(Staff photo by Heather Cathleen Cox)
The San Benito Lady ’Hounds varsity volleyball squad is prepared for the start of the 2014 season.
By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS
This is the year the San Benito Lady ’Hounds hope they can take the next step.
Already perennial volleyball playoff qualifiers, the girls opened the 2014 season on Tuesday night to embark on a journey they hope ends with a district championship, something that’s eluded them in the past.
Veteran coach Ruby Medina welcomes back seven returnees from last year’s club which finished 15-11 and fourth in District 31-5A, falling in the bi-district round of the playoffs. With solid performances in the preseason, Medina said she’s got high hopes for this year’s club.
“Our expectations are to be district champions,” Medina said. “We have a lot of starters back who’ve been with me and as long as they gel and communicate, we’ll keep going in the right direction.
“We’ve made the playoffs several times and got to Area a couple of years ago,” Medina added. “But the district championship is something we haven’t gotten yet, so our girls have that goal in mind and from there we’ll set our goals even higher.”
The seven Lady ’Hounds who return from last year include senior outside hitter Kailha Reyes, a first-team all-district selection last season. Senior Giselle Schoenmakers, a second-team pick at outside hitter is also back along with outside hitter Brandi Farias (senior), outside hitter Rebecca Hartman (senior), middle hitter Adriana Naranjo (senior), defender Jennifer Torres (senior) and outside hitter/defender/setter Blandina Trevino (senior).
Also competing on this year’s Lady ’Hound varsity are Ariana Agado, Christen Alegria, Monica Garcia, Clarissa Gomez, Jav’ana Gonzalez and Janette Torres. Medina is assisted by coach Leticia Pope.
San Benito moved back to the lower Valley 32-6A district this offseason, and will compete with the likes of Los Fresnos, Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Harlingen South.
“I really think this is gonna be a tough district,” Medina said. “Not that our old district wasn’t tough, but over here in this district they just play at a different level.”
In scrimmages against Donna and Edcouch-Elsa last weekend, Medina said she saw plenty of reasons for optimism. Having so many girls back from last season is certainly a plus, she said.
“It’s easier because they know each other already and have that chemistry,” Medina said of her lettermen. “We just need to put it in play. So far, we’ve been looking good and I’m very happy with the progress.”
After Tuesday night’s regular season opener against Laredo United South, the Lady ’Hounds will now go to McAllen this weekend for the annual McHi PoundFest tournament. Next Tuesday night, the girls are once again at home in non-district action against Edinburg Vela.
1 comments
Go Kailha! Make All District again! Go, Lady Hounds!