Volleyball Bi-District Roundup: United tests top-ranked McHi

The Rio Grande Valley's top-ranked team, McAllen High, faced somewhat of a challenge early but regrouped to beat Laredo United 29-27, 19-25, 25-13, 25-15 on Tuesday in Roma.

"We turned it up a notch in the last two games," Lady Bulldogs coach Paula Dodge said.

McHi (29-4) advances to the Class 5A area round where it will play Edinburg High, a winner over Brownsville Hanna on Tuesday.

The Lady Bulldogs were led by setter Sam Hoffman's 34 assists. Sarah Udor led the team with 18 kills while Lizzie Kittleman (14 kills, seven blocks) and Ali Bills (14 kills, three stuff blocks) combined for 10 blocks.

"It was a really exciting match. This is the playoffs so everyone is 0-0," Dodge said. "We are expecting them to very close."

LAREDO ALEXANDER DEF. McALLEN ROWE 31-29, 25-23, 17-25, 25-16: At Zapata, McAllen Rowe, a postseason valley favorite, proved to be no match for one of Laredo's best.

Rowe ends the season 28-7. Setter Ari Ybarra recorded 32 assists and sophomore blocker Brittanie Best led the team with 15 kills and nine blocks.

SAN ANTONIO SOUTHWEST DEF. McALLEN MEMORIAL 25-22, 25-12, 25-22: At Corpus Christi, the Lady Mustangs' season came to a disappointing end.

"We definitely struggled on our side of the net," Lady Mustangs coach Lorena Lopez said. "We were in a late-season slump we could not get out of."

Memorial was led by Sabrina Doffing's 19 assists, 12 digs and six kills.

Class 4A

MISSION HIGH DEF. LAREDO CIGARROA 25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 25-13: At Mission, the Lady Eagles advanced to the Class 4 area round with a 3-1 win over Cigarroa.

Mission improves to 22-9 and will play either Corpus Christi Moody or San Antonio Harlandale in the next round.

The Lady Eagles, as usual, used a balanced attack in the win. Monica Flores had 21 kills and 19 digs and Celina Vera had 12 kills and 38 digs.

Other standouts for Mission High include Victoria De Leon (11 kills, 16 service points), Veronica Garza (eight service points, 18 digs) and Celina Garza (four kills, one block).

FLOUR BLUFF DEF. ROMA 25-20, 25-8, 25-16: At Falfurrias, Roma's first playoff appearance in six years ended quickly. The Lady Gladiators could not keep up with the District 31-4A champs.

Maritza Flores (eight kills, 12 digs), Lucy Silva (two aces, six assists) and Janet Rodriguez (two kills, three blocks) led Roma.

Corpus Christ Calallen def. Mission Veterans Memorial 25-16, 25-27, 20-25, 26-24, 15-12: At Corpus Christi, the Lady Patriots' season ended in heartbreaking fashion, as they fell to Corpus Christi Calallen. Laura A. Rodriguez had 18 kills and 38 digs for the Lady Patriots, whose season ends in the bi-district round.

"The girls played one hell of a game," Mission Veterans coach Diana Lerma said. "They fought hard. Every game was close. It could have gone either way.

"I was proud of my girls. They played one heck of a game."

Class 3A

LA FERIA DEF. FALFURRIAS 25-21, 25-23, 25-22: At Pharr, the Lionettes advance to the Class 3A area round where they will play Lytle. The match is set for 7 p.m. Thursday in Mathis.

La Feria was led by Melanie Leija who had 21 kills, three blocks. Hannah Wolf recorded 13 kills. Clarissa Casas had 11 kills and 11 assists.