MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Going from a nine-team district to one with seven teams stretched the non-district schedule by an additional two weeks. And while McAllen Memorial coach Lorena Lopez appreciates the extended time to get ready for district, her Lady Mustangs are anxious to square off against La Joya High at noon Saturday.
“If anything, we’re antsy to start,” Lopez said. “The girls and myself are ready for district.”
At 20-5, one could hardly tell that McAllen Memorial, ranked No. 6 in this week’s RGVSports.com top 10 poll, is going through a rebuilding year. But that’s the strength of the Lady Mustangs’ program, which had 106 players tryout for the team.
Memorial, which boasts 13 players, graduated seven from a team that was knocked out of the opening round of the playoffs.
“So, basically we’re a completely new team,” Lopez said.
Lopez, who’s led the program the past seven years, isn’t too concerned. Her team’s boasted one of the better records in the Valley playing a competitive non-district schedule. The Lady Mustangs will go through some growing pains, no doubt. But Lopez is confident they can surge ahead behind the play of their setters, seniors Taylor Marburger and Allie Nitsch.
The goal remains the same for Memorial, which has not won a district title in three years.
“I think the girls are extra motivated just because it’s been a while,” Lopez said. “They feel it. They know. It’s time to get to the top again.”
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
On Wednesday, No. 9 Sharyland Pioneer (19-8) settled into its home court, just in time for the start of district.
From Aug. 4 through Aug. 25, the first-year program traveled to Sharyland North Junior High to practice. After that, the Diamondbacks practiced at Sharyland High. Finally, Pioneer’s home gymnasium was completed, in time to play host to Valley View at noon Saturday.
“It was overwhelming for me” on the first day practicing at the new gym, Pioneer coach Laura Cavazos said. “This is something that I’ve wanted since the beginning of August. So it was a huge stepping stone being there. We’ve looking to build some new traditions and new rituals. So it feels pretty good being there. Easier, for sure.”
Cavazos said her team felt relieved having the gym completed, saving the team time from traveling each day for practice.
“Even me coaching, I feel more at ease,” she said. “There’s more of a routine. It’s just a little bit easier not having to do that extra travel to get up there. I’ve been of the mentality that we’re not going to use that (not having a home court to start non-district) as an excuse. It’s not a setback. We’re not going to use it as a crutch. We still have a court to play. Even if we’re practicing outside, we’re still going to have a good practice.”
COMING TOGETHER
At 24-4, No. 4 McAllen High has received balanced effort, especially from some of its younger players. Julia Monday, a sophomore outside hitter, has paced the team with her strong attacks. Middle blocker Sydney Pemelton, also a sophomore, has been steady up front, recording 12 blocks in a recent match. And Julissa Villarreal, a defensive specialist, has done well in the back row. She’s expected to log time at libero throughout district.
Then there’s juniors like setter Dominique Peña and middle blocker Hannah Bishop who have been provided a boost with their experience, minimizing errors.
“We’re lucky that we’ve got some young girls that are strong players and some older players that are very smart,” Dodge said. “We have some consistent players that are helping with that growth and hopefully we just keep getting better to strike at the right time.”
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RGVSPORTS.COM VOLLEYBALL TOP 10 RANKING
1, Los Fresnos (20-9)
2, Mission Veterans (19-6)
3, McAllen Rowe (25-3)
4, McAllen High (24-4)
5, Roma (21-5)
6, McAllen Memorial (20-5)
7, Donna High (21-8)
8, Edinburg High (18-7)
9, Sharyland Pioneer (19-8)
10, Brownsville Veterans (18-9)