There’s still work to be done for some schools before the UIL state volleyball tournament begins Monday for all classes across Texas.
That work mostly consists of breaking regular-season ties.
Edinburg High and Edinburg North are among the teams that will face each other for the third time this season to decide who earns second place, and plays District 32-6A’s third-place team, Brownsville Rivera, and who ends up in third and plays state-ranked Los Fresnos, which finished second in 32-6A, falling to district champ Harlingen High during the final day of the scheduled regular season.
“Everybody wants the highest seed possible, but once you get to the playoffs you never know. A lower seed can beat a higher seed,” Edinburg North coach Raul McCallum said. “Sometimes in the past, some kids might be comfortable because they are just making the playoffs, but these guys are hungry.
“As soon as I asked them what they wanted to do — flip for seeding or play — they said we want to play. At his level, in the playoffs, everything is different, even for a seeding game.”
District 31-5A’s playoff teams are set. Sharyland High finished district with a four-set in over Sharyland Pioneer on Tuesday and won the title with a 17-1 record, one game ahead of McAllen Memorial at 16-2. The two teams split their head-to-head matches.
Sharyland will host District 32-5A’s No. 4 team Brownsville Lopez at 7 p.m. Tuesday, while McAllen Memorial and Edcouch-Elsa meet for the second straight year at a place and time to be determined. Meanwhile, Sharyland Pioneer will also play at home at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Brownsville Pace. Brownsville Veterans, the District 32-5A champ, will also travel to face the No. 4 seed of District 31-5A, McAllen Rowe at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
District 31-5A has swept District 32-5A in each of the past two years during bi-district play.
In District 30-5A, Roma and Laredo Nixon tied for third and will play their match for seeding at 11 a.m. Saturday at Roma. This is the second straight year the Gladiators are in the postseason after “being off for a while,” according to head coach Angie Garcia.
“This is always a great feat for the girls; it shows the work they’ve put in,” said Garcia, who has been at the helm since 2006. “Ever since the offseason, I would tell them this is where you put the work in to see where you end up.
“This is going to be an even match and it comes down to who is going to be more mentally tough and can restart after every game, whether it goes three, four or five sets, you have to restart. Physically, we know we’re ready. Now it’s about showing up and being tough.”
Roma and Nixon split the regular season matchups with each team winning at home.
Another position matchup takes place at 4 p.m. Friday as La Feria treks to Grulla to determined third and fourth place.