlando Treviño, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior, should stabilize that offensive line.

After averaging 277.7 yards on the ground last year, Reyes has little concern about what the Javelinas could generate with their run game. What he’s hoping to establish, however, is their aerial attack after averaging just 65.6 yards last season.

“We told the kids, we need to get to at least 1,000 yards,” Reyes said. “We’re going to rush; that’s our bread and butter. We’re going to get our 3,000 (after finishing with 2,777 last year). We just need to improve our passing.”

As district champions at the freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels in track and field, Reyes is hoping to utilize some of that speed at wide receiver and defensive back. Juan Espinoza, Ricky Cantu and Oscar Garay return after competing in the 4×1 and 4×2 last season.

“With all of us returning, the secondary is looking pretty stable,” said Espinoza, a three-year letterman. “We look pretty fast down the line. It’s just hard, relentless effort.”

Espinoza will see time at cornerback after playing strong safety last year. Garay, who will likely divide his team at defensive back and receiver, believes the upperclassmen have taken on more of a leadership role this year, looking to snap a five-year playoff drought.

“We’re just gotten stronger, faster and we’re more united as a team,” he said. “Whatever comes, comes.”

QUARTERBACK BATTLE

The starting role under center will likely come to one of three players: Michael Maravilla, Joe Salinas or Jose Zamora.

The three are returning letterman, and are vying to become the program’s third quarterback in five years.

Salinas, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior, has impressed the staff with his size and speed during two-a-days. Maravilla and Zamora have made their mark with their strong arms.

“We just have to find the one man who’s going to make the difference,” Reyes said.

Maravailla, a senior, also played at receiver last year.

STAYING HEALTHY

Amid injuries, the Javalinas struggled to stay in the playoff race, posting a 2-5 district record and finishing in sixth place.

They lost three starters due to varying ailments, including a starting center who was hurt running drills during practice.

“There’s freak accidents,” Reyes said. “Like everyone else, we just have to stay healthy. That doesn’t mean we’re going to tone it down, but we just have to be smarter as a staff, especially with this heat.”

[email protected]

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

PSJA SOUTHWEST’S PROGNOSIS
As the smallest school in their district, depth and health will be of utmost concern for the Javelinas, who sustained key injuries last year.

Projected 2016 record: 4-6
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Jesus Reyes
Year at school: Fifth
Record at Southwest: 12-28

By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER

HIDALGO — Though Hidalgo has five returning starters on each side of the ball, coach David Duty can say with confidence that his defense is ahead of the offense at this point during two-a-days.

That’s because the Pirates didn’t graduate any one of their linebackers from Duty’s first season at the helm, in which they finished second in district in yards allowed.

“That’s huge,” Duty said. “The rest of the defense, we’re filling it out by getting some guys that fell out of the program. We went out, hit the hallways and recruited. They don’t have the experience, but they’re big kids and they could move.”

When he took over last season, Duty became the third coach in four years at Hidalgo. Tasked with trying to turn around a program that went 5-16 in the previous two years, Duty went 2-7 overall, including 0-4 in district, in setting a new foundation.

Duty installed a pistol formation on offense, and a 4-3 alignment on defense. Now in their second year, players are finding comfort with that familiarity.

“Nothing’s changed,” said Michael Valle, a senior linebacker and running back. “Just the intensity and the leadership.”

A three-year letterman, Valle finds himself having to carry a significant load this year on both sides of the ball. Despite returning five starters, the Pirates will have a new look on the line, especially with two injuries.

Valle leads a linebacker unit that features Isaac Aleman and Andy Hernandez. They have Carlos Betanzos at defensive tackle, and Bryan Nunez at cornerback. On the offensive side, the Pirates have a quick receiving corps with Marco Bella and Ernie Solis. Bella returns after qualifying for regionals in the triple jump, and Solis has proven himself a faster runner in the open field.

Bella, who will also play safety, is looking to play a bigger role, after filling in for Eliud Castillo following a midseason injury.

“I’m already used to (the starting role) from last year, so I feel prepared,” Bella said.

Bella was among the candidates considered for the starting quarterback spot, replacing Peter Quiroz, who ran and pass for more than 1,000 yards his senior year. But Duty opted to go with the younger Bryan Aleman, who sat out as a freshman last season with a broken collarbone.

During Friday’s scrimmage, Aleman impressed the coaching staff with a 70-yard run in which he broke and scored before it was called back.

“He’s going to make plays for us,” Duty said. “If he’s really good, we’re going to be really good. I don’t want to put all the pressure on him, but he’s shown a lot of good things. He’s understanding what we need to do, and we’re bringing him along smoothly.”

BIGGER TURNOUT

Numbers have been an issue in recent history at Hidalgo, though Duty said he was encouraged by the 60 players who showed up to practice the day before their first scrimmage. Part of that, he said, could be attributed to their new schedule.

Rather than start early in the morning, Duty chose to have practices from 7 to 9 p.m. during their second week as a result of in-service. That turnout, he said, has forced him to consider having all of two-a-days in the evening next year.

“Some of the kids that had to work in the mornings that were not able to be here are now here,” Duty said. “We come from a community where the parents teach them to work, and you have to respect that.”

GRUELING TEST

Hidalgo takes on two Class 6A programs (La Joya Palmview, PSJA Southwest) in scrimmages before the season.

Though that’s two classifications higher than his Pirates, Duty said his players are embracing the challenge.

“We’re facing big-time teams because in our district we have big-time teams,” Duty said. “We have a mountain in front of us, and we have to attack it in incremental steps.”

[email protected]

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

HIDALGO’S PROGNOSIS

Hidalgo faces an uphill battle in trying to qualify for the postseason with plenty of new skill players in place.

Projected record: 3-7

COACH’S TENURE

Coach: David Duty

Year at school: Second

Career record: 2-7

By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER

MONTE ALTO — Earlier this year, Osiel Canales took over the program at Monte Alto, replacing coach Cesar Castillo, who left to take an assistant job at Donna North.

For the past four or five years, Canales had been away from football, leading the baseball and basketball teams. So he said he wasn’t privy to the ins and outs of the football team, and why it struggled to win district games, let alone compete for a playoff berth.

His focus now, he said, is keeping a positive attitude and looking forward.

“It’s just listening to suggestions (from players and coaches),” he said. “A lot of positive reinforcement. I’m not saying we’re 100 percent ready, but we’ll get there.”

The past three years have tested the players’ resolve. The Blue Devils haven’t won a district game since their first year, in 2012, when they finished 4-6 overall and 3-3 in district. Now in District 16-3A, Division I, Monte Alto plays a compact schedule — 10 games, but with only four district outings.

The previous two years, the fourth and final playoff berth in the five-team district went to teams that won only one district game — Cotulla and Freer.

Their goal, as it’s been the past four years, is to break that hurdle.

One of the more challenging aspects in that mission is Monte Alto’s lack of numbers. Historically, the program hasn’t had enough to feed more than one team. In fact, even at the Class 3A level, the Blue Devils have found themselves on the lower end of roster size within their district.

Canales, however, is encouraged by the turnout during two-a-days, saying he’s close to reaching a 30-man roster. As school gets under way, he anticipates that number growing. For now, though, it seems like many will have to play both ways, like Stephen Baxter, a returning wide out. The senior will double as a backup quarterback and starting cornerback.

“It’s an honor to go both ways to help your team,” Baxter said. “We’ve had to grow up fast here, knowing we had to compete (both ways because of low numbers). … But we feel pretty confident in our abilities to get out there and start a tradition at Monte Alto.”

Under Canales, Monte Alto will run a spread, utilizing some of their speed with a deep receiver corps, like last year. They’re hoping, however, to test out their run game in the early going, and seeing if they could keep defenses honest with Hector Carlos, Damian Martinez and Alex Sanchez.

On defense, it is implementing a 4-3 lineup. Junior linebacker Marcos Oseguera figures to play a prominent role there once he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Like past years, the Blue Devils will have six non-district games to sort out position battles and implementing a new system.

“Once we get a few weeks under our belt — a month or two, a couple games — it’ll come,” Canales said. “The learning is happening quickly. They’re internalizing everything fast. They’re like sponges. And it all comes back to their attitudes. If you come in with a good attitude, you’re going to learn.”

UNDER CENTER

Benito Galvan is the presumptive starter under center.

Canales lauded his dual-threat quarterback for his athleticism, saying he’s very agile and possesses a strong arm. Though this is his time operating in a spread offense, Galvan has impressed the coaching staff with his ability to lead the offense.

“He’s got tremendous speed, long legs, a good arm,” Canales said. “If he’s not playing quarterback, we’ll probably use him as a receiver. And he can play defense, too. Some of these guys playing offense will probably play defense, because they’re key players and we’re going to need to have those guys on the field.”

Other than Baxter, Joseph Perez and Danny Perez could also get snaps this season.

NEW STAFF

Amos Salas, a coaching veteran of 20 years, will be the team’s offensive coordinator. He was previously at Santa Rosa.

Rolando Rojas, who will start his 13th coaching campaign, will take over as defensive coordinator.

“They’ve been doing a tremendous job,” Canales said. “They have so much experience, and the energy level is there. Great, positive attitudes. We’re pleased with the way we’ve started.”

[email protected]

Friday, Aug. 12

Donna ISD Tournament

Pool Play

Pool A

Court 1 at Donna North

Donna North def. Lyford 25-16, 25-20

Harlingen South def. Rio Hondo 25-20, 25-7

Harlingen South def. Donna North 27-25, 25-22

Lyford def. Rio Hondo 25-17, 22-25, 15-10

Donna North def. Rio Hondo 25-17, 25-17

Harlingen South def. Lyford 25-18, 28-26

Pool B

Court 2 at Donna North

Edcouch-Elsa def. Valley View 25-13, 25-15

Edinburg High def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-4

Edinburg High def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-14, 25-22

Valley View def. Hidalgo 25-17, 25-20

Edcouch-Elsa def. Hidalgo 25-11, 25-9

Edinburg High def. Valley View 25-9, 25-12

Pool C

Court 1 at Donna High

Donna High def. La Joya High 25-12, 25-16

Laredo Nixon def. Rio Grande City 25-10, 25-8

Donna High def. Laredo Nixon 25-23, 25-17

Rio Grande City def. La Joya High 25-17, 22-25, 17-15

Donna High def. Rio Grande City 25-10, 25-17

Laredo Nixon def. La Joya High 25-5, 25-21

Pool D

Court 2 at Donna High

Mercedes def. Raymondville 25-17, 25-19

Harlingen High def. Roma 25-19, 25-19

Harlingen High def. Mercedes 25-21, 25-9

Roma def. Raymondville 17-25, 25-18, 15-12

Mercedes def. Roma 25-19, 26-24

Raymondville def. Harlingen High 25-21, 28-26

===

Saturday, Aug. 13

Tournaments

Donna ISD Tournament

At Donna North

Gold bracket, Court 1

Mercedes def. Harlingen South 27-25, 21-25, 15-9
Edinburg High def. Laredo Nixon 25-17, 25-18
Edcouch-Elsa def. Donna High 25-19, 25-19
Harlingen High def. Donna North 25-23, 25-16
Edinburg High def. Mercedes 25-12, 25-18
Edcouch-Elsa def. Harlingen High 25-19, 28-26
Championship: Edinburg High def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-12, 28-26.

Silver bracket, Court 2

Raymondville def. Lyford 16-25, 25-23, 15-10
Valley View def. La Joya High 22-25, 15-7, 15-12
Hidalgo def. Rio Grande City 25-13, 25-5
Roma def. Rio Hondo 25-13, 25-15
Valley View def. Raymondville 25-17, 25-21
Hidalgo def. Roma 24-26, 25-15, 15-12
Championship: Hidalgo def. Valley. View 25-18, 28-26

Tournament MVP: Dezi Marmolejo, Edinburg High
All-Tournament team: Marissa Arce, Edinburg High; Elizabeth Olivarez, Edinburg High; Madeline Acevedo, Edcouch-Elsa; Paloma Ybarra, Edcouch-Elsa; Yazmine Martinez, Harlingen High; Erinn Ramirez, Mercedes

Valley-Volleyball schedule

Thursday, Aug. 11

McAllen High Poundfest Tournament

Pool Play

Matches begin at 9 a.m.

Pool 1

At McAllen High, Court 1

McAllen High def. Edinburg Vela 25-9, 25-17

Brownsville Porter def. Weslaco East 25-22, 25-18

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

Edinburg Vela def. Brownsville Porter 25-16, 25-18

Edinburg Vela def. Weslaco East 25-10, 25-10

McAllen High def. Brownsville Porter 25-7, 25-11

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Pace 25-16, 25-19

PSJA High def. Port Isabel 25-17, 25-23

Los Fresnos def. PSJA High 25-16, 25-12

Brownsville Pace def. Port Isabel 25-19, 25-22

Brownsville Pace def. PSJA High 25-15, 25-11

Los Fresnos def. Port Isabel 25-15, 25-14

Pool 3

At Travis Middle School, Court 1

McAllen Rowe vs. Weslaco High 25-14, 25-12

Brownsville Hanna def. Edinburg Economedes 25-19, 25-8

McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg Economedes 25-14, 25-7

Brownsville Hanna def. Weslaco High 26-24, 25-22

Edinburg Economedes def. Weslaco High 22-25, 25-21, 15-6

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Hanna 25-23, 25-23

Pool 4

At Travis Middle School, Court 2

McAllen Memorial vs. Brownsville Lopez 25-11, 25-14

PSJA Memorial vs. La Feria 25-16, 25-10

McAllen Memorial vs. PSJA Memorial 25-15, 23-25, 15-7

Brownsville Lopez vs. La Feria 25-12, 25-13

PSJA Memorial def. Brownsville Lopez 25-10, 25-9

McAllen Memorial def. La Feria 25-15, 25-8

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Brownsville Rivera def. PSJA North 11-25, 25-10, 15-10

Laredo Alexander def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-9, 25-13

Brownsville Rivera def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-14, 25-21

PSJA North def. Laredo Alexander 25-15, 25-11

PSJA North def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-16, 25-13

Laredo Alexander def. Brownsville Rivera 25-14, 20-25, 15-8

Pool 6

At Travis Middle School, Court 2

Brownsville Veterans def. Edinburg North 25-14, 25-22

Sharyland High def. McAllen High JV 25-20, 25-15

Edinburg North def. Sharyland High 25-22, 25-19

Brownsville Veterans def. McAllen High JV 25-10, 25-6

Brownsville Veterans def. Sharyland High 25-21, 26-24

Edinburg North def. McAllen High JV 25-18, 25-20

Friday, Aug. 12

McAllen High Poundfest Tournament

Pool Play

Pool 1

McAllen High def. Brownsville Pace 25-9, 25-10

Brownsville Veterans def. Brownsville Rivera 25-18, 17-25, 15-11

McAllen High def. Brownsville Veterans 25-11, 25-14

Brownsville Rivera def. Brownsville Pace 28-26, 23-25, 15-11

Brownsville Veterans def. Brownsville Pace 25-17, 25-21

McAllen High def. Brownsville Rivera 25-18, 25-11

Pool 2

At McAllen High, Court 2

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 25-18, 25-9

Laredo Alexander def. PSJA Memorial 25-19, 19-25, 15-9

Laredo Alexander def. Los Fresnos 25-14, 25-16

PSJA Memorial def. Brownsville Hanna 25-14, 23-25, 15-6

Laredo Alexander def. Brownsville Hanna 25-17, 25-7

PSJA Memorial def. Los Fresnos 25-13, 21-25, 15-10

Pool 3

At Travis Middle School, Court 1

Weslaco East def. Weslaco High 25-21, 25-19

McAllen High JV def. PSJA North 28-26, 23-25, 15-12

PSJA North def. Weslaco High 25-19, 25-19

Weslaco East def. McAllen High JV 25-23, 25-17

PSJA North def. Weslaco East 25-12, 25-22

Weslaco High vs. McAllen High JV 25-17, 25-13

Pool 4

At McAllen Memorial, Court 1

McAllen Memorial vs. Edinburg North 25-6, 25-18

McAllen Rowe vs. Edinburg Vela 18-25, 29-27, 16-14

McAllen Memorial def. McAllen Rowe 25-17, 25-17

Edinburg Vela def. Edinburg North 25-11, 25-11

McAllen Rowe def. Edinburg North 25-16, 25-17

McAllen Memorial def. Edinburg Vela 25-14, 25-11

Pool 5

At McAllen Memorial, Court 2

Laredo Cigarroa def. Brownsville Lopez 25-17, 14-25, 15-13

Port Isabel def. Brownsville Porter 25-13, 19-25, 15-13

La Feria def. Brownsville Porter 23-25, 25-14, 16-14

Laredo Cigarroa def. Port Isabel 25-15, 25-18

Laredo Cigarroa def. Brownsville Porter 25-20, 25-16

La Feria def. Port Isabel 25-23, 25-13

Pool 6

At Travis Middle School, Court 2

Sharyland High def. Brownsville Lopez 25-20, 25-17

Edinburg Economedes def. PSJA High 10-25, 25-20, 15-12

Sharyland High def. PSJA High 25-23, 25-10

Edinburg Economedes def. Brownsville Lopez 25-12, 25-21

Brownsville Lopez def. PSJA High 19-25, 25-17, 15-9

Sharyland High vs. Edinburg Economedes 25-10, 25-11

Saturday, Aug. 13

McAllen High PoundfestTournament

Gold bracket at McAllen High

McAllen High def. Edinburg Vela 25-10, 25-17
McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Veterans 25-13, 25-19
Laredo Alexander vs. PSJA Memorial, not reported
McAllen Memorial def. Los Fresnos 25-17, 25-20
Brownsville Veterans def. Edinburg Vela 25-20, 23-25, 15-13
McAllen High def. McAllen Rowe 25-16, 25-17
PSJA Memorial def. Los Fresnos 16-25, 25-19, 15-2
McAllen Memorial def. Laredo Alexander 19-25, 25-18, 15-12
Consolation: Brownsville Veterans def. PSJA Memorial 25-10, 22-25, 15-8
Third Place: Laredo Alexander def. McAllen Rowe 25-20, 25-22
Championship: McAllen High def. McAllen Memorial 19-25, 25-20, 15-2

Silver bracket at McAllen Memorial

Brownsville Rivera def. La Feria 25-6, 25-21
Edinburg North def. Sharyland High 25-20, 24-26, 15-11
PSJA North def. Brownsville Hanna 25-18, 25-21
Brownsville Pace def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-15, 25-23
Edinburg North def. La Feria 25-17, 25-14
Brownsville Rivera def. Sharyland High 25-21, 25-21
Brownsville Hanna def. Cigarroa 22-25, 25-7, 15-3
PSJA North def. Brownsville Pace 25-20, 25-16
Consolation: Laredo Cigarroa def. Edinburg North 18-25, 26-24, 16-14
Third place: Brownsville Pace def. Sharyland High 25-17, 28-26
Championship: Brownsville Rivera def. PSJA North 25-23, 25-21

Bronze bracket at Travis Middle School

McAllen High JV def. Weslaco East 25-21, 25-22
Brownsville Lopez def. Port Isabel 25-18, 25-19
Edinburg Economedes def. PSJA High 25-21, 25-16
Weslaco High def. Brownsville Porter 25-23, 25-20
Weslaco East def. Port Isabel 25-23, 20-25, 15-12
Consolation: not reported
Third place: not reported
Championship: not reported

By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — For as much success as PSJA North enjoyed the past two years after a dismal 2013, first-year coach Marcus Kaufmann set out to scrap it all and start anew when he took over the program in January.

In 2003, Kaufmann was part of a similar rebuilding project when he joined coach Bill Littleton at McAllen Memorial from Cuero. That assignment, Kaufmann said, was “a complete overhaul.” What he believes he has now at PSJA North, however, is the proper foundation to begin molding a new culture.

“I know they made the playoffs (the last two years),” Kaufmann said. “But I tell them, ‘Let’s go back and try to rekindle some of that fire’” from the district title-winning teams.

“When I first got here 13 years ago, everybody was afraid to play PSJA North. They were going to hit you in the mouth, and they were not going to stop the whole game. We’re going to try to simulate that.”

Kaufmann has talked at length with his players about “bringing back the gold” — so much, in fact, that it has become one of their mottos during two-a-days. Those district title trophies now adorn Kaufmann’s new office. And whenever he finds himself curious about the past Raiders teams, Kaufmann “bugs” former defensive coordinator Freddy Hernandez or former head coach Orlando Garcia, now the PSJA ISD athletic coordinator, with any inquiries.

Coming off a winless season in 2013, Jorge Peña took over at North and led the team to two straight bi-district appearances. The Raiders finished tied for second place in district in his first year, before taking sole possession of third.

Yet, in having one-on-one discussions with players, Kaufmann learned about contentiousness in the locker room. So when the team went through spring practices in May, Kaufmann set out to start anew — to have his players in sync, and to have them play up to the level of competition, not down.

Going into two-a-days this week, Kaufmann anticipated having to refresh his players on the ins and outs of the system, and the terminology. Because they retained most of it, players now find themselves going through the schemes.

The Raiders will be multiple on offense, led by quarterback Darren Fuentes, who assumed that role last year after George Olivarez transferred to Edinburg Vela midseason. Bo Adams, who split time at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, is expected to be the featured ball carrier. Halfback Rene Ramirez should alleviate some of the load.

Last year, the three came together to help produce the second-most yards in district (398.4 per game) and the third-most points (30.4) as they closed out the regular season winning four of five games. They return five starters from that side of the ball, and have seven three-year starters sprinkled across their roster.

“Everything’s coming together perfectly,” Ramirez said. “Coach is talking about bringing back the swagger. That’s definitely his catchphrase. Smash mouth football. Bring back the gold.

“We’re still learning the system, but we’ll get there.”

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS

With first-year defensive coordinator Will Littleton, previously the secondary coach at Los Fresnos, the Raiders will run a 4-2-5 set, which Kaufmann believes will better stabilize the defense, especially with safety Raudel Alvarez as an additional outside linebacker.

“The way that our linemen are set up, it gives the linebackers a chance to fly anywhere and make plays,” Alvarez said.

North returns seven players on defense, including linebackers C.J. Gaitan and Leroy Vasquez. Vicente Palacios returns to lead the front four.

“As long as they’re playing with high energy and 11 guys realize we’re going to help — we’re not going to have just one guy tackle — that’s the big deal on defense,” Kaufmann said. “We have to play with reckless abandon. You could be in the wrong spot, but if all 11 guys are playing hard, you’ll make up for a bunch of mental errors.”

LENDING A HELPING HAND

Last year, North finished last in district in defense, allowing the most yards (385.7) and the second-most points (31.6) per game. But Kaufmann insists “it wasn’t as bad as the stats look.”

Though the team generated plenty of offense, he noticed North had several three-and-outs and careless turnovers. That resulted in shorter breaks for the defense, and reduced time discussing adjustments with the coaching staff.

“When you do that, you put your defense in a pretty big bind,” Kaufmann said. “The kids were playing hard, but the defense was hurting. They were just in a lot of bad situations.”

Kaufmann’s hope is that the Raiders are able to extend drives at least seven or eight plays to give the defense sufficient rest.

[email protected]

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

PSJA NORTH’S PROGNOSIS

North returns 12 starters from a playoff-qualifying team. Should their defense improve under a new system, the Raiders should secure another postseason berth.

Projected record: 7-4

COACH’S TENURE

Coach: Marcus Kaufmannn

Year at school: 1st

Career record: 0-0

Valley-Volleyball schedule
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Non-district
Edinburg High def. Mercedes 25-17, 25-13, 25-4
Edinburg High def. Harlingen South 25-17, 25-10, 25-16
Laredo Alexander def. McAllen High 25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 25-11
McAllen Rowe def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-20, 25-15
McAllen Rowe def. Laredo United 25-19, 25-18
McAllen Memorial def. Mission Veterans Memorial 25-16, 25-18, 25-12
Mission High def. Edinburg North 26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23
Brownsville Hanna def. Port Isabel 25-20, 18-25, 25-17, 25-18
PSJA Memorial def. Brownsville Veterans Memorial 27-29, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21
La Joya High def. PSJA High 25-23, 25-10, 21-25, 18-25, 15-13
Sharyland Pioneer def. Laredo United South 25-15, 25-9, 25-14
Raymondville def. IDEA Frontier 25-8, 25-21, 25-18
Brownsville Porter def. La Feria 25-23, 23-25, 7-25, 25-16, 15-10
Brownsville Rivera def. Edinburg Economedes 25-16, 25-13, 25-11

PSJA North def. Donna North 24-26, 25-21, 14-25, 25-15, 15-7
PSJA Southwest def. Mission Juan Academy
Harlingen High def. Brownsville Pace

Weslaco East at Roma, not reported

Valley-Volleyball summaries
PSJA MEMORIAL DEF. BROWNSVILLE VETERANS
27-29, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21
PSJA MEMORIAL — Kristi Gomez 12 kills, 6 blocks, 8 aces; Victoria Maldonado 12 digs; Valerie Guajardo 16 assists; Deserey Gomez 8 assists, 6 kills.
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS — Not reported.

RECORDS — PSJA Memorial 1-0; Brownsville Veterans 0-1.

LA JOYA HIGH DEF. PSJA HIGH
25-23, 25-10, 21-25, 18-25, 15-13
LA JOYA HIGH — Not reported
PSJA HIGH —Myranda Garza 9 kills; Sara Hernandez 4 kills; Natalie Lozano 3 kills, 6 aces; Brianna De Luna 5 aces.

RECORDS — La Joya High 1-0; PSJA High 0-1.

MISSION HIGH DEF. EDINBURG NORTH
26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23
MISSION HIGH — Not reported
EDINBURG NORTH — Itzamar Rios 6 kills, 7 digs, 1 block, 3 aces; Amber Dreyer 7 kills, 6 digs; Kandice Kotzur 7 kills, 5 digs; Naila Garcia 15 assists, 8 digs; Amanda Cavazos 11 assists, 8 digs; Brenda Rios 52 digs.
RECORDS — Mission High 1-0; Edinburg North 0-1.

EDINBURG HIGH DEF. MERCEDES
25-17, 25-13, 25-4
EDINBURG HIGH — Desi Marmolejo 4 aces, 3 kills, 38 assists, 10 digs; Marissa Arce 12 kills, 2 aces, 13 digs; Tianna Howard 12 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs; Natalie Martinez 7 kills, 3 blocks, 2 digs; Elizabeth Olivarez 12 digs, 4 aces; Maria Reyes 1 kill, 2 aces, 11 digs; Amber Reyes 5 kills, 6 blocks, 3 assists, 3 digs; Lorissa Gonzalez 7 digs.
MERCEDES — Not reported.
RECORDS — Edinburg High 1-0; Mercedes 0-1.

EDINBURG HIGH DEF. HARLINGEN SOUTH
25-17, 25-10, 25-16
EDINBURG HIGH — Desi Marmolejo 3 kills, 34 assists, 12 digs; Marissa Arce 12 kills, 2 aces, 13 digs; Tianna Howard 13 kills, 7 blocks; 1 ace, 4 digs; Natalie Martinez 7 kills, 6 blocks, 3 digs; Elizabeth Olivarez 12 digs; Maria Reyes 3 kills, 17 digs; Amber Reyes 4 kills, 2 blocks, 4 assists, 3 digs, 2 aces; Lorissa Gonzalez 5 digs.
HARLINGEN SOUTH — Not reported
RECORDS — Edinburg High 2-0; Harlingen South 0-1.

LAREDO ALEXANDER DEF. McALLEN HIGH
25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 25-11
LAREDO ALEXANDER — Not reported
McALLEN HIGH — Victoria Rogers 7 kills, 1 block; Julia Monday 2 aces, 12 kills; Sydney Pemelton 1 ace, 11 kills, 2 blocks; Vivian Park 1 ace, 13 assists; Jaycee Hausenfluck 3 aces, 17 assists; Kellie Woodin 2 aces, 8 blocks.
RECORDS — Laredo Alexander 1-0; McAllen High 0-1.

SHARYLAND PIONEER DEF. LAREDO MARTIN SOUTH
25-15, 25-9, 25-14
LAREDO MARTIN SOUTH — Not reported.
SHARYLAND PIONEER — Mikayla Zimmerer 2 aces, 9 kills, 13 digs; Daisy Coronado 1.5 block; Audrey Smith 3 aces, 8 kills, 12 assists, 5 digs; 1 block; Samantha Roberts 1 ace, 5 kills, 21 assists, 8 digs.

RECORDS — Sharyland Pioneer 1-0; Laredo Martin South 0-1.

McALLEN MEMORIAL DEF. MISSION VETERANS MEMORIAL
25-16, 25-18, 25-12
MISSION VETERANS — Makenzie Gerlach 6 kills, 5 digs, 1 block, 2 aces; Iliana Conteras 4 kills, 1 assists, 5 digs; Karyna Loazno 6 digs; Alyssa Villarreal 3 digs; Andrea De La Garza 3 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace; Alex Jimenez 2 kills, 7 digs, 1 block; D’lyza Medina 2 kills, 3 digs, 1 block; Veronika Cantu 9 assists, 3 digs; Dariana 1 assist; Dehra Vela 2 digs.
McALLEN MEMORIAL — Jocelynn Everage 8 kills, 2 aces, 1 block; D.D. Ibarra 5 kills, 3 aces; Kathia Nitsch 2 aces, 4 kills; Abriana Saenz 12 digs; Taylor Marburger 7 digs, 1. block, 9 kills.
RECORDS — Mission Veterans 0-1; McAllen Memorial 1-0.

PSJA NORTH DEF. DONNA NORTH

24-26, 25-21, 14-25, 25-15, 15-7

DONNA NOARTH — Not reported.

PSJA NORTH — Stephanie Crispin 13 kills, 2 blocks; Ashley Garza 7 kills, 2 aces; Carla Muro 4 kills,1 block; Alexia Salinas 4 kills, 3 aces, 8 digs; Sam Enriquez 31 assists, 3 aces, 10 digs.

RECORD — Donna North 0-1; PSJA North 1-0.