NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
Class 5A bi-district
Mission Veterans def. Brownsville Lopez 25-15, 25-9, 25-18: At Mission,
The Patriots gave their crowd a show Tuesday as they swept the visiting Lobos in dominant fashion.
“We got the opportunity it was a home crowd so of course the girls were excited about that,” Veterans coach Diana Lerma said. “It was a new beginning for us because we got knocked down by McAllen Memorial (in Saturday’s playoff tune-up match) but I think that was a good loss allowing us to understand that you can’t let your shield down.”
The usual suspects Jackie Howell and Makenzie Gerlach were on their game with 12 kills each. The third member of the Patriots offensive trio Kassy Lerma had the team lead with 15 kills.
“They always key on Jack and Mak and that’s how on the power side. Like I told my setter as we go to the playoffs the attack has to come off the middle. Either we move Jack or Mak to the middle or Kassandra has to come through. She did very well today so she displayed good consistency.”
Mission Veterans almost had their schedule in place with Tuloso-Midway but since TM fell to Victoria West the date and time of their area match is up in the air.
Area matches can be scheduled any day from Thursday through Saturday and coach Lerma is hoping her team won’t be too concerned with how that will affect their homecoming plans.
“Victoria West wants–tomorrow we’re going to flip–of course they want Friday at 6 o’clock, they know that’s our homecoming,” Lerma said. “Usually volleyball players are up there (in homecoming festivities). You know they have to think of what’s important and how they’re going to be remembered for life. That’s why we have to flip tomorrow to see what’s in the best interest of our mental game.”
Class 5A bi-district
Donna High def. Sharyland High 25-19, 15-25, 25-14, 25-16: At Pharr
Two teams from strong districts went head-to-head at PSJA Southwest. Donna High, the third team out of 32-5A knocked off Sharyland High, District 31-5A’s second seed.
“The team played really well today,” Cindy Viesca said. “The girls stepped up today offensively. I know (Sharyland) had some pretty good hitters and our defense also played well. Nicole Rodriguez is our middle blocker and she had a really good game today.”
“Our district was pretty competitive this year with Edcouch and Brownsville Veterans and that really helped us prepare for this district round,” Viesca said.
Donna draws Corpus Christi Vets in the area round.
“The next challenge, of course, is going to be a little bit harder,” “We know that Corpus Christi Veterans is a higher intensity, higher tempo type of game. We need to get ready for them in the next couple of days. I always tell the kids this is the best time of the year, being in the playoffs.”
Donna and the Corpus Veterans Memorial Eagles will face off at 6 p.m. Friday at Kingsville High School.
Class 6A bi-district
McAllen Memorial def. Laredo United South 25-10, 25-21, 25-19: At Roma,
The District 30-6A champions McAllen Memorial didn’t disappoint on a neutral court Tuesday night to start the postseason. The Mustangs cruised to a first-set win which was essential to taking their opponents out of the match early according to coach Lorena Lopez.
“That was the goal to kind of stay in control of the match the whole time,” Lopez said. “I think the team has been playing pretty consistently as of late.”
United South’s support traveled well to Starr County according to the veteran coach but Memorial handled any threats.
“Honestly the first we controlled the match pretty much,” Lopez said. “They did have a huge crowd and I know a lot of that fanfare kind of played a factor in the next two sets. But we talked about and I said “The crowd doesn’t win the game, you do. So take care of business.”
McAllen Memorial will face Brownsville Rivera in the area round of the postseason. The Raiders are fresh off a Monday upset of No. 1 seed and co-district champions Edinburg North.
Class 6A bi-district
McAllen High def. Laredo LBJ 18-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-9: At Roma,
McAllen High dropped the first set but never looked back as they eliminated Laredo LBJ in four sets.
Junior Lexi Gonzalez led the way with 23 kills while freshman Celina Saenz pitched in 12 kills and three blocks.
Senior Damaris Llanas had 10 kills, 8 digs and pair of aces to help lift the Bulldogs. Madison Helmcamp had 42 assists
McHi will face Harlingen South in the area round. The Hawks knocked off 31-6A No. 1 Edinburg High Tuesday evening.
Class 6A bi-district
Laredo Alexander def. PSJA North 25-10, 25-16, 25-21: At Corpus,
The Raiders season came to an end at the hands of a powerful Laredo United unit. Alexander will continue with Valley opposition in area when they face Brownsville Hanna. The Golden Eagles prevailed over Edinburg Vela in five sets.