The 10-team District 32-5A begins its long season tonight. District lasts two months, ending in late October.
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers went undefeated in District 32-5A last season, but were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round to McAllen High. The district title is a goal of course, but the Chargers will be working for that first round playoff win.
“It is great taking over a good team,” first-year coach Sherry Hoskins said during RGVSports.com’s media day. “Every team that you take over regardless of if they are good or not, there is always little things that we can work on. No one is perfect.”
Seniors Marifer Solis, Kassy Garcia, Elise Fourt, Tamar Lane, Andrea Chapa, Lyana Lopez, Vriseyda Calzada and juniors Paulina Ramirez, Graciela Avila, Makayla Lerma, Alondra Calzada and Montserrat De Los Santos make up the deepest squad in the district. Only one underclassman, sophomore Lesly Camacho, is on the current roster.
To move on from first round woes, the team will have to utilize all of it players, especially hitters Hoskins said.
“We are fortunate here at Veterans to have enough hitters for every single rotation,” she said. “If we run certain plays, distinct plays, we are able to freeze blocks and hopefully swing at a certain level that we should be swinging at to earn our own points and take care of our side.”
Brownsville Veterans’ biggest challenge last season came at the hands of Brownsville Pace. The Vikings also bring back experienced players, but like other teams in the district will have younger players meshing with the seasoned varsity athletes.
Pace’s Andie Lozano-Lomeli blocked 132 shots last season as a sophomore. The net will be protected well , as senior Luz Martinez joins Andie Lozano-Lomeli in the middle. Dyllan Lozano-Lomeli will look to set her sister and teammates, whilst Bryanna Narvaez also brings experience as a libero.
“We are one of the top teams, but we still need to work on a lot of things,” Pace head coach Daianarah Bracero said during RGVSports.com’ media day. “It is going to be tough now that there are ten teams in the district, it is not going to be easy, the girls are ready, we are ready.”
Pace finished second in the district last season and open up against Donna North.
Edcouch-Elsa finished third in the district in 2021. The Lady Jackets return Vida Ybarra, their explosive outside hitter and setter, so far this season Ybarra averages over six kills a set.
“We are going try and get district champs,” Ybarra said. “We are really aiming to beat Brownsville Vets.”
Joining District 32-5A this season will be Donna North and Harlingen South. The Lady Hawks have a new coach with Doryann Perez, the alum brings varsity coaching experience after stints at Falfurrias and Karnes City.
A player to watch for the Hawks will be sophomore Malloree Mireles. The Hawks play host to the district champions, Brownsville Veterans, tonight.
The Hawks are not a lock for a playoff spot after coming down from District 32-6A. They will battle with the likes of Edcouch-Elsa, Brownsville Lopez and Donna High for the two playoff spots in the district.
Donna High have secured a playoff spot eight seasons in a row.
“We are trying to keep that going and not break that playoff streak,” junior outside hitter Erica Garcia said.
Weslaco East, Mercedes, Brownsville Porter and Donna North look like they could be playing mostly for pride.
But, any one of those teams could easily turn things around from last season and make a playoff push if one team sweeps the other three. Six wins and a win or two against Donna High, Harlingen South or Brownsville Lopez could have one of them sneak in.
Weslaco East has plenty of height. Donna North comes with District 32-6A experience. Brownsville Porter picked up a few wins in district last season, including a win over Donna High.
Mercedes will have a new coach, Olga Adame. It is focused on not repeating last season, where they failed to win a district match.
Porter takes on Weslaco East tonight. Mercedes and Edcouch-Elsa take their rivalry to the hardwood floors. Lopez and Donna High, two playoff hopefuls, go at it early.
Plenty of intriguing matchups to begin the two-month season in District 32-5A.