By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
With the Fall 2014 sports now well underway, two athletes were on point and led their teams to two impressive early season wins.
For their efforts this week, Lyford Lady Bulldog senior volleyball player Miranda Ramirez and San Benito Greyhound senior running back Gabriel Vasquez were named the Valley Morning Star Players of the Week.
For Vasquez, his Friday night performance at home against Edinburg was not only a fine individual performance, but it began the Dan Gomez era off on the winning foot.
Vasquez carried the football eight times for 154 yards and visited the end zone on four of those carries on runs of 67, 16, 40 and three yards en route to a decisive 53-7 Week One victory over the Edinburg Bobcats at Bobby Morrow Stadium.
He even added a reception out of the backfield for 15 yards.
Vasquez’s speed and scoring may have helped the ‘Hounds win on the field Friday, but Coach Gomez believes his attitude is what really makes him go.
“[Vasquez] is an athlete who comes to work with his hard hat every day,” Gomez said. He brings a lot of work ethic to our team.”
On the other side, Ramirez was a force for the Lady Bulldogs as they ousted the Progresso Lady Red Ants in straight sets.
Ramirez, who is a third-year varsity volleyball player, recorded nine kills, seven digs and a pair of aces.
Lyford head volleyball coach Jennifer Soto, Ramirez has become one of the team’s go-to players who can do it all on the court.
“She has been a dominant player for our team. She’s a great all around player,” Soto said. She can serve, she’s great on serve-receive, she has a great block, a great hit, so she’s one of the main forces of our team.”
Soto Moved Ramirez from the back row to the front to add more defensive punch to her squad and has not missed a beat in the process.
“She’s done phenomenal. Last year she didn’t play defense at all and this year she’s just adjusted so well. We also needed a blocker since ours graduated last year and she has done well there, too,” Soto said. “She’s very fun to coach because she is willing to learn and practice; she’s committed to getting better.”