NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — The campus of Mission High School is done with its makeover. The main entrance to the campus on Cleo Dawson has received a face-lift, a new academic wing has been added, and an aquatic center is ready for competition. Oh, and Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium is completed, shiny and ready for the community outing that is the Battle of Conway on Aug. 31.
Sebastian Gonzalez, a senior wide receiver, played through the hassle of spending his entire junior season on the road.

“It’s awesome now that we don’t have to travel that far anymore,” Gonzalez said. “We can just walk out our classroom, and we’re right here. It’s going to be really exciting, because it’s new, but a lot of people love this stadium. It’s a great place to play.”

The renovations to the stadium entrance, seating and press box began in February 2017, with hopes the stadium would be ready for last year’s fall season. Unfortunately for the school district, the Battle of Conway was moved east to Donna.

“We’re excited about the new stadium. They’ve done a fantastic job,” Mission coach and alum Koy Detmer said. “We’ve had new addition to the school and all that. It is an exciting time for Mission High.”

The uncertainty around the completion of construction at the stadium lingered all year. Complications surrounding elevator inspection pushed the due date. When the dust was cleared, the only football game played in the stadium was Mission Veterans’ first-round playoff matchup.

This year’s season opener between the rival schools will include a ribbon cutting to celebrate the stadium.

“That first game on Aug. 31 between the two high schools is always the biggest in terms of a turnout, so it’ll be fun to be able to do that,” Mission CISD spokesperson Craig Verley said. “Just the whole tie to Tom Landry and what he stood for and his legacy is really what makes the stadium special.”

Mission High improved by a game during Detmer’s second season but still ended 2017 on the outside looking into the playoffs. The Eagles suffered a devastating last-play loss against McAllen High in their District 30-6A finale.

“We have a lot of skill guys coming back, especially in the receiving core,” Detmer said. “We definitely want to utilize those guys and find ways to get them the ball within the system. Want to get them the ball in space and let them do their thing.”

Running the ball will be a collaborative effort between returning running backs Andrew Maldonado and Horacio Moronta. Both rushed for less than 200 yards last season. Maldonado had 195 yards on 41 carries, while Moronta had 152 yards on 27 attempts.

CLOSE CALLS

The Eagles of 2017 were plagued by one-score defeats. Half of their six losses came by one score, including two in district — against McAllen Rowe in overtime, and against McAllen High in their last game of the year as part of a win-and-get-in scenario. Their third came in the crosstown rivalry against Mission Veterans, a game they lost by four points after opening up a first-half lead.

Detmer acknowledged how close the team was to a better fate last year. He said he thinks the key to flipping the script to hold on or even come from behind in tight contests is defense, which he thinks will be a quicker, improved group.

“We’re excited about what our defensive possibilities are,” Detmer said. “We will be much faster defensively than what we were last year. We have a good group of those skills guys with linebacker, corner and DB play.”

Gonzalez could play on both sides of the ball, something he prepared for while working out and said he looks forward to.

“I might be able to go both ways this year so I can help out the defense, as well,” Gonzalez said. “It’s good to know both, because you know how both positions play.”

With former all-state linebacker Steven De Leon graduated, junior Aleksander Gomez will be called on to guide the defense as the top returning tackler.

QUARTERBACK BATTLE

Mission has a quarterback battle brewing. Detmer, who played quarterback for Mission all the way up to the NFL level, is licking his chops. Last year’s quarterback, Damian Gomez, returns for his junior season, but the position now comes with competition.

McHi transfer J.R. Cortez enters the fray hoping to provide options on offense after playing the 2017 non-district season with the Bulldogs.

Incoming freshman Jeremy Duran might have the highest ceiling of the Eagles quarterbacks. He had an exciting youth football career that has put him on television on “Friday Night Tykes.” He has also played for the USA national team on the turf in Arlington at AT&T Stadium.

“In the past, we’ve had only a limited number of guys at the position, so for us we’re excited we have a lot depth at the position now,” Detmer said. “We’ll get into two-a-days and scrimmage play. Everything will work itself out. We have Damian coming back with experience. J.R. comes from McHi with varsity experience. And Jeremy is coming up — a good, young talent. We’re excited. We can play the same kind of football, even with injuries and things like that. That’s something that’s challenged us for a couple of years now.”

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KEYS TO THE SEASON

Mission High will need more output on offense and a stronger defense to return to the postseason. The bad news is the Eagles lose an all-star type talent in Steven De Leon. The good news is they are deeper than previous in years on offense, and the defense is quicker and up for the challenge of a new-look District 30-6A.

2017 record: 4-6, 2-4

Returning starters O/D: 5-5

COACH’S TENURE

Coach: Koy Detmer

Year at school: Third

Record at school: 9-12

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

LA JOYA — The drought is over. Thanks to a strong push late last season, the La Joya Coyotes were back in the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and only the second time since the La Joya ISD split in 2007.

The Coyotes gave up 20 or more points on only four occasions last year and were owners of a 6-5 record (3-3 in District 30-6A).

Middle linebacker Trey Perez knows his team’s defense was key to unlocking the postseason door, and he said he is proud to be a part of the tackling core that will try to replicate and improve on that result.

“Defense has always been good for La Joya. We’re just keeping the tradition going,” Perez said. “It’s been an honor to be playing defense, especially as a captain.”

Last season, he accounted for 39 tackles. His lone interception came in a crucial win over La Joya ISD rival La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.

“It wasn’t really much of confidence (we built), it was more team chemistry. We got really close,” Perez said. “Over the time, we got mad. Well, not mad, but really determined to keep winning. During the practices, we would go as hard as we can. Anything possible to make each other individually better. And at the end of the day, we made the playoffs.”

Third-year La Joya head coach Reuben Farias said that his defense learned to play hard within its scheme. He knows they should remain competitive if they play with the same intensity.

“We played hard and relentless, and we’re trying to make them aggressive,” Farias said. “I tell them, ‘Win or lose, if you give me everything on the field, then we got beat by a better ballclub, with better athletes. When you don’t give me effort and you don’t play hard, then you start questioning yourself.’”

Farias said the culture of La Joya could be turning a corner after a few subpar seasons gave way to last year’s playoff berth.

“It’s always good to have a good returning nucleus, because they know the expectations, plus they know what it takes to get to where we were at and the success that we had,” Farias said. “It makes it a lot easier for the younger guys to look up to them. These guys (the returners) can address certain issues if things aren’t happening, instead of the coaches always harping on them.”

ON THE LEGS OF EDDIE V

Last season, one of the most surprising names near the top of RGV rushing lists was Coyotes sophomore Eddie Villarreal. In 10 games, the powerful back kept his lower body moving to the tune of 1,360 yards on 261 carries.

He said that he didn’t completely expect the level of success he had as a sophomore but knew that being the focal point of the offense would take work.

“I was working my ass off every time. Every day, I was working hard,” Villarreal said about how he adjusted to the workload. “I had to get used to the contact, and I did. I worked out a lot in the summer, because I knew I was going to be a big part of the offense.”
He carried the ball 35 times or more in a game twice in 2017, including a 38-carry, 219-yard performance in La Joya’s upset win over McAllen Rowe.

“We have a new system that is going to be more option-oriented. It’s going to create more opportunities for other boys,” Farias said. “So other teams are not going to just be able to say, ‘We’re going to stop Eddie.’”

The quarterback tabbed to lead from under center will be J.R. Rodriguez, who played as a receiver on last year’s squad and was the program’s junior varsity quarterback the year before that.

Villarreal’s impact spreads to the defense. Perez said facing him in practice explains why the Coyotes had the district’s best defense a year ago.

“I knew we’d be good at it, because we have the best running back right now in the Valley,” Perez said. “And we go zone, which is 5 yards deep to the end zone. They try to score, and we try to stop them.”

THE PALMVIEW GAME

UIL district realignment in February shook up 30-6A and the La Joya ISD rivalries that had existed as district battles the past few years. With La Joya Palmview honoring the enrollment cutoff rather than appealing to stay in the 6A classification with its sister schools, the threat of losing the matchup was a real concern during scheduling.

Farias and Palmview coach Margarito Requenez managed to keep a Week 1 non-district tilt.

“The community, they want to see two teams that used to be together,” Villarreal said. “We’re fighting to see whose original and stuff like that.”

“Playing our sister schools, one, there’s a rivalry, but I always told our boys it’s not, ‘We need to beat Palmview. We need to beat Juarez.’ We need to beat everybody in the district. We take each game the same,” Farias said. “But, it’s good, because it allows the community — I know it’s one of the bigger games gate wise. A lot of the community comes out to support.”

La Joya High also faces Roma and Sharyland High before starting district play.

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KEYS TO THE SEASON

La Joya High’s season will depend on its ability to play a smashmouth, stingy defense yet again. The front seven will need to replace the strength of Danny Villarreal. On offense, if Eddie Villarreal can stay consistent, the Coyotes can win games in similar ways to 2017: low-scoring, possession football. A more balanced offense would go a long way.

2017 record: 6-5

Returning starters O/D: 5/6, 3-3

COACH’S TENURE

Coach: Reuben Farias

Year at school: Third

Record at school: 9-12

Valley HS Volleyball Schedule 2018

Friday’s Games

McHi Poundfest

Pool 1

McAllen High def. PSJA High 25-18, 25-17

Edinburg Vela def. Sharyland High 26-24, 25-8

McAllen High def. Edinburg Vela 25-13, 25-13

PSJA High def. Sharyland High 25-22, 25-22

Edinburg Vela def. PSJA High 25-18, 25-19

McAllen High def. Sharyland High 25-10, 25-17

Pool 2

Brownsville Porter def. Weslaco High 26-24, 25-14

Edinburg Economedes def. PSJA North 25-16, 25-17

Weslaco High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-19, 25-16

Brownsville Porter def. PSJA North 25-18, 25-18

Brownsville Porter def. Edinburg Economedes 25-18, 25-12

PSJA North def. Weslaco High 26-24, 25-17

Pool 3

McAllen Rowe def. Edinburg North 25-18, 25-21

Brownsville Rivera def. La Feria 25-17, 25-13

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Rivera 25-17, 25-13

Edinburg North def. La Feria 25-11, 25-20

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Rivera 25-22, 26-24

McAllen Rowe def. La Feria 25-15, 25-4

Pool 4

McAllen Memorial def. McAllen High 25-13, 25-14

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 22-25, 25-18, 15-12

McAllen Memorial def. Los Fresnos 25-12, 25-19

McAllen High JV def. Brownsville Hanna 25-19, 17-25, 15-10

Los Fresnos def. McAllen High JV 30-28, 25-11

McAllen Memorial def. Brownsville Hanna 25-23, 25-17

Pool 5

PSJA Memorial def. McAllen Memorial JV 25-20, 25-23, 15-13

Weslaco East def. Port Isabel 25-15, 25-17

Weslaco East def. PSJA Memorial 25-20, 25-22, 15-8

McAllen Memorial JV def. Port Isabel 25-17, 25-18

Weslaco East def. McAllen Memorial JV 25-23, 21-25, 15-12

PSJA Memorial def. Port Isabel 22-25, 25-16, 15-9

Pool 6

Brownsville Veterans def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-10, 25-15

Brownsville Pace def. Harlingen High 17-25, 25-16, 15-11

Brownsville Veterans def. Brownsville Pace 25-17, 25-18

Harlingen High def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-19, 25-22

Brownsville Pace def. Laredo Cigarroa 22-25, 25-19, 16-14

Brownsville Veterans def. Harlingen High 25-22, 25-20

Donna ISD Tournament

Pool A (at Donna North)

Donna North def. San Benito 25-12, 25-11

San Perlita def. La Joya High 25-22, 16-25, 15-12

La Joya High def. San Benito 25-10, 25-21

San Benito def. San Perlita 25-6, 25-13

Donna North def. San Perlita 25-17, 25-22

San Benito def. La Joya High 25-9, 25-16

Pool B (at Donna North)

Harlingen South def. Valley View 25-8, 25-18

Rio Grande City def. Lyford 25-14, 25-22

Harlingen South def. Rio Grande City 25-11, 25-12

Valley View def. Lyford 25-11. 20-25, 19-17

Harlingen South def. Lyford 25-10, 25-17

Valley View def. Rio Grande City 19-25, 26-18, 15-10

Pool C (at Donna North)

Laredo Martin wins pool C

Brownsville St. Joseph advances

Pool D (at Donna High)

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-3, 25-7

Roma def. Raymondville 25-21, 25-18

Edcouch-Elsa def. Roma 25-14, 25-8

Raymondville def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 15-25, 25-20, 15-17

Edcouch-Elsa def. Raymondville 25-11, 25-4

Roma def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-18, 23-25, 16-14

Pool E (at Donna High)

Edinburg High def. Rio Hondo 25-6, 25-14

Mercedes def. La Joya Palmview 25-23, 25-21

Mercedes def. Edinburg High 25-14, 25-17

La Joya Palmview def. Rio Hondo 25-11, 23-25, 15-7

La Joya Palmview def. Edinburg High 18-25, 25-18, 15-7

Mercedes def. Rio Hondo 25-18, 25-22

Pool F (at Donna High)

Donna High def. Grulla 25-16, 25-10

Mission High def. San Diego 25-16, 25-13

Donna High def. Mission High 25-21, 25-12

Grulla def. San Diego 25-22, 17-25, 15-13

Donna High def. San Diego 25-15, 25-7

Mission High def. Grulla 25-16, 25-27, 15-11

Adidas John Turner Classic (Pearland)

San Antonio O’Connor def. Mission Veterans 25-19, 25-13

Mission Veterans def. Friendswood 25-20, 25-14

Lake Highlands def. Mission Veterans 25-21, 20-25, 25-18

Corpus Christi Tournament

George West def. Sharyland Pioneer

Sharyland Pioneer def. West Oso 25-27, 25-18, 25-18

Corpus Christi King def. Sharyland Pioneer 22-25, 25-28, 25-21

Corpus Christi London def. Rockport-Fulton 25-18, 25-21

Saturday’s Games

McHi Poundfest

Gold Bracket (at McAllen High)

Quarterfinal: McAllen High def. PSJA High 25-7, 25-20

Quarterfinal: Los Fresnos def. Edinburg Vela 20-25, 25-19, 15-9

Quarterfinal: McAllen Memorial def. Edinburg North, 25-9, 25-5

Quarterfinal: McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Rivera 22-25, 25-16, 16-14

Consolation semifinal: Edinburg Vela def. PSJA High 22-25, 25-23, 15-13

Consolation semifinal: Edinburg North def. Brownsville Rivera 25-23, 21-25, 16-14

Consolation final: Edinburg Vela def. Edinburg North 25-20, 25-17

Semifinal: McAllen High def. Los Fresnos 25-20, 23-25, 15-12

Semifinal: McAllen Memorial def. McAllen Rowe 25-19, 25-12

Third-place match: McAllen Rowe def. Los Fresnos 25-18, 25-20

Championship match: McAllen Memorial def. McAllen High 25-20, 23-25, 15-12

Silver Bracket (at McAllen Memorial)

Quarterfinal: McAllen High JV def. Brownsville Pace 25-18, 20-25, 15-13

Quarterfinal: Sharyland High def. Weslaco East 25-19, 23-25, 15-10

Quarterfinal: Brownsville Hanna def. Brownsville Veterans 18-25, 25-19, 15-6

Quarterfinal: Brownsville Porter def. La Feria 25-23, 25-21

Consolation semifinal: Weslaco East 14-25, 25-15, 15-10

Consolation semifinal: Brownsville Veterans def. La Feria 25-9, 25-15

Consolation final: Brownsville Veterans def. Weslaco East 25-18, 25-21

Semifinal: Sharyland High def. McAllen High JV 18-25, 28-26, 15-10

Semifinal: Brownsville Hanna def. Brownsville Porter 25-19, 25-20

Third-place match: McAllen High JV def. Brownsville Porter 27-25, 21-25, 16-14

Championship match: Sharyland High def. Brownsville Hanna 25-11, 25-17

Bronze Bracket (at McAllen Rowe)

Quarterfinal: PSJA Memorial def. Port Isabel 25-17, 25-16

Quarterfinal: PSJA North def. Harlingen High 25-21, 25-23

Quarterfinal: Edinburg Economedes def. McAllen Memorial JV 24-26, 25-19, 15-9

Quarterfinal: Weslaco High def. Laredo Cigarroa

Consolation semifinal: Harlingen High def. Port Isabel 27-25, 25-18

Consolation semifinal: McAllen Memorial JV def. Edinburg Economedes 26-24, 19-25, 15-9

Consolation final: Harlingen High def. McAllen Memorial JV 25-14, 22-25, 15-8

Semifinal: PSJA North def. PSJA Memorial 25-21, 20-25, 15-9

Semifinal: Weslaco High def. Edinburg Economedes 28-26, 25-17

Third-place match: PSJA Memorial def. Edinburg Economedes 25-15, 25-18

Championship match: PSJA North def. Weslaco High 25-21, 25-23

Donna ISD Tournmanet

Gold Bracket (at Donna North)

Quarterfinal: Edcouch-Elsa def Brownsville St. Joseph 25-8, 25-16

Quarterfinal: Laredo Martin def. Harlingen South 25-22, 25-13

Quaterfinal: Donna High def. Mercedes 25-16, 25-22

Quarterfinal: San Benito def. Mission High 25-20, 25-22

Semifinal: Edcouch-Elsa def. Laredo Martin 26-24, 25-14

Semifinal: San Benito def. Donna High 25-21, 25-20

Championship: San Benito def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-22, 25-19

Tournament MVP: Alysa Navarjo, San Benito

All-Tournament team: Melanie Duon, Laredo Martin; Mikela Mireles, Harlingen South; Ileane Gallego, Donna High; Veronica Elizondo, Edcouch-Elsa; Paloma Ybarra, Edcouch-Elsa; Ariel Garcia, San Benito

Silver Bracket (at Donna North, practice)

Quarterfinal: Donna North def. Valley View 25-22, 25-23

Quarterfinal: Roma def. La Joya High 25-22, 14-25, 15-13

Quarterfinal: Edinburg High def. Brownsville Lopez 25-19, 25-19

Quarterfinal: La Joya Palmview def. Rio Grande City 26-19, 21-25, 16-14

Semifinal: Roma def. Donna North 25-21, 25-22

Semifinal: Edinburg High def. La Joya Palmview 25-17, 25-10

Championship: Edinburg High def. Roma

Bronze Bracket (at Donna High)

Quarterfinal: Raymondville def. Rio Hondo

Quarterfinal: San Diego def. Grulla

Quarterfinal: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. Monte Alto

Quarterfinal: San Perlita def. Lyford

Semifinal: San Diego def. Raymondville

Semifinal: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. San Perlita

Championship: San Diego def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

Adidas John Turner Classic (Pearland)

Mission Veterans def. George Ranch 25-22, 25-23

Mission Veterans def. George Ranch 25-13, 25-14

Mission Veterans wins Silver bracket.

Corpus Christi Tournament

Corpus Christi London def. Sharyland Pioneer

San Antonio TAFT def. Sharyland Pioneer 25-20, 25-2

Tuesday, Aug. 14
Non-district matches
St. Joseph Academy at San Isidro, 6 p.m.
Rivera at McAllen High, 6:30 p.m.
La Joya Palmview at Porter, 6:30 p.m.
Pace at Hanna, 6:30 p.m.
Los Fresnos at McAllen Rowe, 6:30 p.m.
Brownsville Veterans at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m.

Aug. 16-18
Port Isabel Tournament
Port Isabel, Hanna, Lopez, Los Fresnos, St. Joseph Academy

Aug. 17-18
Mission Tournament
Pace, Rivera, Brownsville Veterans

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — The Poundfest Tournament ended in an exciting all-McAllen duel that should be a precursor to the rest of the RGV volleyball season. And no, this is not a recording from previous years.

This time around, McAllen Memorial edged McAllen High after the gold bracket finale went the distance. After plenty of tense moments in the final two games, Jocelynn Everage put home championship point for the Mustangs’ 25-20, 23-25, 15-12 victory on Saturday.

Last year’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year Sydney Marburger said that staying calm when the action was heated or the gym was going crazy with cheers was essential.

“We knew we have to stay focused and stay composed in those really important moments. Being confident is a big thing,” Marburger, a junior, said. “Just confidence to put the game away.”

The game was put away by the aforementioned Everage with help from the Mustangs’ setting. That’s where Marburger shined as a sophomore. Now, she splits those duties with fellow junior Mia Perez.

Marburger finished with 19 assists, and Perez added 11.

“What makes it possible is the passes. We have great defensive players who are able to give us great servicing passes and digs. That is why we’re able to set it in the right spot consistently,” Marburger said. “It does help that Mia’s setting with me, because we’re able to have those three hitters in the front every time. A lot more options of people able to put the ball away.”

Perez echoed those sentiments and explained in detail why the current configuration gives the Mustangs freedom.

“Running a 6-2 is super helpful, because me and Sydney aren’t the tallest players, so when we’re in the front row, our right-side block is against their best outside hitter,” Perez said. “When we have three tall capable hitters, we have three options. We can go outside, middle or right side all the same hitting capability. We have so many more options to score.”

Everage and Valeria Trevino were strong at what they do best. They recorded identical totals with 12 kills and 10 digs. The only difference in their championship stat line was blocks — Trevino had three to Everage’s one. They were named co-tournament MVPs.

The match was no cakewalk. Lexi Gonzalez and Damaris Llanes were the Bulldogs’ top offensive contributors. Gonzalez hit home 14 kills and two aces, while Llanes added nine kills and seven digs.

The championship was the 12th match for the finalists of the three-day, 24-team tournament.

“It’s tough, but our training has really helped,” Marburger said. “In this third set, we knew winning is what we’re here for, so we knew we had to pull through. No matter how tired we were.”

Memorial coach Lorena Lopez said her team easily gets up for these matches.

“The great thing about playing these McAllen vs. McAllen games is that it’s a playoff feeling. There’s a lot on the line,” Lopez said. “It’s a great thing to get our teams before we hit district.”

Memorial swept McAllen Rowe in the semifinals to advance to face the hosts, who had knocked off Los Fresnos in the other semifinal.

“We look forward to any time the McAllen schools play each other,” McHi coach Paula Dodge said. “It’s always a lot of fun, and anything can happen, and you have to play top ball. A lot of it is the girls themselves. They’re just ready to play each other.”

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Valley HS Volleyball Schedule 2018

Friday’s Games

McHi Poundfest

Pool 1

McAllen High def. PSJA High 25-18, 25-17

Edinburg Vela def. Sharyland High 26-24, 25-8

McAllen High def. Edinburg Vela 25-13, 25-13

PSJA High def. Sharyland High 25-22, 25-22

Edinburg Vela def. PSJA High 25-18, 25-19

McAllen High def. Sharyland High 25-10, 25-17

Pool 2

Brownsville Porter def. Weslaco High 26-24, 25-14

Edinburg Economedes def. PSJA North 25-16, 25-17

Weslaco High def. Edinburg Economedes 25-19, 25-16

Brownsville Porter def. PSJA North 25-18, 25-18

Brownsville Porter def. Edinburg Economedes 25-18, 25-12

PSJA North def. Weslaco High 26-24, 25-17

Pool 3

McAllen Rowe def. Edinburg North 25-18, 25-21

Brownsville Rivera def. La Feria 25-17, 25-13

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Rivera 25-17, 25-13

Edinburg North def. La Feria 25-11, 25-20

Edinburg North def. Brownsville Rivera 25-22, 26-24

McAllen Rowe def. La Feria 25-15, 25-4

Pool 4

McAllen Memorial def. McAllen High 25-13, 25-14

Los Fresnos def. Brownsville Hanna 22-25, 25-18, 15-12

McAllen Memorial def. Los Fresnos 25-12, 25-19

McAllen High JV def. Brownsville Hanna 25-19, 17-25, 15-10

Los Fresnos def. McAllen High JV 30-28, 25-11

McAllen Memorial def. Brownsville Hanna 25-23, 25-17

Pool 5

PSJA Memorial def. McAllen Memorial JV 25-20, 25-23, 15-13

Weslaco East def. Port Isabel 25-15, 25-17

Weslaco East def. PSJA Memorial 25-20, 25-22, 15-8

McAllen Memorial JV def. Port Isabel 25-17, 25-18

Weslaco East def. McAllen Memorial JV 25-23, 21-25, 15-12

PSJA Memorial def. Port Isabel 22-25, 25-16, 15-9

Pool 6

Brownsville Veterans def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-10, 25-15

Brownsville Pace def. Harlingen High 17-25, 25-16, 15-11

Brownsville Veterans def. Brownsville Pace 25-17, 25-18

Harlingen High def. Laredo Cigarroa 25-19, 25-22

Brownsville Pace def. Laredo Cigarroa 22-25, 25-19, 16-14

Brownsville Veterans def. Harlingen High 25-22, 25-20

Donna ISD Tournament

Pool A (at Donna North)

Donna North def. San Benito 25-12, 25-11

San Perlita def. La Joya High 25-22, 16-25, 15-12

La Joya High def. San Benito 25-10, 25-21

San Benito def. San Perlita 25-6, 25-13

Donna North def. San Perlita 25-17, 25-22

San Benito def. La Joya High 25-9, 25-16

Pool B (at Donna North)

Harlingen South def. Valley View 25-8, 25-18

Rio Grande City def. Lyford 25-14, 25-22

Harlingen South def. Rio Grande City 25-11, 25-12

Valley View def. Lyford 25-11. 20-25, 19-17

Harlingen South def. Lyford 25-10, 25-17

Valley View def. Rio Grande City 19-25, 26-18, 15-10

Pool C (at Donna North)

Laredo Martin wins pool C

Brownsville St. Joseph advances

Pool D (at Donna High)

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-3, 25-7

Roma def. Raymondville 25-21, 25-18

Edcouch-Elsa def. Roma 25-14, 25-8

Raymondville def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 15-25, 25-20, 15-17

Edcouch-Elsa def. Raymondville 25-11, 25-4

Roma def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 25-18, 23-25, 16-14

Pool E (at Donna High)

Edinburg High def. Rio Hondo 25-6, 25-14

Mercedes def. La Joya Palmview 25-23, 25-21

Mercedes def. Edinburg High 25-14, 25-17

La Joya Palmview def. Rio Hondo 25-11, 23-25, 15-7

La Joya Palmview def. Edinburg High 18-25, 25-18, 15-7

Mercedes def. Rio Hondo 25-18, 25-22

Pool F (at Donna High)

Donna High def. Grulla 25-16, 25-10

Mission High def. San Diego 25-16, 25-13

Donna High def. Mission High 25-21, 25-12

Grulla def. San Diego 25-22, 17-25, 15-13

Donna High def. San Diego 25-15, 25-7

Mission High def. Grulla 25-16, 25-27, 15-11

Adidas John Turner Classic (Pearland)

San Antonio O’Connor def. Mission Veterans 25-19, 25-13

Mission Veterans def. Friendswood 25-20, 25-14

Lake Highlands def. Mission Veterans 25-21, 20-25, 25-18

Saturday’s Games

McHi Poundfest

Gold Bracket (at McAllen High)

McAllen High vs. PSJA High, 9 a.m., court 1

Los Fresnos vs. Edinburg Vela, 9 a.m., court 2

McAllen Memorial vs. Edinburg North, 10 a.m., court 1

Brownsville Rivera vs. McAllen Rowe, 10 a.m., court 2

McAllen High/PSJA High vs. Edinburg Vela/Los Fresnos, 11 a.m.

McAllen Memorial/Edinburg North vs. Brownsville Rivera/McAllen Rowe, noon

Third-place match, 1 p.m.

Championship match, 2 p.m.

Silver Bracket (at McAllen Memorial)

McAllen High JV vs. Brownsville Pace, 9 a.m., court 1

Weslaco East vs. Sharyland High, 9 a.m., court 2

Brownsville Hanna vs. Brownsville Veterans, 10 a.m., court 1

Brownsville Porter vs. La Feria, 10 a.m., court 2

McAllen High JV/Brownsville Pace vs. Weslaco East/Sharyland High, 11 a.m.

Brownsville Hanna/Brownsville Veterans vs. Brownsville Porter/La Feria, noon

Third-place match, 1 p.m.

Championship match, 2 p.m.

Bronze Bracket (at McAllen Rowe)

PSJA Memorial vs. Port Isabel, 9 a.m., court 1

PSJA North vs. Harlingen High, 9 a.m., court 2

Edinburg Economedes vs. McAllen Memorial JV, 10 a.m., court 1

Laredo Cigarroa vs. Weslaco High, 10 a.m., court 2

PSJA Memorial/Port Isabel vs. PSJA North/Harlingen High, 11 a.m.

Edinburg Economedes/McAllen Memorial vs. Laredo Cigarroa/Weslaco High, noon

Third-place match, 1 p.m.

Championship match, 2 p.m.

Donna ISD Tournmanet

Gold Bracket (at Donna North)

Game 1: Edcouch-Elsa vs. Brownsville St. Joseph, 9 a.m.

Game 2: Harlingen South vs. Laredo Martin, 10 a.m.

Game 3: Donna High vs. Mercedes, 11:00 a.m.

Game 4: San Benito vs. Mission High, noon

Game 5: Winner game 1 vs. winner game 2

Game 6: Winner game 3 vs. winner game 4

Game 7: Winner game 5 vs. winner game 6

Silver Bracket (at Donna North, practice)

Game 1: Valley View vs. Donna North, 9 a.m.

Game 2: Roma vs. La Joya High, 10 a.m.

Game 3: Edinburg High vs. Brownsville Lopez, 11:00 a.m.

Game 4: La Joya Palmview vs. Rio Grande City, noon

Game 5: Winner game 1 vs. winner game 2

Game 6: Winner game 3 vs. winner game 4

Game 7: Winner game 5 vs. winner game 6

Bronze Bracket (at Donna High)

Game 1: Raymondville vs. Rio Hondo, 9 a.m.

Game 2: Grulla vs. San Benito, 10 a.m.

Game 3: Monte Alto vs. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 11:00 a.m.

Game 4: San Perlita vs. Lyford, noon

Game 5: Winner game 1 vs. winner game 2

Game 6: Winner game 3 vs. game 4

Game 7: Winner game 5 vs. game 6

Adidas John Turner Classic (Pearland)

Mission Veterans vs. George West/Decatur

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Non-District

Laredo United at McAllen Memorial, 1 p.m

Roma at Laredo LBJ, 1 p.m.

Mission Veterans at Laredo Alexander, 2 p.m.

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at Donna North, 5:30 p.m.

Edinburg Economedes at PSJA North, 6:30 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at San Benito, 6:30 p.m.

La Joya High at Laredo Nixon, 6:30 p.m.

Sharyland High at Harlingen South, 6:30 p.m.

Brownsville Rivera at McAllen High, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Veterans at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m.

Valley View at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m.

Laredo LBJ at McAllen Memorial, 7 p.m.

Los Fresnos at McAllen Rowe, 7:30 p.m.

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — The annual early season battle of RGVSports preseason No. 1 McAllen Memorial and No. 2 Mission Veterans lived up to the hype, but preseason rankings were thrown out the window.

The Patriots played like a team in midseason form to knock off the Mustangs 3-1 via set scores of 25-21, 25-21, 13-25, 25-16.

Mission Veterans senior Jackie Howell, who recorded 515 kills and 77 aces on her way to the All-Valley first team last season, said that her group felt it had something to prove in its first match.

“We saw the preseason rankings and were disappointed to be ranked second, so we knew this was going to be a good game to play. Obviously, they’re a great team,” Howell said. “We’re going to Houston tomorrow against really good competition, so it’s a good game to get the season going.”

The Patriots and Mustangs were often deadlocked in a tight first set during which both teams hammered home points with familiar players making an impact.

Vets winning the first two sets by the same 25-21 total went a long way in a match that took two hours, including a delay. The second set had the same final score but carried a different feel as the visiting Patriots controlled and led most of the way.

The action was so hot that the match was delayed for 31 minutes during the fourth set. That period was enough time for firefighters to investigate a smoky odor and then deem the gym safe for fans and players to return. Firefighters determined that heaters turned on to prevent humidity, but the system was also getting its early season kinks out.

The delay came after Memorial won its first set of the match 25-13, a performance that showed glimpses that the 2017 regional semifinalists still had their mojo.

But after the three fire trucks, the half-hour delay and most of the crowd had cleared out, the Mustangs were unable to keep that energy in the fourth set.

“When we had that break and when we came back, you could tell that we were on dead legs, and a lot of that has to do that they were training hard already the last couple of days,” Memorial coach Lorena Lopez said. “But no excuse, because Veterans was in the same boat.”

Lopez’s counterpart on the Vets sidelines also noticed the fatigue from each side going into the unexpected midgame break.

“I saw both teams. They were huffing and puffing,” Mission Veterans coach Diana Lerma said. “It takes a while before we get in our true fit shape.”

While McAllen Memorial was not easy to block, Veterans’ attack was even harder for the Mustangs to contain.

Behind 25 kills from Howell and 17 from Makenzie Gerlach, plus another 12 from middle hitter Kassy Lerma, Vets held off Memorial in the fourth set and match.

“That’s what I tell them. We cannot just depend on our outside. We have to focus on the middle,” Diana Lerma said about the impact of Kassy. “By the time the playoffs come, our middle will be just as strong as the outside.”

Memorial’s Jocelynn Everage had 13 kills. Valeria Trevino added eight kills and three aces. Sydney Marburger was Memorial’s assist leader with 21.

“Some of the main things I saw is our young ones, they got to learn game speed and be stronger at the block,” Lopez said. “My veterans are playing very well, but we need to get in better condition.”

Memorial will compete in the Poundfest Tournament this weekend. Six pools will compete across the three McAllen ISD high school main and auxiliary gyms.

Veterans will travel to Pearland to compete in the Texas Volleyball Invitational.

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Tuesday’s Games

Non-district

Brownsville Pace def. PSJA Southwest 25-18, 25-11, 19-25, 14-25, 9-16

Weslaco East def. Roma 25-15, 25-16, 25-15

Mission Veterans def McAllen Memorial 25-21, 25-21, 13-25, 25-16

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln def. Lyford 25-21, 27-25, 25-11

Los Fresnos def. Sharyland High 15-25, 17-25, 19-25

La Joya High def. Port Isabel, 25-22, 26-24, 25-19

McAllen High def. Laredo Alexander 25-16, 25-16, 25-16

Rowe def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-16, 26-16, 25-22

Laredo United def. McAllen Rowe 25-19, 25-19, 25-20

Laredo United def. Edcouch-Elsa 3-0

PSJA North def. Donna North 25-16, 25-17, 25-16

Donna High def. Edinburg Vela 25-21, 17-25, 25-18, 25-22

Sharyland Pioneer def. Harlingen High 25-16, 25-12

Laredo United South def. Harlingen High 25-12, 25-22

Sharyland Pioneer def. Laredo United South 25-22, 25-19

La Joya Palmview def. Valley View 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 22-25, 10-15

Brownsville Rivera at Edinburg Economeds, 7:30 p.m.

VALLEY HS VOLLEYBALL BOX SCORES

Tuesday’s Games

Non-District

McALLEN HIGH DEF. LAREDO ALEXANDER

25-16, 25-16, 25-16

McALLEN HIGH: Lexi Gonzalez 15 kills, 15 digs, 1 aces; Damaris Llanas 12 kills, 4 digs; Madison Helmcamp, 20 assists, 7 digs, 2 aces; Audrey Zamora, 9; Madie Garza, 9 assists, 2 digs, 2 aces

RECORDS: McAllen High 1-0; Laredo Alexander 0-1

Non-District

PSJA NORTH DEF. DONNA NORTH

25-16, 25-17, 26-16

PSJA NORTH: Mikaela Guerro 9 kills; Clarissa Alvarez 6 kills, 6 digs, 4 aces; Angel Lozano 17 assists; Lesley Rodriguez 8 assists; Sophia Arista 9 digs

RECORDS: PSJA NORTH 1-0; Donna North 0-1

MISSION VETS DEF. McALLEN MEMORIAL

25-21, 25-21; 13-25; 25-16

MISSION VETERANS: Jackie Howell 25 kills, 2 aces, 24 digs, 1 block; Makenzie Gerlach 17 kills, 2 aces, 27 digs, 1 block; Valerie de la Fuente 40 assists; Bela Dominguez 15; Kassy Lerma 12 kills, 17 digs, 3 blocks

McALLEN MEMORIAL: Macy Henderson 13 digs; Valeria Trevino 8 kills, 3 aces; Jocelynn Everage 13 kills; Demy Banks 7 kills

RECORDS: MISSION VETERANS 1-0; McALLEN MEMORIAL 0-1

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

The Mission High Eagles started their first day of practice under the glare of the sun at 5 p.m. Monday on the turf of the now-renovated Tom Landry Stadium. They could have been practicing on a dirt field and third-year coach Koy Detmer would have been excited to see his 2018 group in training for the first time.

“There’s always that excitement when football comes around,” Detmer said. “Fresh start. Fresh season. Everyone’s 0-0.”

Without spring ball this year, the coaching staff didn’t have hands-on practice with the new group. Detmer said the coaches were still able to provide guidance and summer workouts to make sure the players were on track with their training and in shape for Day One.

“You put a lot of trust and faith in it, but we’re also around in the summer to see who’s coming in and who’s not, things like that,” Detmer said. “You kind of know which guys have been around.”

The Maroon-clad Eagles figure to be a fast team again. Sebastian Gonzalez leads a speedy receiving core, and Detmer says his defense should have more footspeed in comparison to last year’s bunch.

The Eagles are also pleased to have the rare luxury of depth at the quarterback position. Last year’s starter, Damian Gomez, returns, but he could be pushed by incoming freshman Jeremy Duran as well as McAllen High transfer J.R. Cortez.

“It’s really competitive, honestly,” Gonzalez said. “Everyone’s fighting for their spots. That’s what football’s about. You have to make the best out there to get your spot. That’s how you get better, fighting for what you want to play.”

Gonzalez, who doubles as a track star in the spring, says he’s excited to make speed a big part of Mission’s 2018 campaign.

“It’s definitely going to be a factor, because it’s going to help make huge plays,” Gonzalez said. “Whether you’re a receiver or DB.”

[email protected]

NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER

Center Mario Trevino has heard it all in two full seasons on Weslaco East’s varsity team. Last year, he won offensive lineman of the year in District 32-6A. Still, he knows what the critics say.

“Weslaco East doesn’t return anyone.” “They don’t have anyone coming back.”

While familiar faces like Richard LeFevre, Roy Pedraza and J.C. Vargas are out of high school, the Wildcats still have playmakers.

On defense, pillars Freddy Cardenas and Jacob Banda return for their senior years. And much of the offensive line remains intact.

“Honestly, I kind of like being the underdog,” Trevino said. “Ever since I’ve been here my freshman year, they’ve always been, ‘Ah, they don’t have nobody coming back’ So, it’s just great to know people are counting us out.”

He said the offensive line will be solid once again.

“We’re all just trying to come together as a unit and just finding a way to work things out,” Trevino said.

With LeFevre moving on to a college career at the University of the Incarnate Word, a new shot caller will be under center for coach Mike Burget’s squad, which opened practice Monday. Trevino, who will snap the ball to projected starter Antonio Cedeño, said he likes what he’s seen from the 6-foot native of Monterrey, Mexico.

“I like how he’s picking things up, the calls and everything,” Trevino said. “LeFerve is someone to barrel over guys, but Antonio, he won’t back down, either. As an O-linemen, it’s great to have faith in your receivers as we have here with the whole core. When we’re running, it’s good to know we can have a play action in there.”

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BY NATHANIEL MATA | THE MONITOR

Goodbye to the dogs days of summer, when coaches like Mercedes’ Roger Adame could only hope his athletes were working out to be in football shape on the first day.

The boys of the gridiron are back, and the coaching staffs can tell who prepared and who needs an extra lap for conditioning. The Tigers got started early, just after 6:30 a.m. for their first portion of two-a-days.

“This is the time we can focus on little things,” Adame said. “We don’t have an opponent this week we have to game plan for. Work on the little things – pointers to give these kids. Our main goal was to make sure we had 100 percent attendance, especially at the varsity level.”

Mercedes will replace key players at middle linebacker and brothers Matthew and Marc Ledesma on the offensive side of the ball.

Incoming senior Israel Algeria is ready to step into the role of starting quarterback for the Tigers. He’s projected to be under center when Mercedes kicks off 2018 with a Saturday date against Edinburg North.

As Marc Ledesma’s understudy last season, Algeria only attempted five passes (two completions), but he did amass 221 rushing yards on 12 carries. Ledesma threw for 1,910 yards, including the postseason.

Algeria feels a trip to the state 7-on-7 tournament with his team could factor into his growth and development.

“It helps you recognize that there’s always more work to be done. There’s always someone better than you, and that should always motivate you to try to get better,” Alegria said. “It’s a faster game, 7-on-7, but it helps you in football become a faster decision maker. Instead of thinking, just reacting.”

Already sounding like a veteran quarterback, Algeria said his thoughts upon being named starter centered around focusing and preparing, but never alone.

“My thoughts are just getting ready for the season, for the challenges ahead of me,” Algeria said. “It’s never easy. There’s always a lot on your shoulders. But you always can compromise, you always know it’s a team sport.”

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