EDINBURG — Edinburg High proved that the kids are all right in a battle between two storied volleyball programs in the midst of a youthful transition period. The Bobcats took down the Sharyland High Rattlers 12-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-18 on Tuesday in Edinburg.

The lone senior who played major minutes on last season’s team, Renee Ponce, said Edinburg High’s young group is susceptible to early jitters.

“Our team has a lot of new players this year, like a lot, and they’re still really scared a little bit,” Ponce said. “Once we play the first game and they get out of their comfort zone, they start swinging and we start playing as a team.”

Ponce led the team with 20 assists, 15 kills, eight aces and tied for the team lead with 15 digs. She also led the team through a first set that was full of defensive errors and miscommunication.

Veteran coach Deanna Dominguez is glad to have the high volleyball IQ of Ponce as an extra set of eyes and ears.

“Renee has been very good about encouraging them, and I’m not going to lie, she’ll get after them, too, but it’s like a little coach on the floor,” Dominguez said. “If I’m not yelling it, she’s right there picking up where I left off.”

Dominguez is working out the wrinkles of her new roster while also dealing with a slew of unavoidable barriers.

“The mistakes have been ever-present, and we have not necessarily had a set lineup,” Dominguez said. “We’ve had kids that were sick or injured or not cleared through UIL, so we’ve been mixing things up. On top of that, we don’t have a lot of experience. Everyone on the bench or in the game was either JV players or with us on varsity but didn’t play much.”

Junior libero Vianney Trevino had 14 digs as the Bobcats picked up their defensive play and neutralized Rattlers hitters. Marissa Jones and Tristen Maddox were impact players early for Sharyland but fizzled as the match progressed.

The second set started hot for Edinburg, with the Bobcats jumping out to a 5-1 lead, but they had to claw back to overtake Sharyland in the 20s. The play of the match came when the Rattlers’ Aydee Hinojosa kicked a ball to keep it alive and her team won the point but dropped the set.

Edinburg finally put it all together in the third and fourth games with comfortable wins, including an exclamation point by Ponce on the winning point.

Senior transfer Bailey Buckner, who comes from San Antonio Taft, made her presence felt from the serving line. She had eight kills and six aces for the Bobcats.

“I’m a mediocre server,” Buckner said. “I’m not really that good at serving, but today it just came in handy.”

The former libero is learning a new position and jelling with her new teammates.

“It’s very new for me to play front row,” Buckner said. “It’s very new to me, but I love the team. Everyone gets along well, and we’re trying to find chemistry.”

[email protected]

Tuesday’s Games

Non-district

Mission Veterans def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-18, 25-18, 25-11

La Joya Palmview def. Mercedes 3-1

Weslaco East def. Grulla 25-20, 25-13, 25-17

Weslaco High def. PSJA North 25-9, 25-14, 21-25, 25-27, 15-12

Rio Grande City def. La Joya High 25-21, 25-21, 25-19

Edinburg Economedes def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, not reported

Donna High def. Harlingen High 22-25, 25-12, 26-24, 25-18

Edinburg Vela def. Mission High 25-11, 25-16, 23-25, 25-20

McAllen High def. Sharyland Pioneer 25-17, 25-18, 28-26

Edinburg High def. Sharyland High 12-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-18

Harlingen South def. PSJA Memorial 25-16, 26-24, 25-18

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Hanna 13-25, 25-19, 15-25, 25-21, 15-5

Roma def. Zapata 25-21, 25-14, 25-12

McAllen Memorial def. Laredo LBJ 25-19, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Rivera 25-13, 25-19, 25-19

VALLEY HS VOLLEYBALL BOX SCORES

Tuesday’s Games

Non-District

McALLEN HIGH DEF. SHARYLAND PIONEER

25-17, 25-18, 28-26

McALLEN HIGH: Lexi Gonzalez 15 digs, 13 kills, 2 aces; Madison Helmcamp 14 assists, 7 digs, 5 dilgs, 1 ace; Audrey Zamora 20 digs, 2 assist; Alexa Ramirez 6 kills; Camila Salinas 6 aces, 6 assists; Haide Moore 5 kills, 2 aces

SHARYLAND PIONEER: Daniela Alvarez 8 kills, 6 blocks; Elizabeth Fina 45 digs; Jessica Zarate 9 kills, 3 blocks; Lauren Brechler 22 assists; Samantha Ayala 21 digs, 2 aces, 5 kills

Non-District

ROMA DEF. ZAPATA

25-16, 25-17, 26-16

ROMA: Alba Gonzalez 8 kills, 8 digs; Alissa Gonzalez 29 assists, 2 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace; Andrea Mascorro 8 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces; Anelle Mascorro 6 aces, 5 digs, 1 kill; Mya Salinas 5 kill, Hannah Garza 7 digs, 3 aces, 2 kills

McALLEN ROWE DEF. BROWNSVILLE RIVERA

25-13, 25-19, 25-19

McALLEN ROWE: Jackelyn Alanis 21 kills, 14 digs, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 ace; Victoria Galindo 5 blocks, 2 kills; Anna Honrubia: 16 digs, 6 kills, 1 block, 1 assist

RECORD: McAllen Rowe 12-5

WELSACO HIGH DEF. PSJA NORTH

25-9, 25-14, 21-25, 25-27, 15-12

PSJA NORTH: Clarissa Alvarez 21 kills, Angel Lozano 27 digs, 10 assists, 2 aces; Lesley Rodriguez 24 assists; Alexis De Leon 24 digs, Miakela Guerrero 9 blocks, 9 kills; Mariana Juarez 3 blocks

McALLEN MEMORIAL DEF. LAREDO LBJ

25-19, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22

McALLEN MEMORIAL: Jocelynn Everage 33 kills, 11 digs; Valeria Trevino 15 digs, 13 kills

Valley HS Volleyball Schedule 2018

Thursday’s Games

Eighth Annual Volley at the Beach Tournament (Port Isabel)

Pool 1

PSJA Southwest def. Port Isabel 25-18, 25-13

Santa Rosa def. Progreso 22-25, 25-12, 15-9

Port Isabel def. Progreso 19-25, 26-24, 15-5

PSJA Southwest def. Santa Rosa 17-25, 25-11, 16-14

PSJA Southwest def. Progreso 25-12, 25-15

Santa Rosa def. Port Isabel 25-22, 25-27, 15-9

Pool 2

Weslaco East def. Rio Hondo 25-18, 25-4

Brownsville Hanna def. Brownsville Lopez 28-26, 27-25

Brownsville Lopez def. Rio Hondo 25-9, 26-24

Brownsville Hanna def. Weslaco East 25-14, 25-22

Weslaco East def. Brownsville Lopez 25-14, 25-18

Brownsville Hanna def. Rio Hondo 25-10, 25-11

Friday’s Games

Mission Volleyball Tournament

Pool 1 (at Mission High)

Mission High def. La Joya Palmview 25-11, 25-15

Laredo Cigarroa def. Valley View 25-20, 25-16

La Joya Palmview def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-13, 25-23

Mission High def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-18, 25-17

La Joya Palmview def. Valley View 25-23, 25-15

Pool 2 (at Mission High)

Harlingen High def. PSJA Memorial 25-10, 21-25, 15-9

Mission High JV def. La Joya High 25-17, 22-25, 15-10

Harlingen High def. La Joya High 25-9, 25-11

PSJA Memorial def. Mission High JV 25-16, 25-20

Harlingen High def. Mission High JV 25-13, 25-17
PSJA Memorial def. La Joya High 25-16, 25-8

Pool 3 (at Mission High)

Brownsville Veterans def. Rio Grande City 25-8, 25-22

Rio Grande City def. Grulla 25-15, 25-20

Brownsville Veterans def. Grulla 25-13, 25-15

Edinburg North def. Rio Grande City 25-11, 25-18

Brownsville Veterans def. Edinburg North 25-20, 18-25, 15-12

Edinburg North def. Grulla 25-21, 25-14

Pool 4 (at Mission High)

Corpus Christi Veterans def. PSJA North 25-13, 25-7

PSJA North def. Lyford 25-8, 25-7

Corpus Christi Veterans def. Lyford 25-17, 26-24

PSJA North def. Edinburg High 25-21, 25-19

Corpus Christi Veterans def. Edinburg High 25-17, 25-22

Edinburg High def. Lyford 25-13, 25-19

Pool 5 (at Mission Veterans)

Mission Veterans def. PSJA High 25-8, 25-7

Laredo LBJ def. Hidalgo 25-14, 25-15

Mission Veterans def. Hidalgo 25-12, 25-14

Laredo LBJ def. PSJA High 25-22, 25-10

Mission Veterans def. Laredo LBJ 25-16, 25-21

PSJA High def. Hidalgo 14-25, 25-16, 15-6

Pool 6 (at Mission Veterans)

Sharyland High def. Donna North 25-13, 25-21

San Benito def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-6, 25-17

Sharyland High def. San Benito 16-25, 25-19, 15-11

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. Donna North 25-17, 21-25

Sharyland High def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-13, 25-9

San Benito def. Donna North 25-7, 25-12

Pool 7 (at Mission Veterans)

Laredo United South def. Zapata 25-12, 25-8

Brownsville Pace def. Zapata 25-18, 25-19

Laredo United South def. Brownsville Pace 25-13, 25-14

Edinburg Vela def. Zapata 25-12, 25-10

Laredo United South def. Edinburg Vela 25-23, 25-23

Edinburg Vela def. Brownsville Pace 25-20, 25-19

Pool 8 (at Mission Veterans)

Brownsville Rivera def. Mercedes 25-12, 25-14
Mercedes def. Sharyland Pioneer 25-22, 22-25, 16-14

Brownsville Rivera def. Sharyland Pioneer 25-22, 25-20

Mercedes def. Edinburg Economedes 25-19, 26-24

Brownsville Rivera def. Edinburg Economededs 25-15, 25-19

Sharyland Pioneer def. Edinburg Economedes 25-13, 25-21

North East ISD Invitational

Pool 4

McAllen Rowe def. San Antonio Lee 25-12, 25-12

McAllen Rowe def. Boerne Champion 25-13, 25-19

Pool 8

Smithson Valley def. McAllen Memorial 25-19, 25-14

McAllen Memorial def. San Antonio MacArthur 25-18, 25-16

Eighth Annual Volley at the Beach Tournament (Port Isabel)

Pool 3

Los Fresnos def. La Feria 25-11, 19-25, 15-7

St. Joseph Academy def. Monte Alto 25-20, 25-18

Los Fresnos def. Corpus Christi Carroll 25-19, 25-17

Corpus Christi Carroll def. La Fera 25-19, 25-16

Los Fresnos def. St. Joseph Academy 25-8, 25-16

La Feria def. Monte Alto 25-5, 25-17

Corpus Christi Carroll def. St. Joseph Academy 25-18, 25-10

Port Isabel def. Monte Alto 25-15, 25-17

Sinton Varsity Classic

Pool 5

Brownsville St. Joesph def. Freer 25-7, 25-10

Sinton def. Brownsville St. Joesph 25-20, 25-21

Brownsville St. Joseph de.f Laredo Martin 26-24, 31-29

Pool 6

Port Lavaca def. Harlingen South 25-17, 25-22

Harlingen South def. Cuero 25-22, 25-23

San Antonio Taft def. Harlingen South 25-16, 23-25, 25-22

Pool 7

Edcouch-Elsa def. IWA 25-15, 27-25

Beeville def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-10, 25-14

Edcouch-Elsa def. George West 23-25, 25-12, 25-9

Pool 8

Roma def. Bishop 20-25, 25-14, 25-16

Roma def. Robstown 25-20, 25-20

Austin Anderson def. Roma 25-13, 25-18

SAISD Volleyball Tournament

Round One

Donna High def. John Paul II 25-23, 25-16

Donna High def. San Antonio Southwest 25-20, 23-25, 26-24

McAllen High def. Eagle Pass Winn 25-9, 25-16

McAllen High def. Lanier 25-6, 25-14

Round Two Gold Division

Medina Valley def. Donna High 25-20, 25-20

St. Anthony def. McAllen High 25-20, 26-24

Saturday’s Games

Mission Volleyball Tournament

Gold Bracket

Brownsville Rivera def. Mission High 25-15, 25-15

Brownsville Veterans def. Sharyland High 25-18, 25-20

Mission Veterans def. Corpus Christi Veterans 25-11, 25-18

Laredo United South def. Harlingen High 25-15, 22-25, 25-15

Mission Veterans def. Brownsville Rivera 25-14, 25-12

Laredo United South def. Brownsville Veterans 25-16, 25-22

Mission Veterans def. Laredo United South 25-12, 25-13

Silver Bracket

Mercedes def. La Joya Palmview 25-23, 25-13

San Benito def. Edinburg North 25-23, 25-14

Laredo LBJ def. PSJA North 25-14, 25-9

Edinburg Vela def. PSJA Memorial 25-20, 20-25, 25-19

Laredo LBJ def. Mercedes 17-25, 25-13, 25-14

San Benito def. Edinburg Vela 25-23, 25-17

Laredo LBJ def. San Benito 21-25, 25-23, 25-16

Bronze Bracket

Sharyland Pioneer def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-12, 25-15

Rio Grande City def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-17, 14-25, 26-24

PSJA High def. Edinburg High 25-23, 25-20

Brownsville Pace def. Mission JV 25-17, 25-13

Sharyland Pioneer def. PSJA High 23-25, 28-26, 25-20

Brownsville Pace def. Rio Grande City

Sharyland Pioneer def. Brownsville Pace 25-16, 25-13

Ruby Bracket

Grulla def. Donna North 25-19, 25-23

Hidalgo def. Lyford 25-17, 25-16

Zapata def. La Joya High 25-23, 25-20

Edinburg Economedes def. Hidalgo 25-17, 19-25, 26-24

Zapata def. Grulla 25-14, 25-19

Edinburg Economedes def. Zapata 25-20, 26-20

Sinton Varsity Classic

Championship Bracket

Port Lavaca def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-12, 25-22

Flour Bluff def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-18, 25-21

Third-place match: Edcouch-Elsa def. Sinton 25-11, 19-25, 25-18

Gold Bracket

Victora St. Joesph def. Roma 25-10, 25-17

Ingleside def. roma 26-24, 25-16

Silver bracket

IWA def. Harlingen South 25-21, 19-25, 25-10

Consolation: Harlingen South def. Yoakum 25-15, 25-22

Eighth Annual Volley at the Beach Tournament (Port Isabel)

Gold Division

Quarterfinals

Brownsville Hanna def. Port Isabel 25-20, 25-14

Corpus Christi Carroll def. Weslaco East 25-23, 26-24

Los Fresnos def. La Feria 25-1, 25-14

PSJA Southwest def. Santa Rosa 25-12, 25-14

Semifinals

Brownsville Hanna def. Corpus Christi Carroll 18-25, 25-15, 15-12

Los Fresnos def. PSJA Southwest 25-16, 25-13

Consolation Semifinals

Weslaco East def. Port Isabel 25-23, 25-8

La Feria def. Santa Rosa 25-15, 25-19

Consolation Championship

La Feria def. Weslaco East 25-12, 25-21

Third Place

Corpus Christi Carroll def. PSJA Southwest 25-20, 21-25, 15-5

Championship

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 25-17, 25-12

Silver Division

Play-in Match

Rio Hondo def. Monte Alto by forfeit

Semifinals

St. Joseph Academy def. Progreso 25-16, 25-18

Brownsville Lopez def. Rio Hondo 25-10, 25-15

Third Place

Rio Hondo def. Progreso 25-15, 25-19

Championship

Brownsville Lopez def. St. Joseph Academy 25-15, 25-12

SAISD Invitational

Gold Bracket

San Antonio Clemens def. McAllen Rowe 25-15, 25-15

Smithson Valley def. McAllen Rowe 25-20, 25-19

San Antonio Brennen def. McAlllen Rowe 25-20, 25-10

Silver Bracket

McAllen High def. Medina Valley 25-17, 25-18

McAllen High def. Burbank 25-16, 25-16

McAllen High def. Donna High 25-19, 25-14

North East Invitational

Silver Bracket

McAllen Memorial def. San Antonio Harlan 18-25, 25-16, 25-19

McAllen Memorial def. Boerne-Champion 27-25, 15-25, 27-25

McAllen Memorial def. Laredo United 25-21, 25-18

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — The Mission Veterans volleyball team has high late-season goals. Seniors Jackie Howell and Makenzie Gerlach want to be the only group to not just win four straight district titles, but do so without the blemish of a district loss.

The Patriots are planning to reach that goal by competing hard against every non-district opponent leading up to 31-5A play, no matter if it is a bigger school from a higher classification.

So far, so good for Mission Veterans, which improved to 13-3 overall on the season after a 25-12, 25-13 win over Laredo United South on Saturday in the Mission Tournament championship. The Patriots didn’t drop a set in the tournament.

Howell and Gerlach shared tournament MVP honors after making quick work of the tournament final. Howell led the team with 12 kills, two aces and six digs.

Gerlach had four kills and four digs in the final.

In their first tournament, last weekend in Pearland, the Patriots defeated schools like San Antonio Brennan, George Ranch and Friendswood, twice. Many of the matches in Pearland were against 6A schools from major metropolitan hubs.

“It’s good to build confidence, because when we play somebody like George Ranch, they have three commits to Baylor. And when you’re playing them and can beat them, it really shows what you’re capable of and what your team is capable of,” Gerlach said after Saturday’s match. “When you go up there… everybody is just tall and quick. It doesn’t matter (who it is). But when you can beat them and show them who you are, when you’re 5-6 to 5-8, it’s really nice.”

After Howell and Gerlach, Kassy Lerma has been a solid third offensive option and has made teams pay when they are tentative toward a ball that is hovering above the net.

Lerma collected seven kills, three digs and two blocks. During Saturday’s final, she had an extra pair of eyes on her, because someone in the crowd was holding a larger-than-life cardboard cutout of her head. The junior said the large image of her own face worked as a bit of motivation.

“We bought it last year. We never used it, so I was like, ‘Just bring it,’” she said with a chuckle after the final. “Every time I saw it, I was like, ‘Come on, hit it.’”

Lerma says she’s happy to be in the same conversation as the team’s senior leaders.

“It feels really good,” Lerma said. “It’s nice to know that they think I’m one of them. But really, it’s all of us. It feels nice. All of us, every single play we go way back. We all started club ball together, we’ve had heartbreaks together. We’re sisters.”

The Patriots have a way of keeping a light attitude on the court even as they elevate their play to become the top volleyball team in the area.

“It’s the key. It’s not really playing if you’re not having fun,” Gerlach said. “We go places when we’re having fun. When we’re mad and we get down on ourselves, we stay. We plateau and stop. When we’re having fun, it doesn’t matter if we’re losing. There’s always a way to come back.”

Valeria de la Fuente led the Patriots in assists with 15 and also helped the team to four straight points off her serve during the first set.

Mission Veterans head coach and Kassy’s mother Diana Lerma said tough early competition can help the group earn respect and reach its ultimate goals.

“We’ve had girls in the past that have had four district titles, but not undefeated ones,” Diana Lerma said. “Down here, we call ourselves the ‘it’ team, because we’ve been a powerhouse in the 5A for many years. La mera papa, the powerhouse. Then, we go over there, to Pearland and they rank us 74 of 75 teams. We were known as “that” team. You lost to that team?”

[email protected]

Valley HS Volleyball Schedule 2018

Thursday’s Games

Eighth Annual Volley at the Beach Tournament (Port Isabel)

Pool 1

PSJA Southwest def. Port Isabel 25-18, 25-13

Santa Rosa def. Progreso 22-25, 25-12, 15-9

Port Isabel def. Progreso 19-25, 26-24, 15-5

PSJA Southwest def. Santa Rosa 17-25, 25-11, 16-14

PSJA Southwest def. Progreso 25-12, 25-15

Santa Rosa def. Port Isabel 25-22, 25-27, 15-9

Pool 2

Weslaco East def. Rio Hondo 25-18, 25-4

Brownsville Hanna def. Brownsville Lopez 28-26, 27-25

Brownsville Lopez def. Rio Hondo 25-9, 26-24

Brownsville Hanna def. Weslaco East 25-14, 25-22

Weslaco East def. Brownsville Lopez 25-14, 25-18

Brownsville Hanna def. Rio Hondo 25-10, 25-11

Friday’s Games

Mission Volleyball Tournament

Pool 1 (at Mission High)

Mission High def. La Joya Palmview 25-11, 25-15

Laredo Cigarroa def. Valley View 25-20, 25-16

La Joya Palmview def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-13, 25-23

Mission High def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-18, 25-17

La Joya Palmview def. Valley View 25-23, 25-15

Pool 2 (at Mission High)

Harlingen High def. PSJA Memorial 25-10, 21-25, 15-9

Mission High JV def. La Joya High 25-17, 22-25, 15-10

Harlingen High def. La Joya High 25-9, 25-11

PSJA Memorial def. Mission High JV 25-16, 25-20

Harlingen High def. Mission High JV 25-13, 25-17
PSJA Memorial def. La Joya High 25-16, 25-8

Pool 3 (at Mission High)

Brownsville Veterans def. Rio Grande City 25-8, 25-22

Rio Grande City def. Grulla 25-15, 25-20

Brownsville Veterans def. Grulla 25-13, 25-15

Edinburg North def. Rio Grande City 25-11, 25-18

Brownsville Veterans def. Edinburg North 25-20, 18-25, 15-12

Edinburg North def. Grulla 25-21, 25-14

Pool 4 (at Mission High)

Corpus Christi Veterans def. PSJA North 25-13, 25-7

PSJA North def. Lyford 25-8, 25-7

Corpus Christi Veterans def. Lyford 25-17, 26-24

PSJA North def. Edinburg High 25-21, 25-19

Corpus Christi Veterans def. Edinburg High 25-17, 25-22

Edinburg High def. Lyford 25-13, 25-19

Pool 5 (at Mission Veterans)

Mission Veterans def. PSJA High 25-8, 25-7

Laredo LBJ def. Hidalgo 25-14, 25-15

Mission Veterans def. Hidalgo 25-12, 25-14

Laredo LBJ def. PSJA High 25-22, 25-10

Mission Veterans def. Laredo LBJ 25-16, 25-21

PSJA High def. Hidalgo 14-25, 25-16, 15-6

Pool 6 (at Mission Veterans)

Sharyland High def. Donna North 25-13, 25-21

San Benito def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-6, 25-17

Sharyland High def. San Benito 16-25, 25-19, 15-11

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. Donna North 25-17, 21-25

Sharyland High def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-13, 25-9

San Benito def. Donna North 25-7, 25-12

Pool 7 (at Mission Veterans)

Laredo United South def. Zapata 25-12, 25-8

Brownsville Pace def. Zapata 25-18, 25-19

Laredo United South def. Brownsville Pace 25-13, 25-14

Edinburg Vela def. Zapata 25-12, 25-10

Laredo United South def. Edinburg Vela 25-23, 25-23

Edinburg Vela def. Brownsville Pace 25-20, 25-19

Pool 8 (at Mission Veterans)

Brownsville Rivera def. Mercedes 25-12, 25-14
Mercedes def. Sharyland Pioneer 25-22, 22-25, 16-14

Brownsville Rivera def. Sharyland Pioneer 25-22, 25-20

Mercedes def. Edinburg Economedes 25-19, 26-24

Brownsville Rivera def. Edinburg Economededs 25-15, 25-19

Sharyland Pioneer def. Edinburg Economedes 25-13, 25-21

North East ISD Invitational

Pool 4

McAllen Rowe def. San Antonio Lee 25-12, 25-12

McAllen Rowe def. Boerne Champion 25-13, 25-19

Pool 8

Smithson Valley def. McAllen Memorial 25-19, 25-14

McAllen Memorial def. San Antonio MacArthur 25-18, 25-16

Eighth Annual Volley at the Beach Tournament (Port Isabel)

Pool 3

Los Fresnos def. La Feria 25-11, 19-25, 15-7

St. Joseph Academy def. Monte Alto 25-20, 25-18

Los Fresnos def. Corpus Christi Carroll 25-19, 25-17

Corpus Christi Carroll def. La Feria 25-19, 25-16

Los Fresnos def. St. Joseph Academy 25-8, 25-16

La Feria def. Monte Alto 25-5, 25-17

Corpus Christi Carroll def. St. Joseph Academy 25-18, 25-10

Port Isabel def. Monte Alto 25-15, 25-17

Sinton Varsity Classic

Pool 5

Brownsville St. Joesph def. Freer 25-7, 25-10

Sinton def. Brownsville St. Joesph 25-20, 25-21

Brownsville St. Joseph de.f Laredo Martin 26-24, 31-29

Pool 6

Port Lavaca def. Harlingen South 25-17, 25-22

Harlingen South def. Cuero 25-22, 25-23

San Antonio Taft def. Harlingen South 25-16, 23-25, 25-22

Pool 7

Edcouch-Elsa def. IWA 25-15, 27-25

Beeville def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-10, 25-14

Edcouch-Elsa def. George West 23-25, 25-12, 25-9

Pool 8

Roma def. Bishop 20-25, 25-14, 25-16

Roma def. Robstown 25-20, 25-20

Austin Anderson def. Roma 25-13, 25-18

SAISD Volleyball Tournament

Round One

Donna High def. John Paul II 25-23, 25-16

Donna High def. San Antonio Southwest 25-20, 23-25, 26-24

McAllen High def. Eagle Pass Winn 25-9, 25-16

McAllen High def. Lanier 25-6, 25-14

Round Two Gold Division

Medina Valley def. Donna High 25-20, 25-20

St. Anthony def. McAllen High 25-20, 26-24

Sinton Varsity Classic

Championship Bracket

Edcouch-Elsa vs. Port Lavaca, 11 a.m.

Gold Bracket

Brownsville St. Joesph vs. Roma, 9 a.m.

Silver bracket

Harlingen South vs. IWA, 11 a.m.

Eighth Annual Volley at the Beach Tournament (Port Isabel)

Saturday’s Schedule

Gold Division

Quarterfinals, 9 a.m.

Semifinals, 11 a.m.

Championship, 5 p.m.

Silver Division

Semifinals, 11 a.m.

Championship, 3 p.m.

North Eeat ISD Invitational

Gold Bracket

McAllen Rowe vs. San Antonio Clemens, 9:15 a.m.

Silver Bracket

McAllen Memorial vs. San Antonio Harlan, 8 a.m.

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Don’t forget that the McAllen High Bulldogs reached the 2017 playoffs. And don’t forget that McHi was a young team, even if their top two yard-earners, Gunnar Henderson and Roy Gutierrez, played their final high school game last season.

McHi stumbled out of the gate and needed a late-season push and some dramatic wins to advance to the postseason. Reaching the playoffs was an exciting ride that was fittingly clinched on the back and legs of a hobbling Henderson against Mission High in Week 11.

The Bulldogs hear the chatter that this year might be more difficult than last. Their district loses La Joya Palmview but gains PSJA High and PSJA North.

“Some say that it’s going to be a tougher season because of that solely,” all-district defensive end Mason Brewer said. “We’re ready for the competition. It’s only going to make us better each week. As we go through each game, we’re just going to get better. It’s going to help us through the season and toward the end of our season.”

Sixth-year coach Kevin Brewer said that reaching the playoffs was an important accomplishment after a “bit of an up-and-down year.” The experience, in his eyes, was priceless.

“When you can take a team that can has 12 sophomores on varsity — and I think eight of them that were starting at one point — and fight, and with the last two district ball games get into the playoffs, that’s huge,” Kevin Brewer said.

The Bulldogs hope that they’ve found another explosive all-purpose back with junior Octavian Lewis. The running back, who is also ready to catch balls out of the backfield, will get the bulk of the touches, according to Kevin Brewer.

“Lewis is going to start at tailback … but we also have Troy Martinez back there. We have Sadge Diaz back there,” Kevin Brewer said. “We have a nice little stable of tailbacks that we can roll in there and maybe kind of get that thunder and lightning going that we had.”

The Bulldogs suffered some notable losses, but Kevin Brewer said he hopes the team will be a different beast once it starts clicking.

“You reload, and I feel really good about what we’re reloading with,” he said.

NEW MAN UNDER CENTER

Aaron Nixon decided to dedicate his last two high school seasons to the diamond, as the University of Texas Longhorns baseball commit hangs up his football cleats. He ran 39 times last season and passed for 815 yards after becoming the full-time starter during district play.

“You always hate to see kids not finish their football career, but that being said, I never wavered as far as the young man that we got that’s going to start the season for us, and that’s Brian Garza,” Kevin Brewer said. “I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat. He’s doing a great job. I think our offense is going to keep rocking and rolling.”

Enter junior quarterback Brian Garza, who worked as the No. 1 QB during the spring while Nixon was in the midst of the baseball team’s playoff run. Garza said the time working with his projected first unit helped, and the group had already built chemistry and laid a foundation coming into the first week of practice.

“It gave me confidence going into this fall, and it gave me a lot of time and opportunity to work with my receivers. That way, we can mesh and get good on our routes,” Garza said. “We have really good athletes on both sides of the ball. We can play both ways.

They can do a lot with the ball in their hands, or even when it’s not. Octavian (Lewis) is someone we can depend to get the ball when the game is on the line to get us first downs.”
Blocking for the offense will be two returners and three newcomers to the O-line.

CHOMPING AT THE BIT

The Bulldogs defense wants to be better. That’s no secret. Linebacker Trace Gagne said during the spring that an attitude change would help the group handle adversity and difficult stretches.

McHi ranked at the bottom of District 30-6A in run defense and total yards against. The Bulldogs gave up 2,386 yards on the ground and 3,873 overall. On offense, McHi gained 2,959 total yards.
Mason Brewer said the group will benefit from playing an entire year together.

“Last year, a lot of us young guys had been on the sub-varsities before that, and then we had our first year all together last year,” Mason Brewer said. “We’ve already experienced it. We went through it all. We went through a whole season together. We have a better idea of what we need to do individually and as a team to stop the run.”

The Bulldogs return three of their top five leading tacklers in Jackson Helmcamp (80), Daniel Chiquito (60) and Trace Gagne (56).

“Almost all of our defense is coming back. We only had one graduating this past year,” Mason Brewer said. “We have guys that have really been working on the run game since the offseason began. We’ve been working on it, because we had a tough time last year against big running backs and stuff. We need to figure out what we’re doing against certain schemes and certain plays.”

[email protected]

KEYS TO THE SEASON

For McAllen High to move past the era of Gunnar Henderson, Roy Gutierrez and Aaron Nixon, the Bulldogs will need the whole team pulling a bit of the rope. They can reach the playoffs and should have an easy time staying in the hunt in a district full of parity. They won’t get in unless they are stingier on defense and get offensive contributions from a host of athletes, led by Octavian Lewis and Brian Garza.

2017 record: 4-7

Returning starters O/D: 4/10

COACH’S TENURE

Coach: Kevin Brewer

Year at school: 6th

Record at school: 29-26

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

SAN JUAN — During coach Lupe Rodriguez’s first season at PSJA High last year, the Bears took District 31-6A and much of the Valley by storm. Gunslinging quarterback Trey Guajardo threw for 2,919 yards and 29 touchdown passes as a junior en route to a second-place finish in district and a return to the postseason after a two-year absence.

Six different receivers caught a Guajardo pass for a score, and two of those players return, led by Trey’s younger cousin Marco, who had 27 receptions. The receiving core that Trey will throw to this year has varsity experience and is now part of the main attraction.

“Offensively, all the starting receivers this year got playing time last year, but they’re all juniors, so I’m the older man out there,” Trey Guajardo said. “Just giving them that confidence and being the leader out there that they need. I feel like if I can do that and do my job, we’re going to have a great season.”

The quarterback saw his team go from 3-7 to 8-3 in just one year. He knows that giving opponents a rare pass-first look goes a long way, and he said he hopes that strength can carry the Bears deep into the postseason during his senior year.

“Being able to have that difference, where we’re one of the teams that’s able to throw the ball a lot, I think it only helps us. Not only down here, but when we get to those farther levels. That’s what we’re aiming for,” Trey Guajardo said. “Not only to get district champs, of course, but to go far in the playoffs and keep going.”

Rodriguez said he took a look at the PSJA roster after coming from his offensive coordinator position at Mission Veterans and didn’t think it would take long to steer the ship in the right direction.

“When I came in, I saw a lot of talent, and I even told our coaching staff, ‘There’s no reason why we should not be successful,’” Rodriguez said. “I told them, ‘I’m not going to make an excuse that a lot of first-time coaches say, that it’s going to take two or three years to build a program.’ We’re going to let them know right from the start that we’re going to set our goals and standards high.”

That attitude turned into 42 touchdowns and a lot of nights the Bears looked like they couldn’t be slowed.

PSJA’s special run came apart at the end of the season, as the Bears dropped their final three games — against Edinburg Vela and Edinburg North to finish district, then to Weslaco East in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

To help Trey Guajardo and the offense add more layers, J.R. Vasquez will be asked to carry the ball more.

TRACK SPEED

“It helps a lot, being able to just throw the ball out there and having them go under and get the ball. It helps,” Trey Guajardo said. “It makes my job easier, knowing that I can trust them having the speed that they have. They’ve grown a lot, and it’s really noticeable now.”

Rodriguez said track serves as speed training for many of his skill players during the offseason. Wide receivers coach Mike Fernandez is largely responsible for the symbiosis since he also serves as the head track coach.

Miguel Flores, a junior receiver who caught 11 passes and scored a touchdown last season, is one of the players who also runs track. At last season’s District 31-6A track meet, he won first place in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.49 seconds.

“It’s fun, because we have a lot of speed, and we’re all young,” Flores said. “Most of our receivers run track, and I think that’s what’s better for our team. It keeps us conditioned. It keeps us more ready than all the other guys.”

The 800 and 1,600 relay teams also won gold at district. That group included Marco Guajardo, Jose Andrade and Miguel Flores — all returning football athletes.

BIG BOYS READY TO STOP THE RUN

At both defensive end positions, the Bears have players they believe can create pressure against running attacks and mobile quarterbacks alike.

Junior Manny Castillo stands 6 feet tall, while senior Marcos Pedraza is even taller. His Hudl profile lists him at 6-foot-4.

“It is a good combination to have speed and strength. I’d say defensive end is one of the hardest positions out there,” Pedraza said. “You have to be in shape. You have to be moving on the time. You got to have that quick burst, and you have to beat that guy first off the line every time.”

Castillo said he was glad he made a big impact as a sophomore, and he’s hoping his hard work will pay off fulfilling a role he enjoys.

“We’re excited about working in the trenches,” Castillo said. “I love everything about it, digging deep against all the big linemen and all that. I had a good season last year as a sophomore, and it’s a good experience coming back. That first game, I had chills. But other than that, it was a great season.”

The Bears defense recovered six fumbles. The secondary, led by returner Jacob Sanchez, picked off 15 passes.

[email protected]

KEYS TO THE SEASON

The Bears were a hit in 2017 and one of the biggest surprises with such a strong turnaround from 2016. Their key will be to continue to pass the ball with success, even as more teams expect the air game from quarterback Trey Guajardo. Size on the defensive line will be crucial as the Bears try to wrap up some of the Valley’s top runners and run offenses. They should be a playoff team and competing for the top spot if they replicate last season’s performance.

2017 record: 8-3

Returning starters O/D: 5/7

COACH’S TENURE

Coach: Lupe Rodriguez

Year at school: Second

Record at school: 8-3

This story has been updated to correctly state that Trey and Marco Guajardo are cousins.

Valley HS Volleyball Schedule 2018

Tuesday’s Games

Non-District

McAllen Memorial def. Laredo United 25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 25-16

Laredo LBJ def. Roma 25-12, 25-10, 25-14

Mission Veterans def. Laredo Alexander 25-18, 18-25, 25-15, 25-13

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. Donna North 25-22, 9-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-9

PSJA North def. Edinburg Economedes 25-23, 25-17, 16-25, 26-24

Sharyland Pioneer def. Rio Hondo 25-7, 25-12, 25-15

San Benito def. Edinburg Vela 25-20, 27-25, 25-20

Laredo Nixon def. La Joya High 25-20, 25-12, 25-19

Sharyland High def. Harlingen South 25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20

Brownsville Rivera at McAllen High, cancelled

PSJA Southwest def. Brownsville Veterans 20-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-10, 15-8

Valley View at Brownsville Porter, not reported

Edinburg North def. Harlingen High 25-19, 25-18, 16-25, 25-23

McAllen Rowe def. Los Fresnos 20-25, 26-24, 15-25, 25-15, 15-12

Donna High def. PSJA Memorial 25-18, 25-13, 25-17

PSJA High def. Hidalgo 25-15, 26-24, 25-18

Brownsville Hanna def. Brownsville Pace 25-16, 25-189, 20-25, 25-17

Brownsville St. Joseph def. San Isidro 25-9, 25-19, 25-14

VALLEY HS VOLLEYBALL BOX SCORES

Tuesday’s Games

Non-District

PSJA NORTH DEF. EDINBURG ECONOMEDES

25-23, 25-17, 16-25, 26-24

PSJA NORTH: Mikaela Guerro 12 kills; Clarissa Alvarez 11 kills, 17 digs; Angel Lozano 12 assists, 19 digs, 4 aces, Aubrey Trevino, 3 blocks; Mariana Juarez 2 blocks;

LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN DEF. DONNA NORTH

25-22, 9-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-9

LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN: Ericka Hernandez 1 kill, 4 digs, 7 races; Yolanda Hernandez 15 kills 1 assist, 2 block 2 ace; Leah Gallego 6 kills, 4 aces; Jessyca Alvarez 1 kills 15 assists; Natalie Garcia 5 digs; Wendy Portillo 5 kills 1 blocks; Jennifer Perez 3 kills; Sidnney Munoz 3 assist; Arlene Rodriguez 2 kills 4 assist; Michelle Garcia 1 dig 2 assist; Gracie Ruiz 1 kill 1 dig

McALLEN ROWE DEF. LOS FRESNOS

20-25, 26-24, 13-25, 25-15, 15-12

McALLEN ROWE: Jackie Alanis 46 kills, 47 digs, 3 aces, 1 block, 1 assist; Anna Hornrubia 11 kills, 3 aces, 26 digs; Jessica Martinez 11 digs; Jewel Palomo 31 assist 15 digs; Samantha Sifuentes 22 assist, 9 digs; Valeria Hinojosa 13 digs, 3 assists; Victoria Enriquez 3 blocks, 2 kills; Sofia Higareda 3 kills, 2 assists; Victoria Galindo 7 blocks, 2 kills; Luaren Moubray 2 kills

EDINBURG NORTH def. HARLINGEN HIGH

25-19, 25-18, 25-13, 16-25, 25-23

EDINBURG NORTH: Natalie Rodriguez 21 kills, 18 digs; Evana Ramos 22 digs; Jessica Dreyer 18 assists 8 digs

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Los Fresnos and McAllen Rowe were back on the court to face each other Tuesday after meeting just a few days ago in the gold bracket third-place match of the McAllen Poundfest.

After five long sets, the Warriors came out on top over the visiting Falcons 20-25, 26-24, 13-25, 25-15, 15-12.

McAllen Rowe looked like a team still working out some early season kinks, while Los Fresnos took advantage of any mistake the Warriors made early in the match. But as time went on, a familiar force, Jackie Alanis, took over the match and secured the win for the Warriors. She had 46 kills, 47 digs, three aces and a block.

“It’s good to have a game like this, because we’re getting for district,” Alanis said after the victory. “Games like this help get us ready for the McAllen schools like McHi, Memorial. Los Fresnos is a good team. I’ll give them that. They were picking up almost everything. And that’s exactly what McHi and Memorial will do. They’re going to give a good game. They’re going to give us a fight.”

Los Fresnos put up strong efforts in the first three sets. The Falcons were the first team to break away after both teams exchanged points for much of the first set. Veteran Falcons coach Becky Woods said that Tuesday’s game is the type of contest every team wants early.

“I wish we could play (competition like) this all year long, because they prepare us for the end,” Woods said. “It prepares for district. It prepares us for playoffs. It’s always a great game between us and Rowe. And we took them to five. They probably have one of the best, if not the best, hitter in the Valley — and my girls were picking it up. They were digging those hits. I’m proud of them. In that one game, we blew them out.”

The second set started hot for Los Fresnos. The Falcons jumped out to a 5-0 lead, including a point due to an illegal rotation from the Warriors — an infraction they would repeat twice in the match. However, the Warriors were able to overcome the slow start behind the hitting of Alanis and the defense of their middle blockers.

The third set was even uglier for the Warriors, and they weren’t able to claw their way back like in the previous set. The visiting Falcons looked poised to get the better of Rowe and redeem their loss over the weekend at Poundfest.

Instead, Alanis rallied the troops and led by example on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

“Every set is a new set,” Alanis said. “I tell my team: ‘Forget about the last set. It’s a new game. We’re starting all over. It’s 0-0. This is where we start strong. This is where we finish strong. We play our game. We don’t play down to their level. We play with energy — with momentum. We play together. That’s how we just forget about the games. That’s how we push through the sets.’”

The Warriors received contributions from sophomores Anna Hornrubia as well as middle blockers Victoria Galindo and Lauren Moubray to thwart Los Fresnos’ hitters.

Hornrubia posted 11 kills, 26 digs and three aces. Jewel Palomo had 31 assists and 15 digs, while Samantha Sifuentes added 22 assists and nine digs.

Los Fresnos’ Anahi Loo and Danielle Galan were key to slowing the momentum of Rowe’s Alanis and Hornrubia.

“I’m sure I speak for a lot of coaches right now: It’s early in the season, so we are trying to find the right combination of kids and the communication factor,” Rowe coach Magda Canales said. “They’re trying to learn to read each other or know who plays how deep or how short and all that. It has a lot to do with still building the chemistry on the team.”

[email protected]

MISSION — La Joya Juarez-Lincoln quarterback Efren Martinez isn’t the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed junior he was last year. He has a season’s worth of experience at the varsity starting position and had a front-row seat to the highs and lows of missing the playoffs by one game.

“Having a year under my belt as a quarterback, it means a lot,” Martinez said. “I come with a lot of experience, and we’re all excited as an offensive unit.”

The Huskies were not satisfied with how the 2017 season played out, and this year’s version of the team has a sour taste in its mouth.

Last year’s group came out of the gates hot, cruising through its first three non-district games against lesser programs and also winning three out of its first four district games.

The Huskies’ 17-7 win against McAllen High in Week 8 turned out to be their final win. A week later, they fell in a rivalry match against La Joya High — a result that proved to be fatal. Juarez-Lincoln closed the year in Week 10 with a 50-7 loss against McAllen Memorial. In Week 11, the Huskies had a bye while the rest of the district was in action deciding the final two playoff spots.

Juarez-Lincoln was the first team out.

“Last year, the tables turned on us,” Martinez said. “We had things go different ways, and that’s fine. That’s basically football. That’s the sport that we all play. I feel like this year, we’re going to take it step-by-step. We’re a young team, and we have to develop our guys.”

Martinez will have a few more options to throw to if the team wants to add more of a passing attack. In eight games, he threw for 764 yards (95.5 per game) with eight touchdowns to five interceptions.

Juarez-Lincoln boasts four offensive and four defensive returners. The rest will need to learn quickly in non-district play before they face their first district opponent, PSJA North — another team that is hoping to start strong and find its way back into the postseason.

With an extra game to sort out the playoff picture, the Huskies hope they won’t be in a situation like last year, when they played well and finished with a .500 district record but missed being in the final four via tiebreaker.

Leading the defense is one returner on the line, two in the secondary and one at linebacker.

Xavier Monreal is the team’s returning leader in tackles. He was named a first-team all-district defensive end and will be tasked with not only stopping the run head-on, but showing the ropes to varsity newcomers.

“It just seems like it doesn’t matter what team we have, it all matters the effort we put in and how hard we try,” Monreal said. “Last year was a good season, but that didn’t matter, because no playoffs, and our season ended right there. Yeah, we were doing good. But it doesn’t matter how you start. It’s how you finish, and we didn’t finish right.”

Manny Briseno is another key defensive returner, and Luis Garza at tight end is a top target on offense. Huskies coach Tommy Garcia said he’s happy his program can replenish talent year by year.

“I think we’re finally to the point where we graduate seniors, but we’re able to not have a big turnover,” Garcia said. “Where (in the past) we graduate seniors, and we would have to move up sophomores. We have four guys on offense and four on defense coming back, and lettermen we have 22. For other 6A schools, it might not be a lot. But for us, it is. Those experienced players have taken over the leadership on offense and defense, and the younger kids respond to that.”

ALBERT’S DECEPTIVE MOVES

Efren’s brother Albert Martinez was the engine that made the Huskies go last year, rushing for 1,010 yards on 154 carries. He rushed for eight scores to lead the rushing game that scored 17 of the team’s 25 touchdowns.

Garcia last year described Albert as a scatback — a fast and elusive runner who is typically thought of as more of a utility player than a standard running back.

“He’s a very special player to watch. Very humble,” Efren said of his brother and teammate. “He’ll surprise you on the field, though, because of his size, the way he runs the ball, the way he moves.”

Albert displayed that ability last year with big runs of the 50- and even 75-yard variety — something he was able to pull off as a receiver out of the backfield, as well.

The Martinez brothers also have another Martinez teammate, Joe Martinez, who isn’t related but hopes to join the trio of offensive threats.

[email protected]

KEYS TO THE SEASON

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln will need to start fast again to try to be among the last four standing in a district that lost a non-playoff team but added PSJA High (a playoff team) and PSJA North (a team accustomed to the postseason and looking to return) in realignment. Albert Martinez will be the X-factor again after running for more than 1,000 yards as a junior. The biggest question mark will be how incoming varsity players perform under the pressure of a district season. The Huskies can get into the playoffs if they beat other bubble teams. One loss could derail those plans.

2017 record: 6-4, 3-3

Returning starters O/D: 4/7

COACH’S TENURE

Coach: Tommy Garcia

Year at school: Seventh

Record at school: 23-29