Cruz, Hernandez finish first season at Hofstra
Harlingen South graduate Chrissey Cruz (5-foot-10, junior) completed her first season playing volleyball at Hofstra University. Cruz transferred this year from Loyola with coach Kristina Hernandez. Hernandez, who attended McAllen Rowe, led the Pride to an 18-14 overall record and 9-5 mark in conference.
Hofstra advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association Conference semifinals.
Cruz had 82 spikes, 761 assists and 208 digs on the season.
Jaclyn Lopez (5-11, setter/outside hitter) completed her first season at Centenary College. As a true freshman from Sharyland, Lopez ranked fourth in the Summit League in services aces and sixth in assists. She had 83 spikes, 28 kills, 577 assists and 180 digs while scoring 63.5 points for the Ladies.
Mission Veterans Memorial grad Kolby Warren (5-10) helped New York University win the 2008 Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship tournament as a true freshman. This was NYU's first ECAC championship in 21 years. Warren contributed three spikes and nine kills during the finals.
During the season, Warren recorded 255 kills for the Violets.
Mission Veterans alum Sonia Lerma (5-9, setter) played at Miami Dade College this season as a true freshman. Lerma helped Miami Dade claim the Southern Conference Championship for the 18th time in 19 years. The Lady Sharks (26-8, 8-0) advanced to the NJCAA Championship, where they posted a 2-2 record.
Lerma contributed 140 assists and had a hitting efficiency of 49.0 on the season the season.
Navarro College received votes in the NJCAA poll with two former Valley players on the roster. Alyssa Sanchez (freshman) from Sharyland and Jessica Martinez (freshman) from Harlingen South led the Bulldogs to an 18-16 record. Sanchez recorded 54 digs this season and Martinez tallied 43 kills.
Football
Texas Lutheran recently completed its 2008 season with seven former Valley players on the varsity roster. Ralph Valdez (5-8, 193, sophomore), Port Isabel; Michael Smith (5-9, 185, sophomore), Sharyland; A.J. Leal (5-11, 208, freshman), Sharyland; Eric Walker (6-1, 230, junior), Los Fresnso; Tony Gonzales (6-2, 200, freshman), McAllen Memorial; Esia Rivera (5-8, 195, sophomore), Los Fresnos; Joe Grancehlli (5-10, 200, freshman), McAllen Memorial all contributed. Valdez appeared in seven games rushing the ball 46 times for 183 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Granchelli had 15 carries for 52 yards in six games. He also returned three kick offs for 37 yards. Rivera caught five passes for 56 yards in seven games. Defensively, Walker recorded 14 solo and 21 assisted tackles in 10 games while Leal, Gonzales, Rivera, Grancheili and Valdez also recorded tackles this season.
Pikey Rodriguez is a longtime sportswriter in the Rio Grande Valley. His column runs every Tuesday. For news on college athletes, you can reach him at (956) 683-4450 or via e-mail at wbaker@themonitor.com.
