By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
The four teams that advanced to the playoffs last year in District 32-6A volleyball are paired in conference openers Saturday to highlight the 32-6A schedule.
In those matches, it’s Los Fresnos at San Benito at 2 p.m. and Hanna at Rivera at 3 p.m. In other conference openers Saturday, it’s Harlingen South at Harlingen High at noon and Weslaco East at Weslaco High at 2 p.m.
Normally, 32-6A matches on Saturday start at noon, but this week, due to student testing on that day, the contests are beginning a few hours later for a majority of the squads.
Los Fresnos enters the new 32-6A season as the winner of four straight district titles. Capturing a fifth consecutive crown in 2017 would mark a first for the Lady Falcons at their school.
“Yes, we are excited,” Los Fresnos coach Becky Woods said when asked if she was glad to see district starting after a month of non-district action and tournaments.
The Lady Falcons went 14-0 in 32-6A a year ago. It was their second straight season to go undefeated in 32-6A.
Still, at this point, it doesn’t appear very likely that anyone will go through conference play with an unbeaten record this time as this could be quite a year of parity in 32-6A.
“I feel that we’re in a tough district,” said Weslaco High coach Axle Valle after her team won at Pace 25-18, 25-16, 25-21 on Tuesday to complete non-district play. “It depends on which team shows up to play on a particular day. I am both excited and nervous. You’ve got teams like Harlingen High that look like a totally different (improved) team right now. District-wide, it’s going to be very tough.”
The teams in 32-6A appear to be going into district with plenty of optimism for what is ahead.
“I’m just real proud of my team,” said Stephanie Garza, a senior team captain for Rivera. “We’re coming back strong (to district). We’ve had some bounces (diversions) in the road along the way (so far), but we’re coming together.”
Rivera’s Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra captured her 500th career coaching victory at home last Friday as the Lady Raiders won 25-17, 25-12, 25-12 against Edinburg High. Her victory total increased to 501 on Tuesday as the Lady Raiders triumphed 25-22, 25-10, 25-15 at Mercedes to complete their non-district schedule.
DISTRICT 32-5A
Brownsville’s four 32-5A schools are paired against each other as conference action begins in that district on Saturday as well.
With both matches starting at 4 p.m., it’s Pace at Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Lopez at Porter.
Brownsville Veterans is the defending 32-5A champion. The Lady Chargers took the district title with a 14-0 record last season.
The Lady Chargers tuned up for Saturday’s 32-5A opener with a 25-19, 25-11, 25-12 non-district road win at PSJA High on Tuesday.
Brownsville Veterans has been missing some key players due to injury so far this season, but they’re coming back and that’s helping the squad return to full strength as it defends the 32-5A crown.
“Tuesday (against PSJA High) was actually the first match I had everyone, and we tried a new lineup,” Lady Chargers coach Lisa Mares said. “It’s a good thing that it seems to work, so hopefully we can continue improving.”
In other 32-5A openers Saturday, it’s Mercedes at Donna High at 1 p.m. and Edcouch-Elsa at Donna North at 4 p.m.
TOUGH START
Port Isabel began District 32-4A action Tuesday on the road against Raymondville and suffered a close, five-set defeat — 25-27, 25-22, 18-25, 25-18, 15-7.
The Lady Tarpons went through a rare season of not making the playoffs a year ago. They’re determined to reverse that trend in 2017. With players at the net such as middle blockers Olivia Soliz and Jane Christiansen, the Lady Tarpons figure to have a strong chance in their district. Those two middle blockers were quite active up front against Raymondville, the runner-up in 32-4A last season.
The Lady Tarpons continue their 32-4A schedule at home at 2 p.m. Saturday against Grulla.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess