By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
SAN JUAN—In a recent Saturday afternoon home win over the Harlingen Lady Cardinals in the volleyball version of the Battle of the Arroyo, the San Benito Lady Greyhounds continued to add to their win total, surpassing last year’s total by four games.
Overall, SB is 17-14. Last season, the team won 13 games. It remains to be seen whether the Lady ‘Hounds will win 21 games, as they did when they were district champs in 2023.
This year’s seniors were freshmen back then. One of those seniors, Camila Guajardo, said it’s a great confidence boost.
“We didn’t have that many wins, but it’s been different this season because there’s a stronger connection among the players,” Guajardo said. “There’s a lot of communication between us.”
In SB’s game against Harlingen, it took five sets to win, as the scores 25-18, 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, and 15-13 indicate.
Freshman Madelynn Mendoza had 28 kills, Annalise Rodriguez 11, and Kalista Olivares 10.
SB recorded 137 digs and nine blocks.
“We really pushed through to get that win; it was huge for us and very emotional,” Guajardo said. “This district is not easy, with teams like Los Fresnos, who are really good. But our girls are amazing, and we’ll step up our game.”
The Lady ‘Hounds arrived at this point by also beating District 32-6A foes such as the PSJA North Lady Raiders and the lowly PSJA Lady Bears.
SB beat North 25-17, 25-17, 22-25, and 25-11. SB recorded 49 kills, eight serving aces, and 100 digs.
Mendoza again led the team with 17 kills.
The PSJA sweep on Tuesday came by way of scores of 25-23, 25-16, 25-16. Stats were not available as of newspaper deadline on Wednesday.
Mendoza’s inaugural high school season followed club volleyball in Harlingen and McAllen, so the teenager has court experience.
The friendly atmosphere and camaraderie have contributed to her playing for San Benito High School, Mendoza said, and she started competing in fifth grade.
“It has helped me play at a higher level with different people,” Mendoza said. “The teams and players come from different areas, too.”
The victory over the Lady Bears leaves SBHS alone in third place with a 3-2 record, behind the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons (5-0) and the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers (4-1).
Harlingen (2-3), North (1-4), and P-SJ-A (0-5) come next.
The Lady ‘Hounds have flipped the script after losing their first two district games and now own a three-game streak.
It’s the fourth time this season they have won at least three consecutive games, dating back to August and September when they were playing in tournaments.
The second round of district games begins Saturday, when SBHS visits Veterans Memorial. The start time is 1 p.m.
They will host Los Fresnos next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at home.
“We didn’t start our district off well, but we’re working hard to change that,” Mendoza said.