By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
A berth at the Region IV-6A Tournament later this week awaits the winner of Tuesday’s third-round volleyball playoff match between Los Fresnos and McAllen Memorial.
The Class 6A regional quarterfinal contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Weslaco High.
The District 32-6A champion Lady Falcons (39-8), ranked No. 2 in the Rio Grande Valley, are seeking to return to the regional tournament for the second straight year. They also advanced that far in the playoffs in 2011. The District 30-6A runner-up Lady Mustangs (34-7), ranked No. 4, have reached the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
The teams played each other twice already this season and split the matches. At the McAllen Poundfest Tournament on Aug., 15, McAllen Memorial defeated Los Fresnos 25-23, 25-27, 15-11. The Lady Falcons returned the favor Sept. 5 at the Sharyland Tournament, winning 25-27, 25-18, 25-20, 12-25, 15-11.
When asked how it feels to be facing McAllen Memorial again, Lady Falcons coach Becky Woods said, “It’s great. We’re anxious and excited. We both have very good teams.”
McAllen Memorial coach Lorena Lopez said the Lady Mustangs and Lady Falcons have faced each other a number of times in the past, particularly in the postseason.
“We have a long history of playing each other in the playoffs, so we’re very familiar with each other,” Lopez said. “I can’t even count how many times we’ve had to face each other.
“It’s always an exciting match, and it’s always fun,” Lopez added. “I think we’ve gotten used to each other and what to expect from each other’s team. But it’s all about the girls, how they come out and who wants it more. Win or lose, we’re proud of the girls and the effort that they’ve put in. Being in the third round is an accomplishment already, so best of luck to both teams.”
McAllen Memorial advanced to the regional quarterfinals with a 25-15, 25-13, 25-15 area-round triumph against Edinburg North last Friday. Los Fresnos gained its spot opposite the Lady Mustangs by prevailing against Laredo Alexander 20-25, 25-21, 25-16, 26-24 on Saturday.
After breezing past PSJA North 3-0 in bi-district, the Lady Falcons had all they could handle in getting past Laredo Alexander in four games during the area round. Losing the opening game 25-20 to the Lady Bulldogs was a bit unnerving.
“It was really good for us to come out with a strong win (against Alexander),” said Miranda Gonzales, the Lady Falcons’ senior setter. “We played sloppy in the beginning, but towards the end we really picked up our game. Alexander had a fast offense, and it really helped us (improve) with our blocking. It was a good test (to prepare us) for the next round.”
Added Sam Ibarra, Los Fresnos’ senior middle blocker, “Memorial has a good team, and they’re as talented as we are. We’re just excited to play them again, and we know it’ll be good competition. Alexander was playing tough against us. We know we have to work hard on every point and just get better with every game we play.”
According to the UIL 6A playoff bracket, the McAllen Memorial-Los Fresnos winner goes against San Antonio Reagan (43-5) or San Antonio O’Connor (33-16) at 6 p.m. Friday at the Region IV-6A Tournament in San Antonio.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.