The quarterfinals of the MISD Methodist Mansfield Medical Center invitational were filled with some fun matchups to start off Saturday morning. Mansfield went head-to-head against Waco Midway, while Colleyville Heritage faced off against Amarillo Tascosa in the other gym. The next two matches featured El Paso Coronado squaring off against El Paso Franklin and Frisco Memorial seeing Waxahachie.

In the semifinal matchups, Colleyville Heritage faced off against Waxahachie, while El Paso Coronado advanced to play against Mansfield. And in the final round, El Paso Coronado faced off against Colleyville Heritage. Colleyville Heritage’s dominance at the net, coupled with its well-rounded performance, ultimately secured them the tournament victory. The Davis sisters, Maddie Bird, and Audrey Popp shined, while libero Sarah Mendoza displayed exceptional defensive skills. Colleyville Heritage emerged as the deserving champions (25-20,25-21), showcasing its talents and determination throughout the tournament.

Can we just talk about the El Paso Coronado squad? They are the perfect definition of a scrappy team. They might not be big height wise but don’t tell them that. Outside hitters Alina Strickler and Ashlee Macias swing with no fear. Right sides Nadia Pena (a Texas A&M-Kingsville commit) and Lauren Bates do a great job giving setters Rhian Gee and Faith Silex options. Libero Danielle Gutierrez sweeps up the backcourt. And middle blocker Elle Rios might not be the “normal” middle size but can score with the best of them.

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Gold Bracket Results

Mansfield d Waco Midway 25-20, 25-14

Colleyville Heritage d Amarillo Tascosa 25-20, 25-14

El Paso Coronado d El Paso Franklin 25-19, 15-25, 25-20

Waxahachie d Frisco Memorial 25-23, 25-11

El Paso Coronado d Mansfield 26-24, 25-17

Colleyville Heritage d Waxahachie 25-12, 25-22

Colleyville Heritage d El Paso Coronado 25-20, 25-21

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All-Tournament Team

MVP: Suli Davis S/RS Colleyville Heritage

Maddie Bird OH Colleyville Heritage

Sarah Mendoza L Colleyville Heritage

Danielle Gutierrez L El Paso Coronado

Alina Strickler El Paso Coronado

Brennan Ramirez L Waxahachie

Rachel Resta S Mansfield

Jordan Imperial OH El Paso Franklin

Meredith Sanning S Amarillo Tascosa

McCall Sims Canyon West Plains

Randee McCloud Coppell

Mira Klem RS Coppell

Lily Hamilton OH Keller Timbercreek

Brooklyn Ross Lake Ridge

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DAY 3 SHOW STOPPERS

Meredith Sanning, SR S, Tascosa- Sims showed nice command running the offense. She has a soft, smooth delivery and was consistently on target with her location.

Bennet Berryman, SO L, Tascosa- Berryman was active and playing with high energy. She was making big digs to extend rallies, bringing a defensive edge to the lineup.

Jennifer Zuniga, SR MB, Tascosa- Zuniga is an undersized MB but incredibly smart and crafty, She gets the job done.

Suli Davis, JR S/RS, Colleyville Heritage- Davis, a 5-star recruit, can do it all. Not only is she a wall at the net defensively, but when she gets an open net to swing on its truly impressive.

Maddie Bird, SR OH, Colleyville Heritage- Bird is a reliable scorer who was finding gaps in the seams and open spots on the court with her smart shot selection.

Audrey Popp, SO OH, Colleyville Heritage- Popp, a 3-star recruit, takes some big swings on the outside.

Sarah Mendoza, JR L, Colleyville Heritage- Mendoza, a 4-star recruit, is smooth and consistent and rarely makes mistakes. She also reads welloin defense.

Maria Herron, FR RS, Midway- Herron, a freshman, swing wells on the right side. She will be fun to watch as she continues to grow in the game.

Kenna McKenzie, JR OH, Midway- McKenzie, a 3-star recruit, keeps the offense ticking across the front row. Her line shot is pretty impressive. She’s also a strong contributor in the back row.

Jade Washington, JR L, Midway- Washington was holding it down defensively, coming up with saves all over to extend rallies. She is incredibly fast, dynamic and fun to watch.

Rachel Resta, SR S, Mansfield- Resta, a 3-star recruit committed to Oral Roberts, has a soft touch and she can be aggressive across the front row going on two to keep defenses on guard. She can push from pin to pin with ease.

Mia Clay, SR OH, Mansfield- Clay, a St. Edward’s commit, is a consistent contributor to the attack and a tough one to slow down with her extension that has her going over or around the block.

Kylie Meche, SO OH, Mansfield- Meche has an athletic edge on the court. She jumps incredibly well and has no fear swinging.

Julianna Hernandez, SO L, Frisco Memorial – Hernandez, a 3-star recruit, makes plays others don’t. She’s money in serve receive. She’s quick and covers ground chasing down balls and extending rallies.

Ava Steffe, JR OH, Frisco Memorial- Steffe is a steady six-rotation outside who gets up with a good arm who provides offense everywhere on the court.

Lauren Bates, JR RS, El Paso Coronado- Bates is an effective scorer who has a ton of energy. She helps split the offensive duties in the front row.

Alina Strickler, SR OH, El Paso Coronado- Stickler is an undersized scrapper who finds ways to score in the front and back row.

Danielle Gutierrez, JR L, El Paso Coronado- Gutierrez provides a steadying presence in the back row. She was sound in serve receive and putting digs right on target consistently.

Jordan Imperial, SR OH, El Paso Franklin- Imperial was my favorite athlete to watch play. She might be 5-6 BUT she literally played like she was 6-0. She has a whip of an arm and loved to tool blocks. Did I mention she plays lights out defense?

Hannah Finn, JR S, El Paso Franklin- Finn can set on the move as well and does a nice job of connecting with all her hitters.

Tionna Owens, SR MB, Waxahachie- Owens makes a big impact defensively at the net and putting down any overpasses that came her way.

Brennan Ramirez, SR L, Waxahachie- Ramirez is a calm presence at libero with strong skills and rarely makes mistakes or errors. She is also fast and able to make quick reaction plays.

Migdaly Bernal, SR OH, Waxahachie- Bernal is a heady player who knows how to score against blocks. She also can score anywhere on the court.