By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Could things possibly get even better for the Los Fresnos volleyball team after its standout showing of one season ago?
Lady Falcons coach Becky Woods seems to think so.
“This team could rank right up there (as one of our best),” the veteran coach said of 31 seasons at Los Fresnos with 566 victories to her credit.
That’s quite a statement considering all the great teams the Lady Falcons have produced, especially in recent years.
Just last season the Lady Falcons went 37-11, shared the District 32-6A title with Brownsville Veterans Memorial and advanced four rounds in the playoffs to reach the regional tournament for the second time in four years.
Woods is a firm believer that teams desiring to accomplish extraordinary things must first set high goals, and she’s pretty excited about the potential of her latest group, which includes five returning starters. Four other players with varsity experience also are back.
“I am amazed by this group,” Woods said. “It’s a group that worked so hard in the offseason, and it’s so talented offensively, defensively and with its togetherness. These girls are just amazing, and we want to take that next step (by winning at the regional tournament).
“There are no attitude problems,” Woods added. “They all get along and they’re very close.”
The returning starters include middle blocker Joseline Caraveo (sr., 5-foot-11), middle blocker/outside hitter Sam Ibarra (sr., 6-0), setter Miranda Gonzales (sr., 5-9), outside hitter Jackie Kingsbury (jr., 5-9) and setter Giselle Ibarra (soph., 5-8).
Caraveo was the overall MVP in 32-6A last season.
Returnees with varsity experience include Eliza Ramirez, a senior defensive specialist/libero; Cassie Parra, a junior outside hitter; Alexis Cuello, a senior defensive specialist; and Jianna Calvillo, a junior outside hitter. A newcomer who figures to play a key role is freshman defensive specialist Isis Delgado.
“The Valley’s top teams all have just about everyone back,” Woods said. “That includes Mission Veterans (Memorial), McAllen High, McAllen Rowe and McAllen Memorial, and I believe we’re in there, too, (as one of those top teams). It’s going to be another great season in the Valley.”
Here is a team-by-team look at the other volleyball squads in The Brownsville Herald’s Metro area:
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL LADY CHARGERS
The Lady Chargers came oh so close to reaching the regional tournament for the first time last season. They dropped a five-game match to McAllen High during the third round of the playoffs after sharing the district championship with Los Fresnos for the second straight year. The Lady Chargers finished with a 34-12 record.
Despite the fact that a couple of key players from last year have graduated, including All-Valley performer Mariza Cardenas, Lady Chargers coach Lisa Mares said her team is aiming for another playoff season with three starters back in Sarah Sandoval, Megan Sanchez and Krista Lopez, and three other lettermen returning.
“Even though we lost some talented players, I think the girls are motivated a lot,” Mares said. “They want to do well and have the same results or better than before. It’s exciting (to be starting another season).”
HANNA LADY GOLDEN EAGLES
Ansgar Hagemann is beginning his sixth year as coach at Hanna and believes this could be his best team.
The Lady Eagles are coming off a playoff season and boast nine players with varsity experience, including some tall girls who have proven they can hold their own at the net.
Those front-line players include Pamela Ellis, Flora Herrera, Alexa Herrera and Sausha Rae Brown. Ellis and Flora Herrera are senior middle blockers who are in the 5-10 range.
The other two are about as tall. They are Alexa Herrera, a junior 5-8 right-side hitter, and Brown, a senior 5-9 left-side hitter.
Three other players returning with varsity experience are senior defensive specialists Julie Soto, Jennifer Guerrero and Yelitza Barrientos.
Also returning are Bianca Olivares and Giana Muniz, both senior setters.
Another player who figures to contribute is Lauren Webb, a junior outside hitter.
“I think we have a good team,” Hagemann said. “We’re going to try to push for the district title. We know our district (32-6A) is going to be very competitive. This year, we have the tools to do well.”
Another player who could possibly help out is 5-10 junior hitter Halle Penrod. She is trying to come back from an injury and probably won’t be available until later in the season if she can recuperate and gain clearance to play.
RIVERA LADY RAIDERS
Injuries were the main reason Rivera slipped to an uncharacteristic seventh-place finish in 32-6A last season after a trip to the regional tournament in 2013.
There’s a group of five returning starters and four other lettermen back to help the Lady Raiders bounce back.
“I think we’re going to surprise some people,” said Rivera coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra, who is beginning her 23rd season directing the team.
The returning starters include twin sisters Jenny and Darcy Cardenas, a pair of senior defensive specialists. Jenny also plays libero.
Other returning starters, all seniors, are outside hitter Michelle Morales, middle blocker/outside hitter Ulyssa Alvarado and middle blocker Karen Montellano.
Additional players back with varsity experience are junior setter Lilian Vera, sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Litzy Medina, sophomore outside hitter Stephanie Garza and senior setter/all-around Gisel Hinojosa. A freshman who could contribute is setter Kourtney Shears.
Senior outside hitter Kassandra Garcia suffered an ACL injury last school year and possibly could contribute at some point as well.
LOPEZ LADY LOBOS
Jackie Touchet begins her third season as Lopez’s coach, with Anna Morales, Gracie Villafranca and Nayeli Perez as her returnees.
The Lady Lobos are trying to get back to the playoffs out of 32-6A after missing out on the postseason one year ago. They advanced to the playoffs in 2013 during Touchet’s first season as coach.
““We are looking forward to this season,” Touchet said. “We are a young and driven team with a lot of talent to contribute. The work ethic and focus of this group, along with their unity, is going to help us achieve our goals this season.”
PACE LADY VIKINGS
Gavin Rudder is starting his third season of guiding the Lady Vikings, who play in District 32-5A along with Porter.
“We’re all finally on the same page,” said Rudder, who opened season workouts with a “Midnight Madness” practice at 12:01 a.m. last Monday. “I understand the players better, and they understand me better and how I like to run the program.
“This group is definitely more athletic, and they’re ready,” Rudder added. “They want it. They’ve come out to work.”
The goal for the six players returning with varsity experience and everyone else is to qualify for the playoffs.
Those six are senior setter Jessica Aguilar, senior middle blocker Valeria Varela, senior outside hitter Liana Trevino, senior right-side hitter Sarah Mendoza, junior libero Ebony Casanova and junior setter Summer Bohn.
Another player who figures to contribute is Ashley Gutierrez, a senior outside hitter.
“Donna (High) and Edcouch-Elsa are usually the favorites in our district along with Mercedes and PSJA High,” Rudder said. “I feel like we can be right in there with them. Porter is our main rival.”
PORTER COWGIRLS
Just like Pace, the Cowgirls are blessed with a solid group of players coming back, including six who started last season for Laura Fortner, now entering her third season as the team’s coach.
“I’m excited because I’ve had a majority of these girls since they were freshmen,” Fortner said. “I feel the (varsity) experience is there. It’s just a matter of it showing up on the day of the match.”
The six starters back are senior middle blocker Karla Sosa, junior middle blocker Andrea Villanueva, senior outside hitter Danielle Sanchez, senior setter Marquel Rivera, senior libero Karen Garcia and senior outside hitter Krista Quiroz. Sosa is a 5-10 all-district performer from last season.
Other players who could make an impact are senior outside hitters Kassandra Reyes and Brittny Garza along with senior setter Alessandra Gonzalez.
A newcomer who shows promise is Allysa Vega, a sophomore defensive specialist.
PORT ISABEL LADY TARPONS
Third-year Lady Tarpons coach Julie Breedlove welcomes the return of four starters along with two other lettermen as a new season unfolds for Port Isabel in District 32-4A.
The Lady Tarpons shared the district title with La Feria and Zapata last season and advanced two rounds in the playoffs.
The four returning starters are sophomore middle blocker Simone Harry, senior setter Larissa Torres, senior middle blocker Karina Vela and senior libero Alex Martinez.
Also back with varsity experience are senior defensive specialists Natalie Salinas and Natasha Ramirez.
A new addition to the team who could become a reliable contributor is Amaya Lampkin, a 5-10 senior middle blocker.
Breedlove is pleased with the progress of her squad at this stage of the season.
“Our back row is passing the ball really well, and that’s going to help us a lot with the offense we run,” the Lady Tarpons coach said. “The passes are on target, and I like that. I also like that our front row is already hitting the ball pretty strong.
“I feel we can be one of the top three teams in our district again,” she added.
FRONTIER IDEA LADY CHARGERS
Cassie Hinojosa begins her first season as the IDEA coach. She is a 2008 Hanna graduate who lettered playing volleyball at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.
“I’m super excited to get this opportunity and to show these ladies what I know and help them improve,” Hinojosa said. “Right now, I’m feeding off them and seeing what they can do as far as basic skills and conditioning.
“I think the potential is there for them to win more, be successful and get to the playoffs (in District 32-3A),” Hinojosa added.
Two returnees the new coach is counting upon to spark the team are senior outside hitter Macheala Elbert and senior all-around player Shanelle Flores.
Hinojosa said she has a promising group of six or so underclassmen who could contribute to the team.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess
Top 10
1. Mission Veterans
2. McAllen High
3. Los Fresnos
4. McAllen Rowe
5. McAllen Memorial
6. Donna High
7. Edinburg North
8. Sharyland Pioneer
9. Edinburg Vela
10. Brownsville Hanna
Metro Top Five
1. Los Fresnos
2. Hanna
3. Brownsville Veterans Memorial
4. Rivera
5. Pace
Five Metro-area players to watch
Joseline Caraveo, middle blocker, Los Fresnos
Pamela Ellis, middle blocker, Hanna
Alex Martinez, libero, Port Isabel
Karla Sosa, middle blocker, Porter
Valeria Varela, middle blocker, Pace