By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Rematches are scheduled for several Metro-area volleyball teams as the UIL state playoffs begin this week.
Rivera, Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans Memorial have bi-district matches on tap today and each faces an opponent it went against earlier this season.
Hanna, Lopez and Port Isabel play their bi-district matches Tuesday, all on the road.
In the Class 6A playoffs, Rivera and Los Fresnos are playing at home at 7 p.m. today in rematches against Edinburg North and Edinburg High, respectively, while in the Class 5A playoffs, Brownsville Veterans has a rematch as well and plays at 6:30 p.m. today at Weslaco High against Sharyland High.
District 32-6A runner-up Los Fresnos defeated District 31-6A third-place Edinburg High in a tournament at McAllen Memorial back in early September.
“Whatever happened in the preseason was a long time ago,” Los Fresnos coach Becky Woods said. “We just need to show up and play our game. I’m sure both teams have improved dramatically since the beginning of the season.
“Communication will be a big factor in winning these playoff games plus the desire to want to win,” Woods added. “My girls know it’s one loss and you’re out, so let’s make the best of it.”
Rivera, the 32-6A champion, goes against an Edinburg North squad, the No. 4 playoff seed from 31-6A, that it defeated in three games in non-district action back in late August.
District 32-5A champion Brownsville Veterans lost to District 31-5A fourth-place Sharyland High in two games at the Mission Veterans Tournament in mid-August.
On Tuesday, 32-6A fourth-place Hanna plays at 31-6A champion PSJA Memorial at 7 p.m. Hanna lost to the Lady Wolverines in three games in an Upper Valley tri-match that included McAllen Rowe in early September.
Lopez, the 32-5A fourth-place team, plays at 31-5A champion Mission Veterans at 7 p.m. Tuesday, while Port Isabel, the third-place team from District 32-4A, goes against District 31-4A runner-up West Oso at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Riviera.