With Sharyland Pioneer set to open its doors, work remains to be completed around campus. The football field is undergoing construction, and the gymnasium may have another month to go.
But that doesn’t seem to bother coach Laura Cavazos, who left Sharyland High for Pioneer.
“It’s going to be very special,” she said, looking ahead to this season.
Cavazos spent the previous two years coaching the Lady Rattlers. She left to take over the Lady Diamondbacks, she said, because of the “excitement” and “energy” surrounding the new school.
“Just being part of the new program,” she said, “is special.”
Joining her this season are five players she coached at Sharyland High. With Bianca Garza, Deandra Garza, Desiree Garza, Elise Lopez and Nora Monie at the center of the move, the Lady Diamondbacks hardly resemble a first-year program enduring growing pains.
They won the bronze championship at a tournament in Austin recently, and after beating La Joya High 25-22, 25-14, 25-18, on Tuesday, they improved to 6-4 overall.
“It’s a not a new group,” Cavazos said. “The core that we have, they’re started us off in the right direction. They know me. They know my expectations.”
Cavazos said her players are striving to be the first team in program history to make the playoffs. To get there, they’re hoping to see improvement by the time district begins.
These days, the Lady Diamondbacks are practicing at nearby Sharyland North Junior High. As the season gets under way, they hope to settle into their new home court.
“Those are the things we talk about and the girls get excited,” she said. “Just leaving a legacy, leaving their mark.”
TOUGH CHALLENGES
After finishing 42-1 last season, Mission Veterans coach Diana Lerma said she wanted to challenge her team this year in preparation for the playoffs.
Competing in the Pearland Tournament against some of the top teams in the state, the Lady Patriots finished 1-3 after losing Southlake Carroll 2-0, Lucas Lovejoy 2-0 and Cedar Ridge 2-1. Mission Vets did, however, beat Humble Atascocita in a sweep.
In all, the Lady Patriots boast a 3-3 record after beating McAllen Memorial in their non-district opener and Brownsville Veterans on Tuesday.
Mission Vets will co-host the Mission Tournament, along with Mission High, which is set to begin today.
ON A ROLL
McAllen Rowe, which closed out last season as the top-ranked team in the RGVSports.com poll, has been on a tear this year. The Lady Warriors went 9-0 through the Poundfest Tournament last week, capturing their second consecutive title after sweeping Los Fresnos.
On Tuesday, Rowe (13-0) remained unbeaten, again topping Los Fresnos (23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-18) and then Edinburg North (25-13, 25-19, 25-17) in a tri-match battle. Mayda Garcia, last year’s District 31-5A MVP, led the way with 31 kills in a win over Los Fresnos followed by 10 kills in the following match.
Rowe and Los Fresnos are scheduled to compete in the North East ISD Tournament in San Antonio, which kicks off Friday. Edinburg North will take part in the Floresville Tournament.