Volleyball sweeps senior night

Lady Texan Volleyball celebrated Senior Night on Tuesday of last week, closing out district play and the regular season with a straight set victory versus Canyon Lake’s Lady Hawks. They finished with a 30-10 overall record and second place in district at 8-4.

The Lady Texans came out full of energy in the first set. “We were on the home court for the last time with our seniors,” said freshman Carson Peoples. “We wanted to see them walk off the court with the win.” Peoples was part of dramatic service runs to propel the team to the first set win.

“We serve a lot in practice, making a game out of it. Coach reminds us that the only thing we can control on the court is our serve,” said senior Maddy Harris. Harris had a run of 5 straight points, and Carson Peoples duplicated that number. Both had multiple service winners in the stretches with Peoples notching 7 aces for the night - including backto- back aces after Canyon Lake timeouts in the first set. “Coaches usually call timeouts to make you miss your serve or get you out of rhythm,” shared Coach Stephanie Barthels. “Carson served those two aces back-to-back. It is awesome to see a freshman stay calm, cool, and collected in that spot. She’s learning to select and place her own serves to the team’s benefit.” The Lady Texans took the first set 25-18.

A strong defense set the tone for the second set. Mariah McCoy had 3 blocks for the night - including a block to close out the first set. Harris had 9 digs while Rhagen Masur added 8. “Maddy led us on defense. She played a well-rounded game,” said Barthels. “She’s one of our senior leaders. It starts with Maddy and Emily Thames. They do an amazing job. Our younger players follow their lead and Lauren Boyle sets the tone as a vocal leader on the sidelines. She has the gift to communicate and to be a calming influence on and off the court.” Set two went to the Texans, 25-8.

The third set was closer. “We were forced to earn every point,” shared Barthels. “We go back to a simple saying, ‘Fundamental volleyball will win all volleyball games.’ We had to get back to the basics. Sometimes we need the mental pause to get focused.” Jesse Weeks displayed leadership with her floor communications, talking through her sets and getting players into position. Weeks had 9 assists with Peoples notching 13, helping Laney Hennessee garner 8 of the teams’ 24 kills on the evening. The Lady Texans won the third set 25-21.

“We struggled with Canyon Lake in our first meeting. We wanted to get it done in three tonight,” reminded Harris. “As seniors, we’re sad about finishing up and leaving, but we’re set to make a big run in the playoffs.”

Friday night, Barthels took her team to Johnson City for a playoff tune-up. The Lady Texans dropped the first set 20-25, taking the second and third sets 25-22 and 25-16 respectively.

“We struggled putting long stretches together,” Coach Barthels said. “I’ve used the word perseverance all season. We had to sit back, stay calm, chip away and play our game.”

Barthels continued, “Johnson City is an amazing ball club and can hang with most larger schools. I’m proud of these young ladies for putting up a fight and finishing in five. It is a great way for us to go into the playoffs.”

Statistical leaders for the Lady Texans include Maddy Harris and Mariah McCoy both with 3 aces, Jesse Weeks with 22 assists, and Laney Hennessee added 12 kills. Defensively, Kenslee Brown led with 4 blocks while Harris and Rhagen Masur each had 15 digs.

At the time of print, the Lady Texans enter playoffs against the Young Womens’ Leadership Academy, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., at Boerne Champion.