If there are two teams in District 32-6A volleyball that are very evenly matched and consistently seem to battle to five games almost every time they play, it’s Harlingen High and Brownsville Hanna.
That’s the way it’s seemed in recent seasons.
The most recent time they played was Sept. 24 during the first round of district, and the result was another five-set match that was won at home by the Lady Cardinals 17-25, 25-17, 25-17, 21-25, 15-7.
The rematch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. today at Hanna, with both teams nurturing hopes of making the playoffs.
The Lady Cardinals know it could be another back-and-forth, five-set duel, and they have a strategy they’re taking into the match.
“It’s a huge match for us,” Lady Cardinals coach Joslynn Torres said. “The key for us is to be ready to set the tone in Game 1, Point 1. In the first round of district we let Hanna hang around too long. We know we can’t allow that to happen because the playoffs are on the line for both of us.
“We know the environment that we will be playing in (at Hanna),” Torres added. “The girls have the mindset of going in and getting the job done by taking care of business quickly.”
The Lady Cardinals enter today’s action with a 3-3 record, which has them tied for third place in district with Harlingen South. Hanna is 1-5.
Los Fresnos is the 32-6A leader with a 6-0 record. Brownsville Rivera is second at 5-1. Rounding out the district, it’s San Benito at 0-6.
The other two 32-6A matches at 6:30 p.m. today find Rivera at Los Fresnos and San Benito at South.
HOLDING THEIR OWN
The Lyford Lady Bulldogs are holding their own in the battle to reach the playoffs in District 32-3A.
The Lady Bulldogs are 9-4, which puts them behind district leader Brownsville Jubilee and second-place Santa Rosa.
It’s a 10-team district.
The Lyford girls next play host to Weslaco IDEA Pike at 6 p.m. today.
“We still have five more district matches, so there’s still room for seedings to change (in the playoff race),” Lyford coach Lisa Lancaster said.
32-5A UPDATE
Going into today’s District 32-5A action, Edcouch-Elsa is the leader at 9-0, and Brownsville Veterans Memorial is second at 8-1.
Donna High and Mercedes share third place with 5-4 records. Brownsville Pace is 4-5, Brownsville Porter is 3-6, Brownsville Lopez is 2-7 and Valley View is 0-9.
EAST VALLEY TOP FIVE
1. Los Fresnos
2. Brownsville Rivera
3. Harlingen South
4. Brownsville Veterans Memorial
5. Harlingen High
