By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
There are those occasions when a one-time player gets the better of her former coach.
It happened Tuesday in volleyball when Elizabeth Mares’ Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers prevailed over the Rivera Lady Raiders coached by Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra, now in her 27th season at her school.
The two teams played an ever-so-close, back-and-forth non-district match at Brownsville Veterans that was won by the Lady Chargers 26-24, 25-23, 15-25, 26-24.
Mares played for Avelar-Guerra before graduating from Rivera in 1999. Mares later coached as an assistant for “Coach Ave” before beginning her own head coaching career.
The Lady Chargers coach said her coaching abilities have been compared to Avelar-Guerra’s, and she considers that a compliment.
“ I know her mentality, and a lot of people say we coach alike,” Mares said. “I think I learned a lot from her, and I like to (emulate) her because she’s a great coach. When they compare me to her, it’s a good thing.
“ I think our teams are very similar when it comes to playing defense,” Mares added. “I knew it was going to be a battle playing Rivera.”
Avelar-Guerra is equally complimentary of Mares.
“ She’s a very good coach, and she’s doing a great job,” “Coach Ave” said. “It’s tough playing her teams.”
Tuesday’s victory was a confidence booster for Brownsville Veterans, which begins District 32-5A competition at home against Pace at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Rivera continues non-district action at home against St. Joseph Academy at noon Saturday before beginning District 32-6A competition against Hanna on Sept. 21.
LIONETTES ON RISE
La Feria has dominated District 32-4A volleyball for quite some time, having captured the last three conference championships.
In the quest for another 32-4A title, the Lionettes got off to a successful start in district on Tuesday by defeating Progreso 25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 26-18.
“ We have a good mix with a few returning players and some newcomers this season,” said Rebea Fraga, who is in her 31st season as La Feria’s coach. “What I like is we have team chemistry and the girls are working well together.
“ We took our lumps during the non-district schedule, and we’re putting it together now that district is here,” added Fraga, who estimates her teams have made the playoffs 28 or 29 times out of the past 30 seasons. “I want the girls to understand and accept their roles and also trust each other.
“ Our district is especially competitive this year. It’s going to be tough because it’s very even.”
The Lionettes’ captain is Sierra Salinas, a senior outside hitter and three-year letterman. Other seniors with varsity experience are Jeno Ochoa, a middle blocker, and Gabby Beltran, a defensive specialist.
Yet another senior is Aalyah Stewart, a middle blocker/right side hitter, who is injured. The Lionettes hope she can return and play, but it is not certain, Fraga said.
There’s a promising group of juniors for La Feria that include setters Reann Fraga and Ayisha Castillo, outside hitter Sophia Cabrera and libero Sabrina Castaneda. Another player in the mix is Alani Garza, a sophomore middle blocker.
District action continues for the Lionettes at 1 p.m. Saturday at Port Isabel.
RANKINGS WATCH
Several Rio Grande Valley volleyball teams continue to be state-ranked this week by the Texas Girls Coaching Association.
In Class 6A, McAllen High (19-1) is ranked fifth by the TGCA, while three Valley teams are listed in the Class 5A rankings. They are No. 10 Mission Veterans Memorial (24-5), No. 21 Edcouch-Elsa (18-6) and No. 24 Brownsville Veterans Memorial (16-6).
The only other Valley team listed in the rankings is San Isidro (14-7), which is No. 20 in the Class 1A-2A poll.
LOWER VALLEY
TOP 5 RANKINGS
1. LOS FRESNOS
2. HARLINGEN SOUTH
3. BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL
4. BROWNSVILLE RIVERA
5. BROWNSVILLE HANNA