The East’s Neida Ybarra (20), of Edcouch-Elsa High School, blocks the West’s Daizy Coronod, of Sharyland Pioneer, during the Class 5A matchup of 17th annual Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase at McAllen High on Sunday.
The West’s Makenzie Gerlach, of Mission Veterans, hits a kill attempt during the Class 5A matchup of 17th annual Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase at McAllen High on Sunday.
The East’s Nicole Rodriguez, of Donna High, makes a save while teammate Abbigail Rodriguez, of Brownsville Pace, ducks and teammates on the bench react during the Class 5A matchup of the 17th annual Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase at McAllen High on Sunday.
The West’s Makenzie Gerlach of Mission Veterans, passes the ball during the Class 5A matchup of the 17th annual Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase at McAllen High on Sunday.
The East’s Ileane Gallegos sets the ball during the Class 5A matchup of 17th annual Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase at McAllen High on Sunday.
17th annual Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase pits East vs. West
The World of Sports
McALLEN — Girls laughed after hitting the ball into the net or trying something a little different on the court. The intensity that has been high since the beginning of high school volleyball was lessened, but there was no shortage of highlight film material during the 17th annual Rio Grande Valley Volleyball Showcase on Sunday at McAllen High.
When it came down to hit, hitters hit - maybe even harder thank in the regular season since this match didn’t count, liberos and devensive specialists dove as if every point was match point. It was comparable to an NBA All-Star Game or Major League Baseball home run derby – filled with offensive firepower and defensive gems that had those in attendance clearly enjoying the moment.
Many of those were parents who were watching their daughters play their final games representing their high schools, or any school at all.
As would be expected, the stars shined brightly with players like Mission Veterans Makenzie Gerlach and Jackie Howell showing off their power with canon-like kills over and over again. Donna’s Nicole Rodriguez showed her versatility at the net with a variety of big-time kills combined with tips and well-placed shots, and defensive standouts like Lizbeth Melendez from PSJA Southwest who, on several opportunities showed no care for “life nor limb,” diving to make spectacular saves or trying to bring a ball back into play from the stands.
Read the entire story on the e-Edition of our newspaper. http://www.etypeservices.com/Advance%20News%20JournalID455/