NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

SAN JUAN — PSJA North remained in position to take the fourth and final playoff spot, but not without a wave of drama.

Saturday’s district tilt between PSJA North and PSJA High all came down to the fifth set.

PSJA North battled through a slow start to stay on course for the fourth and final playoff spot in the district.

The Raiders improved to 6-3 in 30-6A play via a 26-24, 25-21, 11-25, 23-25, 17-15 win over the cross-town rival Bears on the road.

“It’s good to come out on top because the Bears have always been our rivalry school,” Mikaela Guerrero said. “We put up a fight. They’re just as good of a team as we are and we knew that coming in. They wanted it just as bad as we did but we put up the better fight and we ended up with the win. I’m glad that we did because this secured our spot in playoffs.”

Guerrero and Clarissa Alvarez led the way for North, both with 14 kills. They also tied for the team lead with two aces apiece along with Lesley Rodriguez and Mariana Juarez.

Rodriguez led the team in assists with 42.

With so many athletes able to score on offense, Guerrero said her team is tough to predict.

“It benefits our team a lot more because we don’t rely on just one person,” Guerrero said. “Our front row can hit, our back row can hit. We usually hit middle and outside which is what we practice the most.”

The Raiders seemed to be in good position to make quick work of the Bears, jumping out to a 2-0 lead through the first two sets. That’s when the match turned on its head and PSJA High made a strong push.

Karina Garduno was the Bears best attacker but she wasn’t alone, Catia Cavazos provided the best serves for the Bears and Sydney Escobar set up her attackers.

PSJA High used North mistakes and their best game of the day to win the third set 25-11. The Bears had sizable leads in the fourth at 22-17 and 24-19 before finally forcing the fifth set 25-23.

“We were struggling in the third and fourth set and we eventually found our way out of the match,” Angel Lozano said. “We were pushing and trying so hard and it worked at the end. We just needed to let all the bad energy out. We needed to communicate more. Then we were talking, we weren’t letting anything drop.”

Alexya Salinas had 47 digs and Victoria Trevino had 34, many of them thwarting kill attempts by PSJA High.

North coach Alicia Jaime broke down the team’s plan coming in and their roadmap to the win.

“The first time around we came through with four sets and this time we wanted to close it in three but it’s always unpredictable,” Jaime said. “We started playing it too safe where we were just getting pounded on defense. When we started attacking and playing our game that’s when we were picking up points and winning the sets we need to win.”

Lozano, who had 30 digs and two blocks, said that having multiple hitters capable of scoring for the team means no matter who is on or off, another player can pick up the slack.

“If the ball is set right it’s going to get laid down,” Lozano said.

The win had postseason implication because the Raiders don’t have a district loss outside of the three powerhouse McAllen program, which are clinging to the top-three spots in the standings. If that trend continues, PSJA High and Mission High won’t have enough matches to bump North from that final spot.

Jaime said Saturday’s match was vital to their goals.

“We’ve been working hard for that fourth spot,” Jaime said. “It’s been a tough group that we have. It all comes down to us and Bears and Mission fighting for that spot, we knew this game was crucial for us to get through.”

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NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — The PSJA North Raiders struck first, but they could only strike once. The PSJA High Bears (3-2, 2-0) were able to provide just enough offense, by striking twice and overcoming PSJA North (2-3, 1-1) 10-7 on Friday night at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

PSJA High entered the game averaging 40.3 points per contest but the Bears victory over their city rivals lies on the shoulder pads of their defense. The tone was set, and the win was sealed, by the maroon defenders.

The first Bears defensive gem came on fourth-and-goal from the 1 right before half. Raiders quarterback Iziaah Rangel was just short on third down and called his own number on fourth. PSJA High stuffed it and the Raiders paid dearly for not getting points on that drive.

“We put our hearts every day in practice to win this game,” PSJA High senior defensive back Juan Zambrano said after the win. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, they’re a good football team. And it’s rivalry week, nothing gets better than that. Shout out to their offense, but shout out to our defense, because without us we wouldn’t have won this game.”

The Bears defense changed the tide of the game again midway through the fourth quarter.

With less than six minutes to play and North putting together one of its few drives that reached the red zone, Iziaah Rangel overshot his target with a high pass. His mistake was punished as Juan Zambrano intercepted Rangel’s pass on the goal line.

“They had their whole momentum going until I made that interception,” Zambrano said. “I was just at the right place at the right time, put my hands up and caught the ball. The excitement of the stands and everybody was just amazing.”

That excitement was nearly cut short when PSJA High fumbled on the very next play at its own 30. North would give the ball right back on a fumble as running back Isaac Gonzalez was dragged to the ground.

“We rode the backs of the defense and when it really mattered, the defense came out big,” Bears coach Lupe Rodriguez said. “I know they had been struggling in the beginning, non-district. But today, we owe that victory to the defense. Hats off to them.”

Bears senior quarterback Trey Guajardo admitted his offense was bailed out.

“Tonight just showed our defense is one of the top defenses not only in our district but the Valley as well,” Guajardo said. “Like I told my coach, I shouldn’t be the one getting interviewed right now, it should be the defense, they played a great game tonight. Offensively, we kind of shut down, but there’s going to be games like that where offensively we aren’t on and the defense should be the ones picking us up.”

Guajardo scored the Bears only touchdown with his legs on an 8-yard score at the start of the second quarter.

The first time PSJA North (2-1, 1-1) touched the ball, it was their engine Arturo Beltran, with a return to the 42 that would set himself up for a 50-yard touchdown run a few plays later.

The Raiders were not able to muster much production after that run. Iziaah Rangel kept the ball with designed draws or sneaks but first downs became elusive.

Guajardo was held to 11 for 17 passing and 133 yards. In the first half, he was hitting mid-range passes but the long home run completion never came. The Raiders brought pressure and recorded five sacks.

A facet of the game that might be overlooked was the kicking game. Jared Deleon hit a field goal to give PSJA High its first points, which ended up being the difference in the win. He also booted three 40-yard punts, two that pinned the Raiders at their 1.

“He’s a great kicker, there’s no doubt about that. Coming into the season he had never really focused on football, he was a soccer player so we were a little bit antsy about him coming in. But he’s come up and brought a lot to the table. The way he punts it’s unbelievable. He’s placing it where we need it. That’s probably a big reason why we came out victorious tonight, small ball.”

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NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN – McAllen Memorial’s Ethan Bazan had some room in front of him after catching a wide-open pass at Mission High’s 48-yard line last Friday. He took the long route around would-be tacklers to the end zone as he zigged and zagged nearly half the field for a 67-yard touchdown reception. It was his first of two touchdowns that night.

He celebrated with his teammates but more subtly he touched the tape on his wrists and pointed toward the heavens. There was a message on the tape.

That day – Sept. 27 – signified more to Bazan than just the important football game his Memorial Mustangs were playing against a district opponent. That night also marked 10 years since his mother, Summer Meland, was murdered just days before his eighth birthday.

“They told me the day after it happened, it caught me by surprise,” Bazan said. “It was a pretty traumatic experience in my life that from that day I learned from. I used it to move forward in my life.”

The speedy senior, who turns 18 today, has been solid on the field, but those 48 minutes a week ago under the lights are just a glimpse of a life that was drastically changed.


“It was 10 years ago that night so I just wore (the tape) to signify that it was 10 years and that I always play for her and that everything I do is for her,” Bazan said after practice Wednesday. “I had to grow up pretty fast. Me and my older brother had to step up and take care of things at the house. We have a little brother and I think I raised him pretty good. I’m always there for him.”

His childhood was changed and his growth as a person was forced to speed up.

“It’s been pretty difficult not turning to someone that you usually turn to in a situation, whether at home or at school,” Bazan said. “I’ve learned to battle through the adversity and keep moving forward. Football has been a great help in easing the pain.”

On the gridiron, Bazan has a had breakout past few weeks. He’s gone for 296 receiving yards and three scores in his team’s previous two games, a loss against Vela and comeback win against Mission.

Bazan is the second person in his family to play receiver for Memorial. His brother Jayce, who started on the baseball field, also wore the same colors.

“It feels pretty good because here at Memorial we’re all about tradition,” Bazan said. “I love living out the tradition for McAllen Memorial.”

Off the field, Bazan lives with father Jayce Bazan as well as his grandparents Luule Moreno, Rolando Moreno and Hope Bazan.

“He has a good supporting cast,” Memorial coach Bill Littleton said. “Anytime a young man or young lady loses their one of their parent it’s always tough. It’s always an experience that, growing up, it’ll never be the same for him. His father and his grandparents do a great job of raising him, they’re in his life every day.”

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NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

PSJA High left no doubt in anyone’s mind that they are a district title contender after the Bears rolled past La Joya High, 46-25 in both teams’ district 30-6A opener Friday.

The 46 points were the most points the Bears put on the board since Week 2 when they scored 55 against Corpus Christi King. That was the only other time they played at home this season.

Along with a strong offensive output, 25 points are the fewest points the defense has allowed.

“We were very pleased as a staff,” Head Coach Lupe Rodriguez said. “We spoke about how we needed to step up and make some changes in certain things that we were doing. Our kids responded and they came out big. I told them we needed a statement win and defensively they needed to show people that we’re for real and they did that.”

They limited La Joya’s top rusher, Eddie Villarreal, to just below his average in the win. He had 130 yards compared to his 133.

Rodriguez knows with the number of teams who love to pound the ball, it’s an important attack to stop.

“There’s a lot of teams in our district that run the football – McAllen Memorial, I know Mission is more of a running team,” Rodriguez said. “Even Rowe, as much as some of these guys run spread, they’re more run-oriented.”

On offense, Trey Guajardo threw seven touchdown passes, which ties not only his season and career-best performances but he equaled RGV record once again.

Miguel Flores caught10 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns while Marco Guajardo had seven catches, 187 yards and three scores.

“These guys run track, they’re great track runners as well,” Rodriguez said. “They have a lot of talent, a lot of speed and they’re both on the offensive side so it’s very hard for the defense to double team or to focus on one.”

PSJA High faces cross-town rivals PSJA North on Friday and the road stays brutal when they visit McAllen Memorial in Week 7.

“Just like any rivalry, you can throw any record out the door, it’s just the team that decides to show up,” Rodriguez said about the matchup with the Raiders. “We have to treat it just like another team in the way of winning a district championship.”

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Valley HS Volleyball Schedule 2018

Tuesday, Oct. 2

District 30-6A

McAllen High def. McAllen Rowe 25-13, 25-23, 25-19

PSJA High def. La Joya High 25-20, 25-23, 25-4

McAllen Memorial def. Mission High 25-10, 25-11, 25-14

PSJA North def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-11, 25-17, 25-18

District 31-6A

Weslaco High def. Edinburg Economedes 24-26, 25-16, 26-24, 25-20

Edinburg North def. Edinburg Vela 17-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-22

Weslaco East def. Donna North 25-17, 27-25, 24-25, 25-19

District 32-6A

Los Fresnos def. San Benito 25-17, 25-21, 25-20

Brownsville Rivera def. Harlingen High 25-19, 25-16, 12-25, 18-25, 15-13

Brownsville Hanna def. Harlingen South 14-25, 25-13, 25-15, 24-26, 15-5

District 31-5A

PSJA Memorial def. Roma 25-17, 28-26, 25-15

Sharyland Pioneer def. PSJA Southwest 25-23, 25-15, 25-18

Mission Veterans def. Rio Grande City 25-16, 25-11, 25-6

Sharyland High def. La Joya Palmview 26-28, 25-11, 25-7, 25-13

District 32-5A

Edcouch-Elsa def. Brownsville Lopez 25-13, 25-8, 25-14

Brownsville Veterans def. Brownsville Pace 25-20, 25-21, 25-22

Mercedes def. Valley View 25-20, 25-21, 25-10

Donna High def. Brownsville Porter 28-30, 25-17, 25-21, 25-10

District 32-4A

Grulla def. Raymondville 25-20, 25-9, 25-16

La Feria def. Port Isabel 25-22, 25-18, 25-20

Progreso def. Hidalgo 3-1

Non-district

Santa Rosa def. Pharr Vanguard 25-12, 25-16, 25-13

TAPPS

Brownsville St. Joseph Academy def. Corpus Incarnate Word

District 30-6A

McALLEN HIGH DEF. McALLEN ROWE 25-13, 25-23, 25-19

McALLEN HIGH: Lexi Gonzalez 27 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces; Madison Helmcamp 36 assists, 11 digs; Damaris Llanas 14 digs, 6 kills, 1 ace; Audrey Zamora 20 digs; Celina Saenz 5 kills, 1 ace; Haidee Moore 7 kills, 3 digs, 3 aces

McALLEN ROWE: Jackelyn Alanis 19 kills, 19 digs, 3 assists, 1 ace; Anna Honrubia 12 kills, 10 digs, 2 assists; Jessica Martinz 9 digs; Jewel Palomo 10 assists, 1 dig; Samantha Sifuentes 15 assists, 12 digs; Marina Cortez 5 digs; Victoria Enriquez 4 blocks, 1 kill; Victoria Galindo 2 blocks, 1 assist

RECORDS: McAllen High 33-7, 6-2; McAllen Rowe 27-10, 6-2

McALLEN MEMORIAL DEF. MISSION HIGH 25-10, 25-11, 25-14

McALLEN MEMORIAL: Valeria Trevino 10 kills, 6 digs, 3 aces; Evelyn Whitworth 10 kills; Jocelyn Fernandez 7 kills; Demy Banks 5 kills, 2 blocks; Jocelynn Everage 5 kills, 1 kill; Sydney Marburger 21 assists, 9 digs, 2 aces

RECORDS: McAllen Memorial 30-3, 8-0; Mission High 3-5

PSJA NORTH DEF. LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN 25-11, 25-17, 25-18

PSJA NORTH: Angel Lozano 8 kills, 4 aces, 2 blocks; Mikaela Guerrero 7 kills, 2 blocks; 3 aces; Clarissa Alvarez 5 kills; Lesley Rodriguez 14 assists; Heaven Lozano 10 assists; Mariana Juarez 3 aces; Alexis De Leon 9 digs

LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN: Jessyca Alvarez 2 kills, 4 assists, 8 digs; Ericka Hernandez 6 digs, 1 kill, 1 ace; Yolanda Hernadez 4 kills, 3 blocks, 1 dig, 1 ace; Natalie Garcia

RECORDS: PSJA North 20-11 5-3; La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 0-8

District 31-6A

EDINBURG NORTH DEF. EDINBURG VELA

EDINBURG NORTH: Natalie Rodriguez 20 kills, 20 digs; Evana Ramos 37 digs, 4 kills; Jessica Dreyer 20 assists, 5 digs; Kelsey Limas 17 assists 6 digs; Brandi Garcia 18 digs; Jasmin Barajas 6 kills, 4 digs; Cortney Ortiz 6 kills, 5 digs; Drina Garza 12 digs, 5 kills

RECORDS: Edinburg North 22-14, 5-2; Edinburg Vela 20-13, 5-2

District 31-5A

MISSION VETERANS DEF. RIO GRANDE CITY 25-16, 25-11, 25-6

MISSION VETERANS: Jackie Howell 17 kills, 1 assist, 1 ace, 16 digs; Mackenzie Gerlach 17 kills, 1 ace, 10 digs, 1 block; Kassy Lerma 13 kills, 2 assists, 2 aces, 13 digs, 8 blocks; Valerie de la Fuente 25 assists, 1 ace, 4 digs, 1 block; Ronnie Cantu 6 assists, 1 ace, 5 digs; Bella Dominguez 4 aces, 10 digs

RECORDS: Mission Veterans 31-3, 8-0; Rio Grande City 1-7

SHARYLAND PIONEER DEF. PSJA SOUTHWEST 25-23, 25-15, 25-18

SHARYLAND PIONEER: Daizy Coronado 9 kills; Elizabeth Fina 13 digs, 2 aces;Natalie Reyes 35 assists, 10 digs, 7 kills, 3 aces; Shelby Cavazos 19 digs; Samantha Ayala 12 kill, 9 digs

RECORDS: Sharyland Pioneer 19-15, 6-2; PSJA Southwest 19-12, 4-4

SHARYLAND HIGH DEF. LA JOYA PALMVIEW 26-28, 25-11, 25-7, 25-13

SHARYLAND HIGH: Tristen Maddox 22 kills; Estefania Hinojosa 26 digs, 21 kills, 4 ace; Aydee Hinojosa 3 aces, 3 kills; Ximena Chapa 23 digs

RECORDS: Sharyland High 18-15, 6-2; La Joya Palmview 8-20, 0-8

Saturday, Oct. 6

District 30-6A

Mission High at McAllen High, noon

McAllen Rowe at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, noon

PSJA North at PSJA High, noon

La Joya High at McAllen Memorial, noon

District 31-6A

Edinburg High at Weslaco East, noon

Edinburg North at Donna North, noon

Edinburg Vela at Edinburg Economedes, noon

District 31-5A

Rio Grande City at PSJA Memorial, 1 p.m.

La Joya Palmview at Sharyland Pioneer, 1 p.m.

PSJA Southwest at Mission Veterans, 1 p.m.

Roma at Sharyland High, 1 p.m.

District 32-5A

Brownsville Porter at Mercedes, 1 p.m.

Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Pace, 1 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at Donna High, 1 p.m.

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN–McAllen High School cruised to a 25-13 first-set victory Tuesday night in McAllen Rowe’s gym. This time, the Bulldogs did not stop there.

The Bulldogs won 25-13, 25-23, 25-19 over the Warriors in a critical District 30-6A matchup. RGVSports.com No. 4-ranked McHi improves to 6-2 and pulls even with No. 3 Rowe (6-2) in the district standings. Both teams have one loss to district leader McAllen Memorial (7-0).

In the first meeting, McHi won the first set but then fell in the next three.

“The last time we played them the second set we thought we had it and everyone started messing around, starting getting overconfident,” senior Damaris Llanas said. “Here we were trying to focus more because last time that’s what killed us.”

The second set was a saga in itself. McHi looked to be in control of the set, but the Warriors stormed back from trailing 24-16, the Warriors rode the serve and offense of Jackelyn Alanis to fight off seven straight game points before dropping the final point on a hitting error.

Llanas was glad that set did not snowball into a repeat of their Sept. 8 loss to the Warriors to start district.

“It builds our confidence up I think but then at the same time at the end of the game we started losing points,” Llanas said. “It was hard to keep the girls up, it’s communication. With everyone screaming it’s hard to stay up.”

The crowds on both sides were raucous, which is what is expected anytime schools in McAllen ISD face off. Llanas admitted the chants and noise level can be a factor. She still put home six kills, 14 digs and an ace.

“Honestly, it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had,” Llanas said. “I’ve trained since a little girl to be on varsity and it’s been crazy. It gets so intense sometimes and people get in your head. Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused but it’s an amazing feeling.”

McHi’s Lexi Gonzalez handled the stage well on Tuesday. She led the way with 27 kills, three blocks and a pair of aces.

The Bulldogs had contributions from all over the court in the sweep. Madison Helmcamp had 36 assists and 11 digs. Libero Audrey Zamora was quick to the ball on defense to record 20 digs, while Haidee Moore had seven kills, three digs and three aces.

Gonzalez said that her team’s unity went a long way.

“We really wanted to win this game this time,” Gonzalez said. “We accomplished that by having a lot of chemistry and all getting together. We brought up a freshman and she really did help us a lot, her name is Celina Saenz and she’s really good and she helped us so much this game.”

Saenz did not take long to leave her mark in the win.

“I was a little bit nervous at first, not going to lie, it’s a big game (against) Nikki Rowe,” Saenz said. “After the first set, I kind of got into it and got comfortable.”

In that first set, she recorded key kills getting the purple and gold student section to chant “she’s a freshman.” She finished with five kills and an ace.

Veteran McHi coach Paula Dodge said the improvement did not happen overnight.

“A little bit more maturity, a lot more poise and togetherness,” Dodge said. “I don’t know if it happened all that quickly. We’ve been at it since August and it’s been about three weeks since the first round (of district). It’s just a matter of continuing to grow and get better together.”

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NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McAllen — McHi junior outside hitter Lexi Gonzalez is not surprising anyone anymore.

When Gonzalez is on the court, and she doesn’t often sit, defenses will plan to slow her attack – usually falling short of their goal. The 6-foot figure wearing No. 1 leads the RGVSports.com fourth-ranked Bulldogs.

As the season starts its second trip through district play, the Bulldogs will be relying on the play of their star, and the rest of the hard-hitting squad, to gain better position for the playoffs and, possibly, make a district title run.

McHi travels to McAllen Rowe for a 7:30 p.m. Matchup. The Bulldogs are 5-2 in District 30-6A, Rowe is 6-1 and McAllen Memorial leads the district with a perfect 7-0 record.

“I enjoy scoring a lot,” Gonzalez said with a smile during a recent practice. “Everyone just celebrates and that makes everyone motivated, pumped and that helps us a lot.”

Last year, Gonzalez was a part of a trio of hitters who eclipsed 250 kills. With Victoria Rodgers and Carter Helmcamp graduated, Gonzalez doesn’t just wear No. 1, she’s the go-to option. She already has 455 kills this season. Senior Damaris Llanas is next with 200 kills

“Last year, we lost two really good players and we also lost eight people,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve had to work hard, but every girl that’s on varsity right now has worked for her spot.”

That includes returning senior outside hitter Llanas and a group of five sophomores head coach Paula Dodge has entrusted to contribute for McHi.

Libero Audrey Zamora is a 10th-grader, sophomore Haide Moore is a middle hitter and Madison Helmcamp, also a sophomore, is a setter.

Helmcamp has played with her 2021 classmates before, but now they are in bigger roles to mold the varsity unit.

“Both years have definitely been very different,” said Madison Helmcamp, who leads the team in aces with 61 and assists with 500. “Last year, I was a freshman so I was new to the whole high school team. This year is different because we lost a few seniors who were very strong. We still have Lexi and a bunch of other amazing players. We have a good connection and chemistry, so this year’s been going good.”

Gonzalez, the high-energy junior, is not a stranger to the varsity level, she’s been on varsity every year but this year is different. She’s on everyone’s radar this year because she’s the leader.

Plus it’s been a whirlwind year in which she showcased her talent.

She’s Division I bound after verbally committing to play volleyball at PAC-12 member Oregon State University in August. In the spring she displayed college-level skill on the soccer field in goal as well, being a part of history as she guided McHi’s girls soccer team to the state tournament, becoming the first girls team in the Rio Grande Valley to mark that accomplishment.

“I played soccer first when I was like 4,” Gonzalez said. “I played basketball when I was 10. I started playing volleyball when I was 11. I love volleyball so much, I never got a bad feeling and I always liked being on the court. That really helped with my decision.”

McHi dropped a four-set match to McAllen Rowe at home and a five-set defeat at the hands of McAllen Memorial during the first trip through district play. With a 32-5 overall record, the Bulldogs are using those few losses as learning tools rather than roadblocks.

“Those are our favorite games,” Dodge said. “Plus, they have their tape to watch from those games. We look at the things that we did right and we definitely took apart the mistakes that we made and what we need to do to improve. Those are learning situations.”

The mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores all have their sights set on a strong finish to their year.

“Those losses to Rowe and Memorial was very much an eye-opener – both games,” Helmcamp said. “We knew that it was going to be a good game, but we really thought we were going to pull through and win, and we can. So this round we just have to go in stronger.”

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RGVSports.com Volleyball top 10

1. Mission Veterans 30-3 (7-0), No. 1

2. McAllen Memorial 29-3 (7-0), No. 2

3. McAllen Rowe 27-0 (6-1). No. 3

4. McAllen High 32-7 (5-2), No. 4

5. Edcouch-Elsa 24-9 (7-0), No. 5

6. Donna High 24-9 (6-1), No. 6

7. Los Fresnos (4-0), No. 7

8. Edinburg Vela 20-12 (5-1), No. 8

9. Hidalgo (8-0), N.R.

10. Brownsville Hanna (3-1), No. 9

VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS

DISTRICT 30-6A

Over Dist

Team W L W L

McAllen Memorial 29 3 7 0

McAllen Rowe 27 9 6 1

McAllen High 32 7 5 2

PSJA North 19 11 4 3

Mission High – – 3 4

PSJA High 11 19 2 5

La Joya High 2 13 1 6

LJ Juarez-Lincoln 9 16 0 7

DISTRICT 31-6A

Over Dist

Team W L W L

Edinburg Vela 20 12 5 1

Weslaco High 19 13 5 1

Edinburg North 21 15 4 2

Edinburg High 15 14 4 2

Weslaco East 20 14 2 4

Edin. Economedes 11 23 1 5

Donna North – – 0 6

DISTRICT 32-6A

Over Dist

Team W L W L

Los Fresnos – – 4 0

Brownsville Hanna – – 3 1

San Benito – – 2 2

Harlingen South – – 1 3

Brownsville Rivera – – 1 3

Harlingen High – – 1 3

DISTRICT 31-5A

Over Dist

Team W L W L

Mission Veterans 30 3 7 0

Sharyland High 17 15 5 2

Sharyland Pioneer 17 16 5 2

PSJA Memorial 16 16 4 3

PSJA Southwest 19 11 4 3

Roma 10 14 2 5

Rio Grande City – – 1 6

La Joya Palmview 8 19 0 7

DISTRICT 32-5A

Over Dist

Team W L W L

Edcouch-Elsa 24 9 7 0

Donna High 24 9 6 1

Brownsville Veterans 23 13 5 2

Brownsville Lopez – – 4 3

Brownsville Porter – – 3 4

Mercedes 11 14 2 5

Brownsville Pace – – 1 6

Valley View 6 21 0 7

DISTRICT 32-4A

Over Dist

Team W L W L

Hidalgo – – 8 0

La Feria – – 7 1

Zapata – – 6 2

Grulla – – 3 5

Rio Hondo – – 3 5

Port Isabel – – 2 6

Raymondville – – 2 6

Progreso – – 1 7

Valley HS Volleyball Schedule 2018

Saturday, Sept. 29

District 30-6A

McAllen Memorial def. McAllen Rowe 25-16, 27-25, 26-24

PSJA High def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-13, 25-10, 25-15

McAllen High def. PSJA North 25-16, 25-15, 25-19

Mission High def. La Joya High 25-10, 25-20, 25-16

District 31-6A

Edinburg Vela def. Weslaco East 25-15, 25-17, 25-10

Weslaco High def. Edinburg North 25-22, 15-22, 25-20, 25-20

Edinburg High def. Donna North 25-11, 25-6, 25-14

District 32-6A

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-23

San Benito def. Brownsville Rivera 22-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-14

Harlingen South def. Harlingen High 21-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 15-13

District 31-5A

PSJA Memorial def. Sharyland High 25-23, 23-25, 13-25, 26-24, 15-12

PSJA Southwest def. La Joya Palmview 22-25, 25-12, 25-8, 25-15

Sharyland Pioneer def. Rio Grande City 25-13, 25-21, 26-24

Mission Veterans def. Roma 25-9, 25-5, 25-11

District 32-5A

Edcouch-Elsa def. Brownsville Veterans Memorial 20-25, 25-13, 16-25, 26-24, 15-13

Brownsville Lopez def. Mercedes 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23

Donna High def. Valley View 25-14, 25-12, 25-10

District 32-4A

Hidalgo def. Rio Hondo 29-31, 25-15, 25-12, 25-21

La Feria def. Progreso 25-17, 25-13, 25-21

Zapata def. Grulla 25-23, 25-9, 25-21

District 30-6A

McALLEN HIGH DEF. PSJ A NORTH 25-16, 25-15, 25-19

McALLEN HIGH: Madison Helmcamp 26 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace; Lexi Gonzalez 19 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace; Selena Saenz 5 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks, 1 ace; Damaris Llanas 5 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces, 2 assist

PSJA NORTH: Clarissa Alvarez 9 kills; Mikaela Guerrero 5 kills, 1 block; Angel Lozano 16 digs, 5 kills; Alexya Salinas 14 digs; Victoria De Leon 9 digs; Lesley Rodriguez 15 assists; Heaven Lozano 5 assists, 1 ace; Mariana Juarez 2 aces

RECORD: McAllen High 32-7, 5-2; PSJA North 19-11, 4-3

District 31-6A

EDINBURG VELA DEF. WESLACO EAST 25-15, 25-17, 25-10

EDINBURG VELA: Julia Cordon 32 digs, 6 pts; Glenys Maldonado 25 kills, 15 digs, 5 pts; Miranda Negrete 9 kills, 7 digs, 9 pts; Analisa Campos 35 assists, 3 digs, 9 pts; Alyssa Muniz 5 digs, 3 pts; Olivia Vega 4 blocks, 3 pts, 1 kill; Izabelle Rodriguez 7 blocks; Gabby Avila 2 assists 7 pts; Becca Cavazos 5 digs, 2 pts

RECORD: Edinburg Vela 5-1; Weslaco East 2-4

WESLACO HIGH DEF. EDINBURG NORTH 25-22, 15-25, 25-20, 25-20

EDINBURG NORTH: Natalie Rodriguez 23 kills, 10 digs; Cortney Ortiz 6 kills, 4 digs, 2 blocks; Jevanah Burrows 5 kills, 6 blocks; Brandi Garza 17 digs, 2 kills; Jessica Dreyer 23 assists, 15 digs; Evana Ramos 41 digs, 4 kills

RECORD: Weslaco High 5-1; Edinburg North 21-14, 4-2

EDINBURG HIGH DEF. DONNA NORTH 25-11, 25-6, 25-14

EDINBURG HIGH: Renee Ponce 22 assists, 6 kills, 3 digs; Bailey Buckner 4 kills, 3 digs; Vianney Trevino 4 digs, 1 ace; Bryhane Salinas 1 kill, 1 assist; Zarina Rodriguez 2 kills; Victoria Funetes 16 kills, 4 blocks, 3 aces, 2 digs; Arianna Guerra 12 digs, 2 assists, 1 ace; Kristien Salinas 8 digs, 1 kill, 1 assist; Hanna Vega 18 digs, 3 aces, 2 assists, 1 kills

RECORD: Edinburg High 4-2; Donna North 0-5

District 31-5A

MISSION VETERANS DEF. ROMA 25-9, 25-5, 25-11

MISSION VETERANS: Jackie Howell 15 kills, 10 digs; Makenzie Gerlach 12 kills, 9 digs, 2 aces, 1 block; Kassy Lerma 14 kills, 8 digs, 3 aces; Valerie de la Fuente 32 assists, 7 aces, 6 digs; Ronnie Cantu 6 assists, 6 digs, 1 ace; Bella Dominguez 12 digs, 2 ace

RECORD: Mission Veterans 30-3, 7-0

SHARYLAND PIONEER DEF. RIO GRANDE CITY 25-13, 25-21, 26-24

SHARYLAND PIONEER: Daizy Coronado 8 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks; Daniela Alvarez 7 kills, 2 blocks; Jessica Zarate 4 aces, 6 kills, 13 digs; Natalie Reyes 29 assists, 7 digs, 3 aces, 3 blocks; Samantha Ayala 7 kills, 8 digs, 3 aces; Shelby Cavazos 14 digs

RECORD: Sharyland Pioneer 19-16, 5-2; Rio Grande City 0-7

PSJA MEMORIAL DEF. SHARYLAND HIGH 25-22, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-9

SHARYLAND HIGH: Estefania Hinojosa 40 digs, 21 kills, 3 aces; Tristen Maddox 25 digs, 12 kills; Ana Paola Cerda 16 assists, 2 aces; Marissa Jones 5 blocks; Ximena Chapa 29 digs, 1 ace, 2 kills; Aydee Hinojosa 23 assists, 9 digs, 2 kills

RECORD: PSJA Memorial 4-3; Sharyland High 19-15, 5-2

District 32-5A

EDCOUCH-ELSA DEF.

BROWNSVILLE VETERANS 20-25, 25-13, 16-25, 26-24, 15-13

EDCOUCH-ELSA: Endiya Devoe 9 kills, 8 digs, 1 assist; Arissa Cavazos 26 digs, 2 kills, 1 assist; Sarah Flores, 8 kills, 16 digs, 1 assist; Byanka Garcia 13 digs, 2 aces, 1 assist; Veronica Elizondo 27 digs, 11 kills, 4 assists; Maegan Acevedo 26 assists, 12 digs, 1 kill, 6 aces; Paloma Ybarra 18 kills, 19 assists, 21 digs, 1 ace; Neida Ybarra 8 kills, 4 assists, 5 digs, 3 blocks

RECORD: Edcouch-Elsa 23-9, 7-0; Brownsville Veterans 5-2

District 32-4A

HIDALGO DEF. RIO HONDO 29-31, 25-15, 25-12, 25-21

HIDALGO: Barbie Gutierrez 26 kills, 4 assists; Melanie Salinas 4 kills, 4 blocks; Priscilla 8 kills; Vanessa Espinoza 9 kills; Solei Garza 21 assists

RECORD: Hidalgo 8-0

Tuesday, Oct. 2

District 30-6A

McAllen High at McAllen Rowe, 7:30 p.m.

PSJA High at La Joya High, 7:30 p.m.

McAllen Memorial at Mission High, 7:30 p.m.

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m.

District 31-6A

Weslaco East at Donna North, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at Weslaco High, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg North at Edinburg Vela, 6:30 p.m.

District 31-5A

PSJA Memorial at Roma, 6:30 p.m.

Sharyland Pioneer at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m.

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

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

District 32-5A

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

Mercedes at Valley View, 7 p.m.

Donna High at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

PSJA Memorial’s Cruz Gomez is breaking his own records in only his third race of the cross country season. At the McNeil Invitational on Saturday in Round Rock, Gomez finished in 14 minutes, 48.66 seconds — his season and personal best, plus the third-fastest high school 5,000-meter finish in the nation this year, according to Texas MileSplit.

“It feels great, being not only on the top of the state, but also nationwide,” Gomez said. “I’m just glad that I’m able to represent the RGV and my school at that level.”

Though races have been going on since August, the veteran runner Gomez has become an expert at saving his legs. His training stays intense while his race schedule picks up later in the fall.

As a junior, his best time came at state. He ran a 15:13.6, which earned a fifth-place finish.

Last time he raced, on Sept. 1 in Falfurrias, he won with a 15:10.3. Less than a month later, he smashed that time.

“That was one of my goals, to try and break 15 minutes, whether it was McNeil or the state meet,” Gomez said. “It just feels really good to break it this early. Well, not early, because we’re almost done with the season. But it still feels good.”

The state-hopeful senior knew that Old Settlers Park, which also hosts the UIL state meet in November, would be a good place to run a memorable race.

“I wasn’t that surprised, because I’ve been training pretty good,” Gomez said. “It was expected to run fast, especially on that course. Because on that course, almost everyone PRs (sets a personal record). I guess it was just something that was going to happen.”

Gomez’s coach at PSJA Memorial, Leroy Perez, has seen the strategy work before. He’s banking on Gomez to peak when it counts.

“Whenever you have thoroughbreds, it’s a matter or periodization,” Perez said. “It’s a matter of holding them back and just training through, because it’s what you do at the end of the season that matters the most. Last year, we had made some plans to go deep into the postseason. And, sure enough, it paid off. This year, we have some plans to go deep once more.”

During his time away from weekly races, Gomez has traveled the country in search of a university that will allow him to continue his running career.

“In the couple of weeks he didn’t race, he was doing college visits, which is perfect for senior year,” Perez said. “He’s getting to visit colleges, and he puts in his long runs over there.”

“I’m really blessed that God gave him a lot of talent, plus his work ethic,” Perez said. “His grades are excellent. He’s National Honor Society. He’s got a part-time job at Chick-fil-A, but he still does the work. It doesn’t matter if you have a lot of talent, because there’s a lot of kids out there that are pretty good.”

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Freddy Calvillo finished ninth with a time of 15:12.83. The Williams twins from McAllen Memorial were the next best finishers. Trevor Williams finished 18th with a 15:24.22, while Evan’s 15:29.72 was good for a 22nd-ranked finish.

Elsewhere, at the Nike South Invitational in The Woodlands, Donna North’s Jorge Ponce led Valley runners by finishing ninth with a 15:42.60. Mercedes junior Guadalupe Reyes finished 15th with a 15:53.20. Edinburg Vela’s Jeremey Nino was the last RGV runner in the top 20 — he was 17th with a time of 15:55.80.

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