PSJA Memorial, McHi host final tourneys of season

First-year PSJA Memorial coach Diana Alaniz was not shy about saying this week of tournaments might produce the best competition.

PSJA Memorial plays host to the annual PSJA Varsity Tournament today through Saturday. McAllen High runs the third-annual City of Palms Poundfest on Friday and Saturday.

The PSJA tournament is all bracket play. The McHi event starts off with pool play on Friday and ends in bracket play on the final day.

Alaniz said three-weeks into the season, the competition should be a lot sharper.

"At this point most of the teams know who their starters are going to be and have been playing together for two weeks now," Alaniz said. "It is the last week of tournaments and it gives teams one last chance to get ready for district."

The winners from last week's Rio Grande Valley tournaments will both participate in the PSJA Tournament. McAllen Rowe (Mission Tourney champ) and McAllen Memorial (Border Spikefest champ) lead top Valley programs Harlingen South, Mission High, Mission Veterans Memorial and Brownsville Rivera in the 16-team tournament.

"We have a strong mix of teams," Alaniz said, "You do have your strong teams in the tournament this weekend."

The Valley's top-ranked squad, McAllen High, highlights its own tourney and could end up battling District 30-5A rival Sharyland in the championship game.

The championship match of the PSJA tournament is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The Poundfest championship is set for 6 p.m.

The Rio Hondo Tournament, which is usually scheduled for this week, was cancelled because the Lady Bobcats have only one gym in use.

Moving on up

Edcouch-Elsa made its debut in the Top 10 this week. The Lady Yellowjackets, who are No. 10 in this week's poll, have had a strong showing in both tournaments they have participated in this season, finish third at the Donna Bravette tournament.

E-E gave Harlingen South a tough match at the Donna tourney. The Lady Hawks went on to play in the championship match.

At the Mission Tourney, E-E's only loss was to Rowe, which went on to win the tourney crown.

"One thing that I am really proud of is our defense," Lady Yellowjackets coach Ofelia Griffith said. "Our back row has done a really good job of passing. That is one of the things we have really worked on. We have really played well defensively."

News from Beyond

According to the Laredo Morning Times, Laredo Alexander coach Terry Cruz resigned. Alexander is a familiar Valley non-district foe and Class 5A playoff nemesis.

In three years at Alexander, Cruz was 69-17 and led the Lady Bulldogs to two District 29-5A championship.

It was not reported why Cruz stepped down as coach.

Peter Rasmussen covers high school volleyball for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail at prasmussen@themonitor.com