By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Alejandra “Ali” Rodriguez is making the most of her college experience.

A top golfer at Hanna before graduating in 2016, Rodriguez has continued to be a standout on the golf course and in the classroom the past two years at McLennan Community College in Waco.

She earned All-America honorable mention in early May by finishing 16th individually at the National Junior College Athletic Association Women’s Tournament at Mesa, Arizona. McLennan CC finished third as a team at the national tournament after placing fourth the previous year when Rodriguez was a freshman.

Rodriguez, a business major, has concentrated on her studies as well. She carries a 4.0 grade-point average and has earned NJCAA Academic All-America honors.

“It was very exciting,” Rodriguez said of her sophomore year at McLennan CC. “I didn’t know I was going to do so well.”

It was a four-day national tournament in May and Rodriguez turned in her best score during the final round when she shot an even-par 72.

Asked how she manages to balance her schedule between the demands of golf and her studies, Rodriguez said, “I make sure I give myself time for both.

“It’s not very easy to do,” she added. “The teachers have been very helpful because we’re gone a lot (playing at tournaments). The coaches help you with your course load and schedule, too.”

The McLennan CC women’s golf team is coached by the father-son duo of Stan and Jones Mitchell. This was Jones Mitchell’s first year as the head coach. He said that actually, he and his father both share head coaching duties.

Jones Mitchell is familiar with Brownsville as he played four years (2004-08) on the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College golf team and later served as the team’s graduate assistant in 2009.

The McLennan CC coach says Rodriguez playing on the team holds a special significance for him.

“She was my first recruit (in 2016),” Jones Mitchell said. “It’s been neat to see her grow. She’s very mature for her age and she plays with maturity. She never puts outside pressure on herself.

“I’ve never had to worry about ‘Ali,’” he added. “I’d ask her (when we were playing in a tournament) if she was doing OK and she would tell me, ‘I’m good.’ As long as I made sure she had something to eat at a tournament, she was good. She’s the one I had to worry about the least.”

Jones Mitchell said he learned about Rodriguez through Adrian Garcia, Hanna’s golf coach.

“He made me look good (by telling me to recruit Rodriguez),” the McLennan CC coach said of Garcia.

The next stage of Rodriguez’s golf career/education begins in August when she enrolls at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, a four-year NCAA Division II school.

Garcia believes the best from his former golfer is yet to come. He won’t soon forget about ‘Ali’ as her younger sister, Alexis Rodriguez, will be playing on the Hanna golf team as a senior next school year. Alexis went to the regional tournament in April as a junior.

“I’m so proud and happy for ‘Ali,’” Garcia said. “She has worked very hard to get to this level. She will only get better.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

The school year may be over, but Hanna’s college signings for graduating senior athletes are not.

Christopher Cardenas and Matthew Garcia, two top players from Hanna’s 7-4 playoff team of last fall, signed scholarship agreements Wednesday at the school auditorium to continue playing their sport at the next level.

Garcia, who was The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Football Defensive Player of the Year at free safety and a three-year starter for the Golden Eagles, signed with Central Methodist University, an NAIA school in Fayette, Missouri.

Cardenas, a speedy record-setting kickoff returner and two-year starter at wide receiver, signed with Vermilion Community College, a National Junior College Athletic Association school in Ely, Minnesota.

Mark Guess, Hanna’s athletic coordinator and head football coach, said both players have benefited from strong family support and have learned how to conduct themselves as athletes and students.

“These guys are true, true gentlemen on and off the field,” Guess said. “The way they carry themselves speaks a lot about how they were brought up.

“They’ve been a big part of the team during the two years that I’ve been here (as head coach),” Guess added. “It’s been fun to coach them and we’re going to miss them.”

Guess said each of the two players made an important impact on the team.

“Losing these two guys is certainly going to hurt us,” the Hanna coach said. “Chris, with his speed on offense, was a tremendous weapon. We could give him the ball on a ‘fly’ sweep or throw the ball downfield to him. Once he got the ball, he could make things happen. Also, he was always dangerous as a return guy. He just needed one block or one move and he could break one at any time.

“Then, of course, there was Matthew,” Guess added. “We used him on defense, offense and special teams. I think his presence is the biggest thing we’re going to miss. He was all over the field and led us in tackles two years in a row. I would say his presence in the secondary made the other guys on defense play better.”

The standout free safety finished the 2017 season with 104 tackles, including 19 for a loss. He had five sacks and made three interceptions. Two of Garcia’s pickoffs were returned for touchdowns. He also had a punt return for a TD.

Garcia said he has been thinking about signing to play football in college since seventh grade, so Wednesday was an eventful day in his life.

“I’ve been waking up and thinking I wanted to play college football, and now it’s come true,” he said. “I expect to help my new team win, obviously, but most of all, I’ll be getting my (college) education. I’ll fulfill my dreams that I had planned.”

Garcia said he plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice. Cardenas is undecided on his major at this point.

Cardenas grew up playing a variety of sports and really blossomed in football his final two years at Hanna after overcoming a knee injury as a sophomore. He also played basketball and ran track in high school and is a first degree black belt in Taekwondo and a state and national champion as a chess player.

Guess said he was told Cardenas’ 102-yard kickoff return against Weslaco East in the final game of the regular season last Nov. 10 is believed to be a Sams Memorial Stadium record. Cardenas scored 20 points for the Eagles in that game, but it was not enough to prevent East from capturing a 42-35 win as both teams went on to the playoffs.

“It was amazing playing for this (Hanna) team,” Cardenas said. “We knew we had a lot of talent and we knew we could make a name for ourselves. We showed it out on the field. It was a really great (2017) season and really exciting. Of course, I’m motivated (to play in college). A season like we had just makes you want to work twice as hard (in the future).

“This day (of signing) has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” Cardenas added. “My dad and I have always watched college football, and now that I’m signing, it’s a dream come true and it’s been my main goal since I was young.

“I’m excited about the chance to play in snow (in Minnesota).”

At the end of Wednesday’s event, Garcia shared some advice for all those who have high aspirations.

“For the ones out there dreaming, if you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want,” Garcia said.

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Regina Tijerina’s one season of playing volleyball at Brownsville’s Jubilee charter school was enough to convince her to take her game to the next level.

Earlier this year, Tijerina attended a Laredo Community College tryout, impressed the coaches and earned a scholarship.

The senior all-around player realized the next step of her future Tuesday as she signed an athletic scholarship agreement with the Palominos, who play in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The Jubilee student body and the school’s teachers, coaches and administrators were present for the signing ceremony in the gym along with Tijerina’s family members.

“I’m very excited and happy (for this day to arrive),” said Tijerina, who began playing her sport at age 13. “(Through volleyball) I’ve learned to be disciplined as a person and to keep pushing myself more and more.

“I’ve had a lot of support here (at Jubilee) as a student and as an athlete,” added the volleyball standout, who plans to study kinesiology in college with the intent of one day coaching her sport. “I’m going to college with a lot of enthusiasm to do well in my sport and to do well in my studies.”

Jubilee plays in the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League. The Titans advanced to the TCSAAL state semifinals in volleyball last fall at Georgetown before finishing with a 29-2 record.

Even though she played only one season for Jubilee, Tijerina, who has club experience as well, became the team’s top player in 2017, earning MVP honors at the district and regional levels while being chosen first-team all-state. She also was chosen all-state academically.

Tijerina impressed Lester Shears, her volleyball coach.

“Regina is a tremendous athlete,” Shears said. “She’s been here at Jubilee for four years and this was the first year she participated in the program. I’ve known her for a couple of years (through club volleyball). I approached her and said, ‘Let’s see what you can do here (at Jubilee),’ and she came out for the team. Her mind is always going (to set up the next play). She’s a player who is hard on herself and leads by example.

“She never points a finger at anyone because that’s just not her personality,” Shears added. “She’s a left-side hitter who can play anywhere, so I would say she’s an all-around player. I think at the next level she’ll probably play defensive specialist. Regina’s jump serve is out of this world. She led the district and the state with her ace percentages. She is just an amazing player and she has younger sisters (Valentina and Carmina) who follow her lead. They’ve worked out with us.

“Regina is very coachable and she’s going to do great at the next level. I’d put her stats up against anybody in UIL.”

Perhaps Robert Lopez, Jubilee’s strength and conditioning coach, best summed up the celebratory mood of Tuesday’s event when he was handed the microphone during the signing ceremony and told Tijerina, “Don’t ever forget us (here at Jubilee) because we’ll never forget you.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | The Brownsville Herald

The Rivera Raiders boasted standouts all over the field during the recently completed soccer season.

Among them were Julian Espinoza on the offensive end, Roberto Melendez on the defensive end and Kevin Zarrazagas in the middle.

All three received top honors in 2018 on The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Boys Soccer Team.

Espinoza, an attacking midfielder who scored 32 goals, is the offensive player of the year, while Melendez, a central defender, is the defensive player of the year. Both are seniors and four-year members of the Rivera varsity.

Zarrazagas is a sophomore who played different positions that included defensive midfielder, on the midfield wing and at attacking midfielder. He is the utility player of the year.

“ It’s very amazing (to be honored) because all the hard work is paying off,” Zarrazagas said. “It’s not just an award for me. It’s for all my teammates, too. Step by step, we’re improving.

“ We (players) put time into it, the coaches put time into it and every one of us deserves an award,” he added. “I tried to prepare as much as I could for this season and I felt pretty good about it, better than last year. I want to keep improving.

“ I thank my teammates. To the ones who are leaving to college, I say best of luck, and for the rest (of us), keep working hard for next season.”

The Raiders repeated as District 32-6A champions this season with a 13-1 record and advanced to the Region IV-6A Tournament for the first time since 2015 before finishing with a 22-5-4 overall mark.

In addition to their All-Metro awards, Espinoza was the MVP in 32-6A, while Melendez was the district’s top defensive player and Zarrazagas was the utility player honoree.

Espinoza is grateful to receive recognition since he had to battle through injuries during his junior and senior seasons.

“ I believe we haven’t seen the best of Julian yet and from these other guys as well,” Rivera coach Salvador Garcia said.

The graduating attacking midfielder can’t help but feel blessed.

“ I never thought I was going to be able to come back and play the same way and at the same pace, but thank God, I did,” said Espinoza, who recently signed to play at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. “I thank God, my team and my coaches because without them I wouldn’t be able to receive these honors. It’s a motivation for me for the future and it makes me think these are not the only awards I’m going to win.

“ It’s a blessing to play for the Raiders,” Espinoza added. “Before I got to high school, I didn’t realize how important it was to play for this program. It didn’t take me long to find out. I thank this program and my Coach (Garcia) because he changed me as a player and as a person. For me, he’s the best coach in Texas.”

Added Melendez, who has signed to play at Laredo Community College, “I’m pretty much satisfied with the season. Yes, we wanted to win state, but things happen for a reason. I’m blessed to be part of this team and this program. It was a good experience for the ones coming back next year to go to the regional tournament this season.

“ High school doesn’t come back and these are the best years of your life,” Melendez added. “That’s what we try to tell the younger guys and for them to make the most of it. Thanks to the coaches because we’ve learned not just about soccer from them, but about life, too.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | The Brownsville Herald

Jose “Chevy” Echevarria is truly an MVP for all seasons.

Last fall, he was a key member of the Lopez Lobos football team that went to the Class 5A playoffs. He also ran on Lopez’s relay teams at the Region IV-5A track & field meet just a few weeks ago.

In between, “Chevy” played a little soccer for the Lobos.

While it’s well-established that Echevarria is a multi-sport standout, soccer is his passion.

Give him a soccer ball, turn him loose on the field and magic happens.

The senior attacking midfielder/forward is a repeat selection as the most valuable player for The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Boys Soccer Team.

He also won the award in 2017 and was named MVP for the second straight time in District 32-5A this season.

“ It’s great (to win awards) because it means all the hard work you put into games and practices has paid off,” Echevarria said. “It feels great for your family, your girlfriend and everyone you love. It means a lot.”

During “Chevy’s” four years playing at Lopez, the Lobos have gone to the UIL state tournament two times (2016 and 2017) and won district titles twice (2016 and 2018). This season, Lopez won 32-5A with a 13-1 record and advanced three rounds in the 5A playoffs before ending with a 27-2-3 overall mark.

Echevarria was chosen as the All-Valley Sports Boys Soccer Player of the Year a year ago as a junior when he recorded 27 goals and 10 assists. As a senior, he recorded 32 goals and 25 assists.

“ Chevy” is the pure image of what a (soccer) player from Lopez looks like,” Lobos coach Amadeo Escandon said. “He is extremely dedicated, for I do not recall the last time he missed a practice. He’s also very passionate about the sport, for he eats and breathes ‘futbol,’ and to top it all off, God has blessed him with speed and soccer skills, which in our sport is a rare combination.

“ His ability to cut into defenses almost at will makes him a lethal forward/attacking midfielder,” Escandon added. “All these attributes propelled him to be the obvious choice for MVP.”

“ Chevy” hasn’t signed to play in college because he and three other soccer players from Brownsville are scheduled to travel to Spain in June to see if they can earn a spot on a professional team’s roster overseas. He said signing to play in college is always an option, but playing professionally in Europe would be the fulfillment of a dream.

Regardless of what may happen in the future, the multi-sport standout has cemented his reputation as one of the best to play soccer in Brownsville. He says he’ll always treasure his time playing for the Lobos.

“ It’s meant a lot (to play for Lopez),” Echevarria said. “My freshman year was a little bit of a struggle with my classes and things, but I got through it, started passing and from there just gave it everything I had, so it’s meant a lot to play for this school.

“ Probably the best feeling ever is to wear the jersey for the Lobos,” he added. “When you wear a Lopez shirt or a Porter shirt, you know you’re representing a whole community (in Southmost). It feels great to put on that shirt (for games) every Tuesday and Friday. I will always mean a lot to me.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | The Brownsville Herald

Brandon Montes is proud to wear the Porter Cowboys soccer jersey.

And he’s humbled to be named The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Boys Soccer Newcomer of the Year.

The All-Metro award is not too much of a surprise, though, because the standout freshman midfielder was chosen as this season’s top newcomer in District 32-5A as well.

“ I feel this season was pretty great for me since I got to know my teammates, learn to get along with them and experience what it’s like to be on the varsity,” Montes said. “In getting used to it, my coaches and my teammates helped me a lot. I got to feel comfortable (with them) and they gave me lessons about how to give everything out on the field.

“ I expected it to be really hard (on the varsity), and sure enough, it was,” he added. “As someone new to high school (soccer), it was something to get used to. It feels really great to make it to the varsity, and you can see your hard work paying off. It feels spectacular to be selected for the varsity (out of about 100 candidates in the fall at Porter).

“ What stood out to me about this season was everyone was humble and we got along very well. We were like a whole big family together.”

The Cowboys finished third in 32-5A this season and advanced two rounds in the Class 5A playoffs with basically a team of underclassmen.

Porter coach Jose Espitia said Montes displayed strong soccer skills and became one of the squad’s most reliable players.

“ It’s a highlight for the whole team to have Brandon recognized,” the Cowboys coach said. “He’s a leader on and off the field. And to top it off, he loves Porter.”

Espitia said Montes is someone who has a high level of maturity as a freshman.

“ Brandon is very coachable and is very humble and respectful with the coaches and his teammates,” the Porter coach said. “He has been to Europe and so many other places with his club and select teams and the U.S. ODP (Olympic Development Program), yet his feet are firmly on the ground.

“ Our plan was to transition him to varsity soccer little by little, but he ended up exceeding our expectations,” Espitia added. “He quickly became a solid starter on the team. Brandon is technically gifted with both feet and he transitions easily from defense to offense and vice versa.”

In August, Montes is scheduled to join an under-16 team of players from the U.S. and Mexico that is going to play in China. He said he’ll continue training a lot through the summer to be ready for the trip.

For the moment, though, he can enjoy his awards as a newcomer of the year.

“ It’s really an honor (to receive this recognition) because it means I did really well against sophomores, juniors and seniors (in varsity competition),” Montes said. “It wasn’t only me because my teammates helped me give the best out on the field. I’m motivated (for the future). These awards mean that I can become a leader and help the underclassmen next season become the best players they can be.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | The Brownsville Herald

Guiding his Brownsville Veterans Memorial soccer team to the Region IV-5A final in back-to-back years was quite an accomplishment for coach Alberto Vasquez, particularly since he did it with a number of new players in the lineup in 2018.

For his efforts in taking the Chargers farther than any other area team in this season’s playoffs, Vasquez is The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.

After graduating 15 seniors from the 2017 team, the Chargers again advanced five rounds in the Class 5A playoffs and reached the Region IV-5A final on April 14 in Corpus Christi only to come up short 3-1 against a strong Valley View squad.

It was disappointing for the District 32-5A runner-up Chargers (27-3-3) to not win just one more game and go to state, especially after losing to Lopez 1-0 at the same level of the playoffs the year before.

Yet, few teams ever make it that far in the postseason, let alone in back-to-back years.

Vasquez is aware of that fact and said his team will be just as motivated to do well and go even farther in 2019. He expects approximately eight starters back, so the future for the Chargers is looking bright.

“ You go from one year to the next and many times after having a good season, you take a step back,” said Vasquez, who just completed his eighth year coaching the Chargers and is assisted by Dante Ayala. “We graduated so many players (15) from the year before that it was impressive for our guys to step in there and play as well as they played and accomplish as much as we were able to accomplish. It was great to see.

“ Our guys knew exactly what they wanted this year and they went for it,” he added. “A lot of people were under the impression that we had the same group as the previous year and we didn’t.”

Along with the number of his players (seven) receiving All-Metro recognition, Vasquez said he is grateful to be part of it, too.

“ It’s just an honor,” said Vasquez, who played for the Lopez Lobos before graduating in 1996 and went on to play his sport for two years at the University of Texas-Pan American before the Broncs’ soccer program was shelved about 1999. “We have so many great coaches in this area and to be recognized like this is something great.

“ When you start a new program in Brownsville (like we did almost a decade ago), you have to prove yourself,” Vasquez added. “Every year it’s always been our goal to establish our reputation and gain respect. I think over the last eight years we’ve managed to do that.

“ I thank my players and coaching staff for the hard work they put in. Getting an honor is something we all share in.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Adir Ochoa is fulfilling a dream to play soccer beyond high school.

The Hanna senior signed an athletic scholarship agreement on Wednesday to play his sport next school year for Laredo Community College, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Ochoa, who plans to study business in college, signed with family members, teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers and other Brownsville ISD personnel in attendance at the Hanna auditorium.

“I feel proud and I feel that I’m completing a goal I’ve had for a long time, which is to play in college,” said Ochoa, a starter for two-and-a-half seasons in the midfield for the Golden Eagles. “I’m happy because I’m getting to play at a higher level than high school. I know it will be something different and that I’ll start as a freshman again.”

The Eagles were the second-place team in District 32-6A during the recently completed season and advanced three rounds in the Class 6A state playoffs.

Hanna coach Reyes Prado said Ochoa was an important part of the team and someone who earned all-district recognition.

“It’s the perseverance and the soccer skills that he has,” Prado said of the standout midfielder. “He has a good knowledge of the game and he pushes his teammates to be better.

“What we’re going to miss from Adir (after he graduates), even more than his soccer skills, is the great attitude he brought to the field,” the Hanna coach added. “He’s a good player, and obviously the coaches around the district know it (as evidenced by his all-district honors).

“The coach from Laredo Community College (Juan de Dios Ibarra) is giving a lot of our players (from Brownsville) an opportunity to go over there and start a soccer career in college with a chance to make a move to Division I after that. Adir is very comfortable with going over there. He won’t be too far from his family and friends, so he’s happy about that. We’re very grateful to Coach Ibarra from Laredo for helping out our players (with scholarships) and hopefully we can keep sending them to him.”

There are already players from Brownsville on the LCC roster and at least two more now have been added during the past week with Wednesday’s addition of Ochoa and the signing of Roberto “Tito” Melendez of Rivera a few days ago.

“I hope to elevate my game to the level they play in college,” Ochoa said. “In reality, it’s great to be over there (with these players from Brownsville). I know ‘Tito’ and I’ve gotten to know some of them by playing in a league outside of high school. To me, it’s a very good thing for the players from Brownsville and the Valley to come out at the college level and get to continue playing soccer.”

The graduating midfielder said there are many people inside and outside of soccer who have enabled him to reach this point of his life.

“I thank everyone who has helped me,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy getting here (as a Hanna senior). Many people have helped me outside of soccer and I thank them along with my family, my teachers and my coaches from soccer.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers finished 10th out of 12 teams Tuesday at the UIL Class 5A girls state tournament at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.

After Monday’s opening round saw the Lady Chargers shoot a 351 for ninth place, counting their four top scores, the Brownsville Veterans girls came in with a 347 score Tuesday to finish with a two-day total of 698 for 10th place.

Brownsville Veterans coach Thomas Abete said although it wasn’t the showing his team sought, it was still a valuable learning experience.

“I thought it was a great overall experience for the girls to be able to play with the elite golfers from around the state,” Abete said. “We didn’t play as well as we wanted to, but that’s the game of golf.

“The girls never gave up and fought hard until the end and enjoyed every moment along the way,” Abete added. “I’m very proud of these girls.”

The two-day individual scores for the Lady Chargers (top four players) on the par-72 course at White Wing were Julie Lucio, 75-76 — 151; Fahtima Avila, 82-83 — 165; Cecilia Garza, 96-89 — 185; and Anisa Nieto, 98-99 — 197. Gigi Ramirez (101-102 — 203) was the fifth player for the Lady Chargers.

Brownsville Veterans qualified for the 5A state tournament for the second straight year by finishing in second place behind Sharyland High at the Region IV-5A Tournament on April 26 in San Antonio.

A year ago, Brownsville Veterans became the first girls golf team from the city to advance to the UIL state tournament. The Lady Chargers finished fifth in the team standings at state in 2017.

Individually, Lucio, a University of Houston signee, finished in a three-way tie for 12th place on Tuesday.

The tournament medalist was Halle Whitney of Magnolia, who shot 71-72 — 143, which was a 1-under-par two-day total. Second place went to Jasmine Zhang of Midlothian with a 72-72 — 144, while third place belonged to first-day leader Gabriella Tomanka of Grapevine with a 69-76 — 145.

Laura Rodriguez led Sharyland High, the second-place team, with a 75-73 — 148 for seventh place individually.

Grapevine captured the 5A team championship in decisive fashion (a 24-stroke margin) by shooting 305-315 — 620. Sharyland High was second with a 324-320 — 644 and Midlothian was third with a 321-325 — 646.

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Volleyball will continue to be a vital part of Litzy Medina’s life beyond high school.

Rivera’s senior volleyball standout signed a college scholarship agreement Tuesday to play her sport next school year at Laredo Community College, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Medina was a four-year member of the Lady Raiders’ varsity squad and a team captain who earned all-district and All-Metro honors multiple times.

As a senior last fall, she was a key player on the Rivera team that won District 32-6A with a 14-0 record. The Lady Raiders advanced two rounds in the Class 6A playoffs and finished with a 29-11 overall mark.

“It always feels awesome to see another one of our players get a chance to play in college,” said Rivera coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra, who in 2017 surpassed 500 wins for her 25-year coaching career, all spent directing the Lady Raiders. “It’s exciting for me to see it happen and know that they made it (by being signed) so they can continue playing. As much as Litzy loves volleyball, this is great for her.”

The veteran Rivera volleyball coach said Medina, an outside hitter, displayed numerous qualities that brought success to the team.

“Litzy loves the game and she’s not afraid (to step forward),” Avelar-Guerra said. “When the match is on the line and we need a point, she wants the ball. She wants to be the reason we’re successful. She is a great leader who has a lot of heart.

“She’s just an awesome player,” the coach added. “Litzy has a heavy hand and hits the ball very hard. She’s also a very smart player. She plays aggressive and consistent and is a good captain in that she helps the team by serving as a good bridge between the players and the coaches. Sometimes players are afraid to come up to the coaches and ask something because they don’t want to get in trouble or whatever, so they go to her. She’s a reliable player who passed along concerns of the team to the coaches.

“I could really rely on Litzy to communicate to the team for me (outside the court) and to communicate to the girls on the court. It’s nice to have players like that who do what Litzy does and want to be there when the set is on the line.”

Medina said she went to a tryout at LCC and the coaches there liked what they saw from her.

“I’ve thought about this day since the day I began playing volleyball,” Medina said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to play college volleyball, and thank God, the day has come for me to do it. I’m so excited.”

Medina said she wants to study kinesiology in college.

“It’s honestly the greatest feeling in the world to play in this Rivera program and it’s also a great privilege,” Medina said. “It was hard at first, but the coaches helped me, and because of them is why I’m here now. They’ve trained many of us to become great players who have gone on to the college level. They’re the greatest coaches anyone could have.”

The senior standout views the opportunity to play in college as another chance to improve.

“I look at this (athletic scholarship) as a motivation to be better,” she said. “It’ll make me want to work harder for everything. I hope I can show myself well in practice over there and get some playing time. I know the way I practice is the way I’ll play.

“I just want to thank God, my coaches and my teammates for always being there for me,” Medina added. “I have the greatest teammates, and because of them and my coaches, I’m here.”

Tuesday was a day for everyone to celebrate the signing and to wish all the best to one of Rivera’s best players in volleyball.

“I just want to congratulate Litzy for all the years she played for me and now for making it to the next level,” Avelar-Guerra said. “I know she’s going to do well.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess