By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
Since its inception in 2010, Brownsville Veterans Memorial has not sent a volleyball team to the regional quarterfinal. That drought will come to an end when the Lady Chargers take on the McAllen High Lady Bulldogs at 6:30 tonight at Sharyland Pioneer.
Brownsville Veterans is coming off a four-game victory over Laredo United on Saturday in the bi-district round.
“We were all really excited (after the win),” coach Lisa Mares said. “I kept telling (the team) that they could make history.”
The Lady Chargers and Lady Bulldogs have a history of their own. Last year, McAllen High handed Brownsville Veterans a loss in the bi-district round of the playoffs. The loss sent the then-District 32-5A co-champion Lady Chargers — a team poised to make a run —home earlier than they expected.
This year, Brownsville Veterans beat the Lady Bulldogs in a non-district contest, so tonight’s meeting will be a de facto tiebreaker, and Mares thinks it should be an even match.
“They’re a good team,” she said. “Our offenses are a lot alike. I think it will come down to who plays the best defense and who doesn’t get down on themselves if they get behind.”
McAllen High is coming off a sweep of Edinburg High on Friday, which means they will be slightly better rested than the Lady Chargers.
“I am concerned (with the short layoff),” Mares said. “I told the girls to get plenty of rest and practice in your head.”
Lady Falcons eyeing rematch
Los Fresnos Lady Falcons coach Becky Woods was delighted to hear that her team would be playing the McAllen Rowe Lady Warriors in the regional quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harlingen South.
“I was excited,” Woods said, “and my kids were excited. I think we can win if everyone does their job and communicates.
“(McAllen Rowe) is always a very good team. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.”
The Lady Warriors are the team that prevented Los Fresnos from reaching the elusive Sweet 16 last season. With one more win, the Lady Falcons will achieve their goal of making it to the regional semifinal.
The Lady Falcons advanced past the McAllen Memorial Lady Mustangs on Thursday night to earn a chance at revenge. Woods expects the extended time off and a match close to home to help her team.
“I think it helps us,” she said. “We practiced for a couple hours Saturday.
“And it helps that we’ve got a neutral site only a few miles away. I expect the community and student support to be there.”
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.