Coaches, please text your scores and stats to (956) 821-3834 or email to [email protected]

Brownsville Pace def. Brownsville Hanna 25-14, 25-15, 25-14

Brownsville St. Joseph def. Brownsville Jubilee 21-25, 25-22, 25-9, 25-15

Corpus Christi Veterans def. McAllen High 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 19-25, 13-15

Donna High def. Weslaco High 25-13, 11-25, 16-14

Grulla def. IDEA Pharr 21-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22

Harlingen South def. Harlingen High 25-11, 25-20, 25-18

IDEA Frontier def. San Perlita 21-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-14

Los Fresnos def. McAllen Rowe 30-28, 25-17, 25-17

McAllen Memorial def. Laredo LBJ 25-16, 25-18, 25-17

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Veterans 25-17, 25-16, 25-18

Mission High def. Weslaco High 25-22, 25-7

Mission High def. Donna High 25-11, 25-7

Palmview def. Brownsville Porter 25-17, 25-10, 25-16

PSJA High def. PSJA North 25-11, 25-5, 25-14

Roma def. Hidalgo 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-9

San Benito def. Edinburg Vela 23-12, 8-25, 25-19, 25-16

Sharyland High def. Laredo United South 25-17, 25-13, 25-20

Sharyland Pioneer def. Laredo Alexander 25-14, 25-23, 22-25, 16-25, 15-8

Weslaco East def. Edinburg Economedes 25-21, 25-19, 25-18

Corpus Christi Veterans def. McAllen High 25-20, 25-21, 22-25, 19-25, 13-15

McAllen High: Yaneli Rocha 12 kills, 32 assists, 3 aces; Kayla Salinas5 kills, 4 digs; Karely Cantu 6 kills, 3 digs, 4 aces; Gaby Estringel 9 kills; Katherine Williamson 22 kills, 6 digs, 1 block; Isabella Rivera 4 kills, 1 blockl Kaylen Ottmers 16 digs, 5 assists, 2 aces; Katelyn Pritchard 21 assists, 4 digs, 2 kills, 1 ace; Katelyn Vaden 4 digs, 1 ace; Braelyn Martinez 3 digs

Donna High def. Weslaco High 25-13, 11-25, 16-14

Donna: Erica Garcia 5 kills, 2 aces, 7 digs; Summer Ramirez 13 digs; Isabel Lawson 4 kills, 6 digs; Serena Crawford 11 assists

Weslaco: Not reported

Donna: 4-4

Grulla def. IDEA Pharr 21-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22

Grulla: Fatima Montes 18 kills, 43 digs, 2 aces; Karolina Martinez 10 kills, 3 digs, 1 block; Johanna Escalante 8 kills, 9 digs; Giselle Barrera 33 digs, 1 ace, 12 assists; Elanie Castillo 2 kills, 9 sigs, 1 ace, 3 blocks; Maylee Bermudez 1 kill, 13 digs, 2 aces, 21 assists; Ailani Lopez 43 digs; Ava Brown 23 digs

IDEA Pharr: Not reported

Harlingen South def. Harlingen High 25-11, 25-20, 25-18

South: Alyssa Luna 5 kills; Ella Ramirez 4 kills; Kamryn Castillo 16 assist, 4 aces

Harlingen: Not reported

IDEA Frontier def. San Perlita 21-25, 25-12, 25-18, 25-14

Frontier: Alejandra Garza 13 kills, 3 aces, 3 blocks; Madison Matlock 8 kills, 6 aces, 5 blocks

San Perlita: Not reported

Frontier 5-3

Los Fresnos def. McAllen Rowe 30-28, 25-17, 25-17

Rowe: Audrina Perez 7 kills; Katelynn Tarbutton 7 kills; Hailey Gonzalez 5 kills, 11 digs; Aubrey Castro 13 assists; Leana Palacios 11 assists; Ariana Facundo 10 digs; Mikael Segovia 12 digs

Los Fresnos: Not reported

McAllen Memorial def. Laredo LBJ 25-16, 25-18, 25-17

Memorial: Amare Hernandez 17 kills, 1 block, 8 digs; Gaby Torres 4 kills, 3 digs, 20 assists; Madisyn Sosa 5 aces, 11 kills, 6 digs; Juliet Trevino 1 ace, 2 assists, 10 digs; Kaitlyn Martin 2 aces, 2 kills, 2 digs; Karly Bazan 5 kills; Somer Donnelly 5 digs; Frida Ipina 7 digs; Ashley Garza 14 assists, 3 aces

Laredo LBJ: Not reported

McAllen Rowe def. Brownsville Veterans 25-17, 25-16, 25-18

Rowe: Audrina Perez 3 kills; Hailey Gonzalez 5 kills; Luanice Rivera 7 kills; Aubry Castro 11 assists, 4 aces; Kendal Kennan 4 aces; Leana Palacios 6 assists; Mia Hernandez 7 digs;

Brownsville Veterans: Not reported

Mission High def. Donna High 25-11, 25-7

Donna: Isabel Lawson 6 kills, 5 digs; Lizette Hernandez 4 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs; Summer Ramirez 1 ace, 13 digs; Serena Crawford 6 assists, 9 digs

Mission: Not reported

Donna: 4-4

Palmview def. Brownsville Porter 25-17, 25-10, 25-16

Palmview: Erika Tijerina 8 kills, 2 aces; Miley Zeiske 12 kills, 2 digs; Alexia Arevalo 10 assists, 1 ace; Evoria Garcia 16 assists, 3 kills, 6 aces, 10 digs; Jessica Arevalo 2 aces, 2 assists, 8 digs

Porter: Not reported

PSJA High def. PSJA North 25-11, 25-5, 25-14

PSJA High: Johanna Montelongo 10 kills, 3 aces, 1 block, 18 digs; Mia Dominguez 6 kills, 9 digs, 3 aces, 7 blocks; Julianna Guajardo 10 kills, 12 digs, 1 block; Karina Lucio 1 kill, 6 blocks; Alexa Carranza 1 digs, 3 aces; Victoria Gonzalez 20 assists, 4 digs, 2 aces; Kamila Figueroa 6 bloclks, 1 kill, 3 digs; Lexci Reyes 1 kills; Katherine Herrera 1 kill

PSJA North: Graciela Juarez 3 kills; Haley Martinez 3 kills, 9 digs, 1 ace, 1 block; Lily Benitez 9 digs, 9 assists; Mandaly Ramirez 9 digs, 1 assist; Sadie Gqrcia 9 kills, 12 digs; Sydney Munoz 18 digs, 2 assists; Vanessa Palacios 2 kills, 16 digs, 4 aces

PSJA North: 3-5

Roma def. Hidalgo 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-9

Roma: Elaiza Martinez 23 kills, 16 digs, 9 blocks; Madelyn Garcia 15 kills, 4 aces, 13 digs; Jaiela Garza 41 assists, 2 aces, 11 digs; Paula Barba 3 kills, 4 aces, 10 digs; Ceci Benitez 4 kills, 8 aces, 4 digs, 2 blocks; Nayleth Moreno 12 digs

Hidalgo: Not reported

Roma: 7-1

Sharyland High def. Laredo United South 25-17, 25-13, 25-20

Sharyland: Kenisha Martinez 11 kills; Kassandra De La Garza 5 kills, 6 assists; Pamela Peña 5 kills, 2 blocks; Ashlyn Garcia 5 kills, 3 aces; Kaitlin Rodriguez 3 assists, 3 aces; Claire Cantu 3 blocks

United South: Not reported

Sharyland: 10-1

DONNA — Longtime head coach Cynthia Viesca is working to bring a long and rich winning culture back to the Donna Bravettes. Meanwhile, Gavin Rudder is looking to create that culture as he begins his first year at Weslaco.

Led by returning senior Erica Garcia and junior Isabel Lawson, Donna overcame a second-set wake-up call from Weslaco to capture a 25-13, 11-25, 16-14 victory over the visiting Panthers during a tri-match with Mission High on Tuesday at Donna High. In other matches at Donna, Mission won both matches, 25-22, 25-7 over Weslaco and 25-11, 25-7 over Donna.

“We pulled out that first set but felt we relaxed a little in the second, and Weslaco woke up and they were swinging and got their hitters going,” said Viesca, who is closing in on her 500th career coaching victory. “Before the third set, I told them that if Weslaco got a good pass they were going to hit the ball and they did. We are a young team trying to learn our positions defensively, and learning to chase the ball down and who can help the setter when the ball doesn’t get passed to her.”

Lawson registered a pair of kills down the line to clinch the victory during the Bravettes’ 3-0 run that started with them battling back from down 15-14. Prior to that, with Lawson serving, Donna put together a 5-0 run, highlighted by a saving dig and two kills from Garcia.

“Usually we have setters returning, this year we have our outsides and they are opposite each other, so we know we always have one of them in the front row,” Viesca said. “They are coming around.”

It looked as if Weslaco would pull off the victory, gaining momentum following a full-speed crash into the bleachers by Elizabeth Craig and an unexpected save by the Panthers’ defense en route to an 8-4 lead.

While the Panthers looked stronger on the attack, led by right-side Jazmyn Cano and Mia Chapa, the Donna defense withstood the challenge and played consistent by blocking holes and forcing Weslaco to make aggressive errors.

“In the third set we were reading their hitters more, looking at their shoulders and covering those spots they hit during the second set,” Lawson said. “It came down to letting them make their own mistakes and using it to our advantage and just playing smart at the end, finding open spots and keeping a positive attitude as a team. That helped us pull through.”

The RGV high school volleyball schedule for Monday through Wednesday. Coaches, if you have not submitted your schedule, please do so to [email protected] as soon as possible, thank you.

Monday, Aug. 14

Brownsville Rivera at Brownsville Lopez, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 15

Brownsville Veterans, Los Fresnos at McAllen Rowe (tri-match), 4 p.m.

Weslaco, Mission High at Donna High (tri-match), 5:30 p.m.

La Villa at Progreso, 6 p.m.

Monte Alto at Edinburg IDEA Quest, 6 p.m.

PSJA High at PSJA North, 6 p.m.

McAllen High at Corpus Christi Veterans, 6 p.m.

Laredo United South at Sharyland High., 6 p.m.

Hidalgo at Roma 6:30 p.m.

Grulla at Pharr IDEA, 6:30 p.m.

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

Laredo Alexander at Sharyland Pioneer, 6:30 p.m.

Valley View at Lyford, 7 p.m.

PSJA Memorial at Rio Hondo, 7 p.m.

Weslaco East at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m.

Harlingen High at Harlingen South, 7 p.m.

Brownsville Hanna at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m.

Juarez-Lincoln at Donna North, 7 p.m.

Edinburg North at PSJA Southwest, 7:30 p.m.

Others times/sites TBD (not provided)

Mission Veterans, Rio Grande City, Edcouch tri-match

La Joya Palmview, Brownsville Porter, Economedes tri-match

Wednesday, Aug. 16

Laredo LBJ at McAllen Memorial, 6:30 p.m.

DONNA — San Benito’s Alyssa Gonzales was named the Donna ISD volleyball tournament MVP as the Greyhounds defeated Mission High to win the tournament championship Saturday at Donna High School.

San Benito downed Mission 25-23, 29-27 to capture the crown and compiled a 6-0 record during the three-day event. The Greyhounds defeated Roma, Donna High and Valley View on Friday in pool play, then upended Edinburg Economedes and Mission Veterans before facing Mission for the championship.

The Greyhounds’ Cassie Guzman was named to the all-tournament team along with Kayla Alaniz and Joslyn Rodriguez from Mission High, Etsel Ramirez from Edinburg North, Elaiza Martinez from Roma and Sydney Muñoz from PSJA North.

Roma defeated PSJA North, 25-14, 16-25, 15-7 for the Silver Bracket championship and Laredo Cigarroa downed Valley View 25-21, 23-25, 15-2 for the Bronze Bracket title.

Pioneer takes third at SpikeFest

The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks compiled a 5-1 record over the weekend to take third place in the Corpus Christi Spikefest tournament.

Pioneer’s lone loss came to Amarillo San Houston in the tournament’s semifinals 26-24, 25-19.

The Diamondbacks’ Aleena Zuniga and Tera Schumacher were named to the all-tournament team as Pioneer improved its record to 7-1 on the season, defeating Corus Christi Ray (25-23, 25-16), Gregory-Portland (25-20, 25-19), Tuloso Midway (25-17, 25-16), Sinton (25-23, 25-18) and Port Lavaca Calhoun (25-21, 25-16) in the third-place match.

Pioneer hosts Laredo Alexander at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday before competing in the Mission Varsity tournament beginning Thursday.

[email protected]

VALLEY HS CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

FRIDAY’S MEETS

Weslaco ISD Invitational

Mary Hoge Middle School

Weslaco, TX

Individual

Boys

1. David Zuniga, Sharyland Pioneer, 16:38.1; 2. Eric Davis, Weslaco East, 16:44.1; 3. Joshua Rodriguez, Weslaco High, 16:50.3; 4. Adrianno Gonzalez, Weslaco East, 17:02.4; 5. Aaron Nava, Weslaco East, 17:19.6; 6. Octavian De La Serna, Weslaco East, 17:20.9; 7. Thomas Tamayo, Los Fresnos, 18:07.0; 8. Bryan Valverde, Brownsville Porter, 19:07.0; 9. Ivan Gonzalez, Weslaco East, 19:08.9; 10. Bryan Perez, Brownsville Porter, 19:15.7.

Girls

1. Mareli Cuellar, Weslaco East, 21:04.7; 2. Beatriz Hernandez, Brownsville Hanna, 21:29.6; 3. Andrea Quintero, Weslaco East, 21:34.9; 4. Christa Cavazos, Weslaco High, 21:39.1; 5. Stephanie Ruiz, Los Fresnos, 21:55.1; 6. Tea Martinez, Weslaco East, 22:05.2; 7. Nadine Molina, Sharyland Pioneer, 22:38.5; 8. Aamarie Ebarb, Weslaco High, 22:45.9; 9. Joanna Munoz, Weslaco East, 22:50.9; 10. Mattie Castillo, Weslaco East, 22:51.9.

Team

Boys

1. Weslaco East, 21; 2. Sharyland Pioneer, 56; 3. Los Fresnos 70; 4. Brownsville Hanna, 79.

Girls

1. Weslaco East, 19; 2. Brownsville Hanna, 44.

35th Annual Yellow Jacket Invitational

David Ybarra Middle School

Edcouch, TX

Individual

Boys

1. Armando Morales, La Feria, 15:36.21; 2. Anthony Morales, La Feria, 15:37.08; 3. Jose Ventura, Lasara, 16:12.17; 4. Juan Aguinaga Jr., Edcouch-Elsa, 16:18.93; 5. Evan Torres, La Feria, 16:34.21; 6. Roehl Rodriguez, McAllen Memorial, 16:46.98; 7. Rafael Rosas Garcia, Eagle Pass, 16:47.33; 8. Josue Cisneros, Mission High, 16:54.09; 9. Javier Ramirez, Eagle Pass Winn, 17:09.90; 10. Carlos De Los Santos, Eagle Pass, 17:12.06.

Girls

1. Kenzi Ramirez, McAllen High, 19:05.94; 2. Cierra Garcia, La Feria, 19:25.86; 3. Rebecca Davila, Edcouch-Elsa, 19:43.93; 4. Kaycei Salazar, La Villa, 19:47.42; 5. Mia Trevino, La Feria, 20:26.20; 6. Destiny Trevino, Edinburg Vela, 20:31.04; 7. Aliyah Fonseca, Harlingen South, 20:52.31; 8. Dana Rodriguez, Edinburg Vela, 21:00.62; 9. Jessica De Leon, Harlingen South, 21:10.73; 10. Itzel Rodriguez, Brownsville Veterans, 21:25.60.

Team

Boys

1. La Feria, 34; 2. Eagle Pass, 81; 3. McAllen Memorial, 94; 4. Eagle Pass Winn, 97; 5. Progreso, 122; 6. Donna High, 171; 7. Edcouch-Elsa, 173; 8. Santa Maria, 182; 9. Hidalgo, 195; 10. Brownsville Veterans, 202.

Girls

1. La Feria, 48; 2. Edinburg Vela, 51; 3. Brownsville Veterans, 76; 4. PSJA Memorial, 94; 5. Edcouch-Elsa, 95; 6. Donna North, 124.

Rio Grande City Rattler Invitational

Ringgold Middle School

Rio Grande City, TX

Individual

5A/6A Boys 5K

1. Patricio Garza, Sharyland High, 16:21.8; 2. Jesus Guzman, Laredo Nixon, 16:33.2; 3. Patricio Salinas, Sharyland High, 16:51.3; 4. Javier Martinez, Laredo Nixon, 17:04.5; 5. Israel Esparza, Laredo Nixon, 17:05.4; 6. Carlos Gallegos, McAllen Rowe, 17:43.7; 7. Hector Pena, Rio Grande City, 17:51.5; 8. Christopher Tudor, 17:53.8; 9. Jorge Sanchez, Laredo Nixon, 17:57.5; 10. Axel Lopez, Laredo Nixon, 17:58.2.

Sub-5A Varsity/5A-6A JV Boys 5K

1. Gary Custer, Hebbronville, 17:17.6; 2. Omar Rodriguez, Grulla, 18:15.7; 3. Ronaldo Ramirez, La Joya Palmview, JV, 18:15.9; 4. Gabriel Garcia, Zapata, 18:45.8; 5. George Valdez, McAllen Rowe JV, 18:57.6; 6. Azael Davila, La Joya Palmview JV, 19:18.9; 7. Juan Mendez, La Joya High JV, 19:28.8; 8. Daniel Salazar, McAllen Rowe JV, 19:42.7; 9. Mitchell Salinas, McAllen Rowe JV, 19:42.9; 10. Jesus Manuel Murrieta, Laredo Harmony, 20:01.6.

5A/6A Girls 5K

1. Morgan Ramos, Rio Grande City, 19:46.8; 2. Alessa De La Garza, Laredo Nixon, 19:54.5; 3. Yaritzy Acosta, La Joya Palmview, 20:32.0; 4. Genesis Ramirez, La Joya Palmview, 20:42.1; 5. Samantha Viruel, Laredo Nixon, 21:12.9; 6. Julissa Sandoval, Laredo Nixon, 21:18.9; 7. Alexa Ruiz, Laredo Nixon, 21:42.3; 8. Annette Soria, Mission Veterans, 21:48.9; 9. Sofia Garza, Sharyland High, 21:54.1; 10. Sophia Sandoval, Laredo Nixon, 22:07.9.

Sub-5A Varsity/5A-6A JV Girls Two Miles

1. Zaddie Santacruz, Laredo Nixon JV, 12:15.18; 2. Marlyn Sanchez, Zapata, 13:36.4; 3. Yartezi Gonzalez, Zapata, 13:50.3; 4. Kaitlynn Sierra, Laredo Nixon JV, 14:14.3; 5. Adriana Turi, Zapata, 14:24.0; 6. Belle Villarreal, Zapata, 14:24.1; 7. Veronica Solalinde, Laredo Nixon JV, 14:25.4; 8. Corrine Jackson, Laredo Nixon JV, 14:27.6; 9. Marlen Lopez, Laredo Nixon JV, 14:29.5; 10. Asante Stewart, La Joya High JV, 14:38.1.

Team

5A/6A Boys 5K

1. Laredo Nixon, 15; 2. Mission Veterans, 55; 3. Roma, 70.

Sub-5A Varsity/5A-6A JV Boys 5K

1. McAllen Rowe JV, 35; 2. Laredo Nixon JV, 81; 3. Laredo Harmony, 82; 4. Roma JV, 115; 5. Hebbronville, 116; 6. Zapata, 127; 7. La Joya High JV, 164; 8. Falfurrias, 224; 9. San Isidro, 239.

5A/6A Girls 5K

1. Laredo Nixon, 25; 2. La Joya Palmview, 62; 3. Mission Veterans, 70; 4. Sharyland High, 79; 5. Roma, 109.

Sub-5A Varsity/5A-6A JV Girls Two Miles

1. Laredo Nixon JV, 29; 2. Zapata, 35; 3. Grulla, 82; 4. La Joya High JV, 114; 5. Falfurrias, 130; 6. Mission High JV, 146; 7. Roma JV, 197.

*Please send results to [email protected]

WESLACO — David Zuniga hasn’t competed in the RGV in nearly two years. Prior to his freshman year, Zuniga and his family relocated to Fairfax, Virginia, due to his father’s job.

There, Zuniga spent the first two years of his high school career running for James Madison High, making a name for himself on the cross-country course and on the track.

Zuniga and his family traded in the “Goldilocks” weather of Virginia for the hot and humid RGV climate this year, returning to the Valley for his junior and possibly senior seasons.

Sharyland Pioneer’s distance runner wasted no time reacquainting himself with the Valley competition, opening his junior year with a gold medal during the Weslaco ISD Invitational at Mary Hoge Middle School in Weslaco.

“Today’s race went out amazing, even though I went out a little slow,” Zuniga said. “I just transferred back, so I’m still getting used to it and shaking the rust off. … I’m going to use this win to my advantage. I got to know a little bit of the field. We had one of the top guys in the Valley out there today in Aaron Nava. He’s a big dog. We talked a little about how the race was going to go. I think he took it a little easy today, but it was still a good race for everyone. That experience of getting out and competing is just unmatched.”

Different climate and terrain presented a challenge during Zuniga’s first race in the RGV since eighth grade, battling through high temperatures and a flat surface in comparison to the cool and hilly courses in Virginia.

That didn’t stop Zuniga from shining during his return, clocking in at 16 minutes, 38.1 seconds for the win, just two seconds shy of his personal best set in Virginia, according to his Athletic.net profile.

“Coming down here and facing the weather changes, it is a hard obstacle,” Zuniga said. “Today I was able to face them, thanks to God. Over there it is cool, while over here we have hot and humid weather. Here it is flat, though, and over there it is a lot of hills, so I feel like it kind of evens out. I feel ready for this season. Good little rust buster today.”

Zuniga wasn’t the only athlete to pick up a milestone win Friday. Weslaco East senior Mareli Cuellar recorded the first win of her career during the same meet, finishing first in the girls division with a time of 21:04.2.

Prior to Friday, Cuellar had never finished in the top 10, according to her Athletic.net profile, with her 11th-place finish at the Donna ISD Invitational on Aug. 28, 2021, serving as her all-time best.

Weslaco East’s Mareli Cuellar celebrates her first place win during the Weslaco ISD Invitational cross country meet on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

“It is a big milestone for me,” Cuellar said. “I hope to keep it going and keep the times the same or better. I don’t know if I’ll get first again, but this is really motivating. I never expected to do this. I’m hoping to use this to help me make it to regionals as an individual and with my team. Maybe even get top 10.”

Cuellar’s performance helped the Wildcats capture the overall team victory, with their top five runners all finishing in the top 10. The Wildcats finished with 19 points for first, with Brownsville Hanna coming in second with 44 points.

The Wildcats completed a clean sweep of the team championship, with five top 10 finishes propelling the boys to the team championship over Sharyland Pioneer.

Senior Eric Davis led the way with a silver medal finish, clocking in at 16:44.1. Adrianno Gonzalez (17:02.4), Aaron Nava (17:19.6), Octavian Serna (17:20.9) and Ivan Gonzalez (19:08.9) all added top 10 finishes alongside Davis.

Weslaco East’s Eric Davis competes in the Weslaco ISD Invitational cross country meet on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Weslaco. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

In Edcouch, La Feria’s boys and girls teams picked up right where they left off last season, sweeping the team championships during the 35th annual Yellow Jacket Invitational at David Ybarra Middle School in Edcouch.

Both teams are coming off state meet appearances a year ago, with the boys team fresh off a runner-up finish in the Class 4A team standings.

The Lions boys team was led by sophomore twins Armando and Anthony Morales, who finished first (15:36.21) and second (15:37.08) on Friday, respectively.

In Rio Grande City, a pair of Valley athletes took home the top spots on the podium during the Rio Grande City Invitational, while Laredo Nixon swept the team wins.

Sharyland High sophomore Patricio Garza clocked in at 16:21.8 to win the boys race, and Rio Grande City’s Morgan Ramos finished in 19:46.8 to win the girls gold.

The San Benito Dog Pound Invitational also took place over the weekend, but results were not available as of press time Saturday.

For results from all the weekend’s cross-country action, visit RGVSports.com.

[email protected]

McALLEN — After Sharyland High lost to PSJA during the first day of pool play at the 17th annual McAllen High Pound Fest volleyball tournament, head coach Raul Castillo had “the talk” with the defending District 31-5A champions and UIL Class 5A Sweet 16 team.

“There’s never a good loss but it wakes you up,” Castillo said. “Nobody’s scared of you. Who are you? We all have something to show and we all have something to prove.

“I’ve been telling them if you want to win big games and you feel butterflies, you feel nervous, it’s normal. You want to be in those situations. That’s a good feeling, not a bad feeling.”

The message hit home and the Rattlers (9-1) rolled through the rest of the tournament, winning the championship with a 25-23, 25-17 sweep over an upstart McHi team Saturday at McAllen High School.

Kassandra De La Garza had a monster performance attacking, setting and diving ruthlessly for multiple saves to help the Rattlers pull away late during both sets.

“She gives us matchup that we like and we know what she can do. She’s her own player and she can put the ball down as strong as Kenisha (Martinez), she just needs to want to do it,” Castillo said. “It’s time for her to take more credit and step up and get involved like that.”

The junior right side hitter finished the day with nine kills and nine assists, many of those going to teammate, classmate and last season’s RGVSports.com Player of the Year, Kenisha Martinez, who led Sharyland with 15 kills and three aces, two of those aces coming to set up match point.

“For the past two years, Pound Fest has been a terrible experience for me but this year it changed,” De La Garza said. “I knew I had to try and make up for the past two years.”

The teams were tied six times in the first set by 8-8. Then McHi, behind a pair of kills from Katherine Williamson took a two-point lead. The teams tied again at each point between 17 and 23 before De La Garza tipped a ball and Pamela Peña followed it with another tip to end the first set.

“We cannot get cocky,” De La Garza said. “Just because we won district last year doesn’t mean we’re gong to win district this year. We have to play together and bring the same energy we had last year.”

The teams were tied again in the second set, for the final time at 14, before Sharyland went on a 5-0 run with Ashlyn Garcia serving. During the run, Martinez registered a kill down the line, a point on a roll shot to the middle and Barbara Peña also collected a block. The Bulldogs couldn’t close the gap and Sharyland clinched the victory.

“I think we came together as a team,” Martinez said. “We had our ups and downs but at the end of the day we had more ups than downs. I think it’s going to be a pretty good season. Teams are going to want to take our position in district but we’re not going to stop and we will keep pushing to keep that top spot.”

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McALLEN — When the stampede starts, you best get out of its path.

That was the case Friday afternoon and big hitters Amare Hernandez and Madisyn Sosa powered their Mustangs to a convincing 25-17, 25-15 over PSJA High during Day 2 of the McAllen High Poundfest volleyball tournament at McAllen Memorial. The event, which concludes Saturday with the championship bracket played at McAllen High, is being held at all three McAllen campuses – Rowe, Memorial and McHi.

The Mustangs and Bears came into the match undefeated in both the tournament and overall during the young season and have pulled themselves apart as two of the top teams in the Rio Grande Valley.

Memorial was playing without injured standout senior hitter Leah Garcia while PSJA star Johanna Montelongo was favoring her right leg following a prior match with Harlingen South and sat most of the first set before returning to the floor in the second.

Both teams could face each other again Saturday based on how the brackets are set up.

Hernandez and Sosa both displayed the power that have helped propel Memorial to last year’s Class 5A Sweet 16 and have made them a perennial power while senior setter Gaby Torres ran a silky offense with well placed balls and some sneaky dinks to keep the Mustangs in control of the match from the onset.

Memorial led 5-0, highlighted by a Sosa ace and back row kill, before Julianna Guajardo got Memorial on the board with a kill. Memorial led 18-12 before the Bears closed to 18-15, again behind a pair of kills from Guajardo.

That’s when the high-flying Sosa started rolling and registered three kills during a five-point span then Kaitlyn Martin put the first set away with a kill from the middle. It was the first set dropped by PSJA this season.

“I think after a couple of points we just got a hold of ourselves,” Hernandez said. “They’ve got (libero) Alexa (Carranza) and she’s all over the floor and they have big hitters and blockers and we just needed to be ourselves.”

Memorial head coach Ashley Doffing summed it up, saying “the girls were awake and they were meshing together. It didn’t matter who did what, they were just all working and being the team we’ve been for four years.”

Sosa led the team with 15 kills and a pair of aces while Hernandez contributed nine kills and a pair of blocks. Hernandez also showed some of her better defensive skills that she said she had worked hard on all during the offseason.

“It’s important,” she said. “I can finally read the hitters and I’m a hitter so I kind of know. But as much of an effort I put into the front row, I put into the back row. Defense is a mentality – you can’t be nervous, you just have to own it.”

Middle blocker Karly Bazan also stepped into the spotlight Friday, working with Hernandez on back-to-back blocks late in the second set. Earlier in the set she added a solo block and a quick kill as Memorial increased its lead. Torres and Ashley Garza each had 10 assists.

“This pool is tough,” Doffing said. “I prepared the girls for the whole day. It’s about respecting each and every team. Any team on any day can take us out.”

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HARLINGEN — Former heavyweight world title challenger Eric “The Drummer Boy” Molina went into the 10th round against Tomasz Adamek down big on all of the judges’ cards, only a finish would do despite the fight being slated for 12 rounds.

Adamek, a former world champion in two weight classes and regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound Polish fighters of all time, also had the backing of Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland — the venue for the April 2, 2016, fight between Molina and Adamek.

Molina silenced the Polish crowd after flooring Adamek during the closing seconds of the 10th round to win the vacant IBF intercontinental heavyweight title and an eventual IBF heavyweight title fight.

Molina, along with Robert Campos, Raul Casarez, Tom Lindsey, Mario Davila and Omar Figueroa Sr., will be inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Boxing Hall of Fame at 5 p.m. Friday at the Harlingen Convention Center with a special guest, Evander Holyfield, the former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion, taking part in the ceremony.

Molina’s 17-year boxing career ended in March after a trip to Montreal, Canada. Molina knew going into the fight it was his last and a month or two after, the RGV Boxing Hall of Fame came knocking.

“Of course it was an honor to accept the nomination and be a part of the event,” Molina said. “It means a lot to me. We are getting ready for that this Friday, and I am just really honored and humble to be a part of it.”

He was proud of how he left things. Molina shared the ring with some of heavyweight boxing’s greatest talents of this generation — the main two being Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.

Molina said times were tough, and he was in a very dark place after the loss to Wilder. Molina rebounded afterward with a win in the Valley and the knockout in Krakow.

“That was definitely the highlight of my career,” Molina said. “That is where I began to frame the term, ‘the art of bouncing back,’ it was just in my entire career. I started off going 0-1 in my career, bounced back. I’d lose another one and people will write you off. I just bounced back every single time.

“So, just knowing that I can do that, and I did that after the Wilder fight and I challenged for my second heavyweight title, that was the most special moment for me,” Molina added.

Molina did not have an amateur career and, after starting 0-1, rattled off 18 straight wins. He ended his career with a 29-9 record.

The inductees and other local professional fighters will be signing autographs before the banquet begins. Tickets, tables and information are available by calling (956) 536-5287.

Tuesday’s high school volleyball scores and stats as provided by coaches:

Brownsville Lopez def. Brownsville Hanna 27-25, 23-25, 16-25, 25-18, 15-7

Brownsville Porter def. La Feria 25-21, 25-15, 25-21

Brownsville Rivera def. Edinburg Economedes 25-21, 25-21, 25-19

Brownsville Veterans def. PSJA Memorial 25-16, 25-17, 25-21

Corpus Christi Ray def. McAllen Rowe 25-19, 25-23, 15-25, 26-24

Donna High def. PSJA Southwest 25-20, 18-25, 25-22, 25-20

Edinburg High def. Hidalgo 25-20, 20-25, 15-11

Edinburg High def. Valley View 25-9, 25-23

Edinburg Vela def. Edinburg North 25-21, 25-22, 25-15

Grulla def. Santa Rosa 25-7, 25-22, 25-6

Grulla def. Santa Maria 22-25, 25-22, 25-12, 17-25, 15-8

Hebbronville def. Lyford 21-25, 25-23, 28-26, 25-27, 15-13

Hidalgo def. Valley View 25-14, 25-23

IDEA Quest def. Weslaco Pike 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21

La Joya High def. Donna North 25-21, 25-10, 25-10

Los Fresno defeated Harlingen South 25-18, 25-18, 25-16

McAllen High def. Laredo Alexander 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-6

McAllen Memorial def. Mission Veterans 25-7, 25-9, 25-8

McAllen Rowe def. Harlingen High 25-13, 25-13, 25-18

Mission High def. Juarez-Lincoln 25-7, 25-8, 25-8

Palmview def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-16, 25-12, 25-12

PSJA High def. Los Fresnos 25-17, 25-15, 25-12

PSJA High def. Harlingen South 25-18, 25-1, 25-13

Roma def. St. Joseph Academy 25-17, 25-23, 25-15

Santa Maria def. Santa Rosa 25-12, 25-21, 25-16

Sharyland High def. Laredo United 25-20, 25-20, 25-18

Sharyland Pioneer def. Corpus Christi Veterans 25-16, 25-12, 25-21

Sharyland Pioneer def. Laredo United South 25-11, 25-14, 25-14

Weslaco East def. PSJA North 25-18, 25-21, 23-24, 16-25, 15-7

Brownsville Lopez def. Brownsville Hanna 27-25, 23-25, 16-25, 25-18, 15-7

Lopez (1-0): Hailey Cano 11 kills; Desiree Castillo 9 kills; Jasmne Cortinas 7 kills; Victoria Gonzalez 6 kills, 9 blocks; Charlene Granado 3 aces

Hanna (0-1): Not provided

Brownsville Porter def. La Feria 25-21, 25-15, 25-21

Porter (1-0): Ebony Garza 5 kills; Jenny Salazar 4 kills; Gaby Sosa 7 kills; Jocelyn Vidarrai 2 kills; Allyson Gil 2 kills; Melanie Ortiz 20 assists, 2 kills, 5 aces; Miley Cortez 25 Points

La Feria (0-1): Not provided

Brownsville Rivera def. Edinburg Economedes 25-21, 25-21, 25-19

Rivera (1-0): Mel Garza 10 kills, 1 ace, 2 digs; Xandria Johnson 9 kills, 5 blocks; Zophia Blanco 1 kill, 6 aces, 14 assists; Gianna Cantu 11 assists, 3 aces, 7 digs

Economedes (0-1): Nayelis Mendez 14 kills; Aissa Garcia 11 assists; Jocelin Rosas 5 kills

Donna High def. PSJA Southwest 25-20, 18-25, 25-22, 25-20

Donna (1-0): Lizette Hernandez Valladares 3 aces, 6 kills; Erica Garcia 4 kills; Isabel Lawson 6 kills; Serena Crawford 6 assists; Alyson Perez 7 assists

PSJA Southwest (0-1): Not provided

Edinburg Vela def. Edinburg North 25-21, 25-22, 25-15

Vela (1-0): Abby Zamora 10 kills, 15 assists; Lauren Hanson 5 kills, 11 assists; Danika Verdooren 7 kills; Laura Guizar 3 kills, 7 pts; Gaby Gracia 16 digs; Mia De La Garza 14 digs; Ava Tovar 7 digs

North: Etsel Ramirez 12 kills, 15 digs; Maya Espinoza 6 kills, 2 digs 3 blocks; Natalie Avendano 5 kills, 3 digs; Itati Ramirez 13 assists, 3 digs 2 aces; Rubi Free 8 assists, 10 digs; Maddie Guerra 10 digs

Grulla def. Santa Maria 22-25, 25-22, 25-12, 17-25, 15-8

Grulla (2-0): Fatima Montes 13 kills, 30 digs, 2 aces, 1 block; Carolina Martinez 8 kills, 3 digs, 2 aces, 6 blocks; Johanna Escalante 5 kills, 12 digs, 2 aces, 1 block; Gizelle Barrera 2 kills, 19 digs, 11 assists; Elaine Castillo 1 kill, 6 digs 2 blocks; Maylee Bermudez 1 kill, 9 digs, 1 ace, 10 assists; Alani Lopez 37 digs; Ava Brown 7 digs

Santa Maria: Not provided

Hebbronville def. Lyford 21-25, 25-23, 28-26, 25-27, 15-13

Hebbronville (1-0): Not provided

Lyford (0-1): Kariali Martinez 15 kills, 29 digs, 2 assists; Heather May 12 kills, 10 digs, 2 blocks, 1 ace; Donyalle Rodriguez 26 digs, 2 assists; Danae Garcia 18 digs, 8 aces, 1 kill, 1 assist; ReAnn Rivera 18 assists, 6 digs, 4 kills

IDEA Quest def. Weslaco Pike 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21

Quest (1-0): Not provided

Pike (0-1): Natalie Rivera 13 kills; Donykah Mendoza 4 kills, 2 blocks; Ileen Luna 4 kills

La Joya High def. Donna North 25-21, 25-10, 25-10

La Joya (1-0): Emma Gomez 7 kills, 9 digs, 1 ace; Angie Silva 3 kills, 4 digs, 2 aces, 1 block, 5 pts; Melanie Juarez 9 assists, 1 kill, 2 digs; Lenny Garcia 8 digs, 2 assists, 21 pts; Natali Muñoz 2 kills, 6 assist, 1 ace; Fernanda Morales 2 kills, 6 digs

Donna North (0-1): Not provided

McAllen High def. Laredo Alexander 25-21, 22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-6

McAllen High (1-0): Yaneli Rocha 18 assists, 4 kills; Katherine Williamson 8 kills, 9 digs; Gaby Estringel 10 kills, 2 blocks; Katelyn Pritchard 6 assists, 10 digs; Isabella Rivera 5 kills, 5 blocks; Karely Cantu 7 kills, 2 aces; Katelyn Vaden 19 digs; Kaylen Ottmers 21 digs; Kayla Salinas 2 kills, 5 digs

Alexander (0-1): Not provided

McAllen Memorial def. Mission Veterans 25-7, 25-9, 25-8

Amare Hernandez 10 kills, 1 ace, 2 blocks; Leah Garcia 11 kills; Madisyn Sosa 7 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks; Karly Bazan 4 kills, 3 blocks; Ana Davila 2 kills, 1 block; Kaitlyn Martin 3 aces, 4 blocks; Gaby Torres 23 assists, 4 aces; Ashley Garza 10 assists, 1 ace; Juliet Treviño 1 ace, 10 digs

Mission Veterans (0-1): Not provided

Mission High def. Juarez-Lincoln 25-7, 25-8, 25-8

Mission (1-0): Kayla Alaniz 7 kills; Vanessa Espinosa 3 kills, 2 aces; Joslyn Rodrigues 3 kills, 3 aces, 8 assists; Justice Cardenas 3 aces, 7 assists

Juarez-Lincoln (0-1): Not provided

Palmview def. Edcouch-Elsa 25-16, 25-12, 25-12

Palmview (1-0): Miley Zeiske 10 kills, 1 assist, 1 block; Kylie Cantu 7 kills; Alexia Arevalo 12 assists, 4 aces; Jessica Arevalo 10 digs, 5 assists

Edcouch-Elsa (0-1): Not provided

PSJA High def. Los Fresnos 25-17, 25-15, 25-12

PSJA High (1-0): Johanna Montelongo 13 kills, 7 digs, 2 aces, 1 block; Mia Dominguez 9 kills, 5 digs, 1 ace, 1 block; Julianna Guajardo 13 kills, 7 digs, 2 blocks; Karina Lucio 2 kills, 4 blocks; Alexa Carranza 22 digs, 2 assists, 5 aces; Victoria Gonzalez 19 assists, 6 digs, 4 aces

Los Fresnos: Not provided

PSJA High def. Harlingen South 25-18, 25-1, 25-13

PSJA High (2-0): Johanna Montelongo 13 kills, 6 aces; Mia Dominguez 8 kills; Karina Lucio 5 kills, 2 blocks; Julianna Guajardo 5 kills, 7 digs; Kamila Figueroa 3 kills, 2 digs; Alexa Carranza 17 digs, 5 assists, 2 aces; Lexci Reyes 5 digs, 1 ace; Victoria Gonzalez 19 assists, 6 digs, 4 aces; Leahnna Reyes 2 digs

Harlingen South: Not provided

Roma def. St. Joseph Academy 25-17, 25-23, 25-15

SJA (0-1): Deliany Cortinas 15 kills, 9 digs, 2 assists; Katie Najera 12 assists, 3 digs; Eva Frady 3 kills, 8 assists, 3 digs; Seanah Mireles 4 kills, 4 digs; Valeria Puig 2 kills, 2 digs

Roma: Madelyn Garcia 11 kills, 4 aces, 8 digs, 2 assists; Elaiza Martinez 8 kills, 9 blocks, 3 digs; Paula Barba 5 kills, 10 digs; Ceci Benitez 6 kills, 5 digs; Jaiela Garza 26 assists, 5 digs, 2 aces; Nayleth Moreno 9 digs

Sharyland High def. Laredo United 25-20, 25-20, 25-18

Sharyland (1-0): Kenisha Martinez 19 Kills, 8 digs, 4 aces, 3 blocks; Ashlyn Garcia 9 kills 2 blocks; Claire Cantu 5 Kills, 1 block; Pamela Peña 7 kills, 2 aces; Kaitlin Rodriguez 16 assist, Kassandra De La Garza 13 assist; Ava Garza 11 Digs; Faith Arevalo with 9 digs

Laredo United (0-1): Not provided

Weslaco East def. PSJA North 25-18, 25-21, 23-24, 16-25, 15-7

Weslaco East (1-0): Aleydi Lopez 2 aces, 5 assists; Micaela Peralez 8 kills, 9 digs; America Valdez 3 aces, 11 digs; Alyna Espinoza 5 digs, 2 kills

PSJA North (0-1): Sadie Garcia 8 kills; Sydney Muñoz 9 aces