The season of firsts continues for the Pharr Vanguard volleyball team.
The Spartans play in the UIL Class 3A area round at 6:30 tonight against Santa Gertrudis Academy at Falfurrias High School. Vanguard defeated Brownsville Riviera in the bi-district round, capturing a 25-21, 25-17, 25-17 sweep.
It was the first playoff victory in school history for Vanguard, which claimed its first district championship this season, in just its third year of UIL competition.
“There was a lot of excitement for that playoff match,” head coach David Guzman said. “We were finally allowed to have fans there and it was a different atmosphere. I reminded the girls that they had played in this atmosphere before, just not this year.”
Sophomore Chloe De La Rosa had a breakout game, recording three kills to go with four aces, 20 service points and 22 digs — all team highs.
“We got off a great start, leading 4-0 but then had an error and they started building a lead against us,” Guzman said.
Riviera led 19-14 before Guzman took a timeout to not only get his team to regroup but to also ice the Riviera squad. The timeout was effective on both fronts.
“They were a great team but our back row was on fire, especially after we won that first set,” Guzman said. “They were digging everything and the passes were on target. When the passes are on target if helps the sets be on target and then we can attack more.”
The Spartans snuck into the playoffs last year, winning the final regular-season match to clinch the fourth seed before being eliminated in the first round. This time, however, Guzman said the senior-heavy squad is showing what they gained from last year’s experience.
“The goal is to come out and do what we’ve done all season,” he said. “We’re just building a program and to come out and win the district title and then winning the bi-district round is a thrilling thing to accomplish. The girls, especially the seniors, know that it’s now or never.”
Lyford and North Mission also advanced from District 31-3A. Perennial 3A power Brownsville Jubilee was the only team which defeated a 31-3A team. Jubilee plays today against Orange Grove, also in Falfurrias. The winner of that match will play the winner of Vanguard and Santa Gertrudis. Time, date and site will be determined after both matches have been completed.
“We played Jubilee last year when we were in the same district,” Guzman said. “They are a powerhouse. Both of those teams are powerhouses. But it would be a great thing to have two of our Valley teams playing in the Sweet 16.
“First, we have to take care of what we need to take care of. They (Santa Gertrudis) are a very good team but we have faced that good caliber of a team before. It comes down to who is going to want it more.”