NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — The Poundfest Tournament ended in an exciting all-McAllen duel that should be a precursor to the rest of the RGV volleyball season. And no, this is not a recording from previous years.
This time around, McAllen Memorial edged McAllen High after the gold bracket finale went the distance. After plenty of tense moments in the final two games, Jocelynn Everage put home championship point for the Mustangs’ 25-20, 23-25, 15-12 victory on Saturday.
Last year’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year Sydney Marburger said that staying calm when the action was heated or the gym was going crazy with cheers was essential.
“We knew we have to stay focused and stay composed in those really important moments. Being confident is a big thing,” Marburger, a junior, said. “Just confidence to put the game away.”
The game was put away by the aforementioned Everage with help from the Mustangs’ setting. That’s where Marburger shined as a sophomore. Now, she splits those duties with fellow junior Mia Perez.
Marburger finished with 19 assists, and Perez added 11.
“What makes it possible is the passes. We have great defensive players who are able to give us great servicing passes and digs. That is why we’re able to set it in the right spot consistently,” Marburger said. “It does help that Mia’s setting with me, because we’re able to have those three hitters in the front every time. A lot more options of people able to put the ball away.”
Perez echoed those sentiments and explained in detail why the current configuration gives the Mustangs freedom.
“Running a 6-2 is super helpful, because me and Sydney aren’t the tallest players, so when we’re in the front row, our right-side block is against their best outside hitter,” Perez said. “When we have three tall capable hitters, we have three options. We can go outside, middle or right side all the same hitting capability. We have so many more options to score.”
Everage and Valeria Trevino were strong at what they do best. They recorded identical totals with 12 kills and 10 digs. The only difference in their championship stat line was blocks — Trevino had three to Everage’s one. They were named co-tournament MVPs.
The match was no cakewalk. Lexi Gonzalez and Damaris Llanes were the Bulldogs’ top offensive contributors. Gonzalez hit home 14 kills and two aces, while Llanes added nine kills and seven digs.
The championship was the 12th match for the finalists of the three-day, 24-team tournament.
“It’s tough, but our training has really helped,” Marburger said. “In this third set, we knew winning is what we’re here for, so we knew we had to pull through. No matter how tired we were.”
Memorial coach Lorena Lopez said her team easily gets up for these matches.
“The great thing about playing these McAllen vs. McAllen games is that it’s a playoff feeling. There’s a lot on the line,” Lopez said. “It’s a great thing to get our teams before we hit district.”
Memorial swept McAllen Rowe in the semifinals to advance to face the hosts, who had knocked off Los Fresnos in the other semifinal.
“We look forward to any time the McAllen schools play each other,” McHi coach Paula Dodge said. “It’s always a lot of fun, and anything can happen, and you have to play top ball. A lot of it is the girls themselves. They’re just ready to play each other.”