BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
Before every Edinburg High match, coach Deanna Dominguez pulls Elizabeth Olivarez aside to remind her of her role. As the Bobcats cycle other players in and out of the lineup, Olivarez is counted on to always be the defensive leader at libero.
“She’s the constant,” Dominguez said. “She has to direct traffic. She has to be a communicator. That’s a definite role that she embraces for us.”
The position wasn’t always natural to Olivarez, who Dominguez said was quiet and “almost meek” as a setter two years ago. Dominguez recalled Olivarez being apprehensive about the move to libero last year, but added that she’s since come to love the position.
“The last three years, I’ve seen her grow into a confident young lady,” Dominguez said. “She’s more assertive.”
Olivarez has been a major factor defensively, and she’s involved in every serve receive for the Bobcats.
Even when a miscommunication leaves Olivarez with an enormous area to cover, she doesn’t back down from the challenge, Dominguez said.
“She is one kid that will really make a hole in the floor before she lets that ball fall,” Dominguez said.
Defense and serve receive have been the biggest strengths for the Bobcats as a team, too. As the first half of district play nears its close, Edinburg High is one of three one-loss teams, along with PSJA Memorial and Edinburg North.
“I just think it’s up for grabs,” Dominguez said. “It’s going to come down to who wants it the most and who has prepared.”
ENDURANCE TEST
Just hours after running a 21:44.7 to finish fifth in the varsity race at the cross country Meet of Champions, Edinburg Vela freshman Dylann Guerra was back on the court with the volleyball team. In a crucial match against Sharyland Pioneer, Guerra notched a game-high 19 digs to help Vela earn a 3-1 win.
Saturdays like that Sept. 19 have been the norm for Guerra this season. The freshman has managed to balance cross country with volleyball, leading the SaberCats in digs and aces.
“She does a lot, and she’s got very good endurance,” coach Araceli Ortega said. “I think it’s kind of showing the type of work ethic for such a young kid to display. It’s been a big stride for us.”
Ortega said Guerra is almost constantly in the gym, following the footsteps of her older sister, who also played for Vela.
Guerra has been a stout defensive presence thanks to her speed, reactions and understanding of the game, Ortega said. The freshman has also been an effective jump server, one who is working to add different tempos.
“She’s just a good little volleyball player,” Ortega said. “She’s pretty well rounded. She’s put the time in to get better, and I think that’s what’s helping her right now.”
Jaida Muhammad, Chery Chavez and Nicole Avelar have also racked up digs for the SaberCats whenever the ball gets past the imposing block of Bianca Cortez and Nicole Castaneda. Offensively, Vela has leaned on Muhammad and Avelar for kills, with Julissa Cuellar doing most of the setting.
BATTLE FOR McALLEN
As the first half of District 30-6A play draws to a close, McAllen Memorial has established itself as the team to beat, having already earned wins over rivals McHi and McAllen Rowe.
Rowe sits in second after a win over McAllen High, completing an early reversal of last season’s standings. In 2014, McHi finished first, with Rowe second and Memorial third.
Memorial coach Lorena Lopez attributed the start to her team coming together with a mix of older and younger players.
“The fact that they’ve been able to mesh and learn from each other and respect each other has been huge,” Lopez said.
In preparation for the second half of district, Lopez has been analyzing film to figure out how Memorial is losing points and which rotations are working best.
Rowe and Memorial will meet again Oct. 9. McHi plays Rowe on Oct. 13, then faces Memorial on Oct. 20.
“The focus has shifted in my mind to, ‘Let’s strengthen where we’re weak,’” Lopez said. “Why work on what you’re strong at? Strengthen what you’re weak at. And that’s what we’re doing.”
RGVSPORTS.COM TOP 10
- Mission Veterans
- Los Fresnos
- McAllen Memorial
- McAllen Rowe
- McAllen High
- Brownsville Veterans
- Edcouch-Elsa
- Brownsville Hanna
- Edinburg High
- Edinburg Vela