Staff writer Micaella Rodriguez

Varsity volleyball topped off their season with an undefeated district record and ranked 57th best volleyball team in Texas. They advanced to the playoffs and defeated Nixon in a 3-0 shutout to become Bi-district champions. The team advanced and defeated both Edinburg in Area and United in Regional quarterfinals again with 3-0 shutouts. They ended their playoff streak with a loss vs. Reagan 3-1 in the Regional semi-final match-up. 

Several athletes are prepared to continue their volleyball careers in college. Senior Terez Chavez signed to be a part of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University volleyball team in November. Senior Bryshanna Brown signed to the University of Houston volleyball team in December. Several teammates were also honored and named to All-District including senior Lexi Davila, named Offensive player of the year, Brown named MVP, Chavez named setter of the year, junior Mackenzie Mahr, seniors Elizabeth Purcell and Mia Robles named to first team. Juniors Lina Herrera and Ava Himstreet named to second team All District.

  These team members have been playing volleyball for years and have gone through extensive training.  Mahr, outside hitter has been on the Varsity volleyball team since her freshman year. Currently, Mahr has a record of over 60 digs as well as over 250 serves.  Mahr has been playing volleyball since 6th grade. Mahr mentioned that she first started playing because she had previously been playing tennis. However, she had gotten tired of it and from the advice of a friend, tried out for the volleyball team. 

  “People were really happy for me, there’s gonna be people who don’t like what I’m doing or who aren’t okay with my success but the vast majority of people are happy for me for finally being able to play and being able to showcase what I can do,” Mahr said.

  As for COVID-19, it has also had an impact on these players due to health protocols most volleyball gyms have had to close. Most players have been unable to practice which has affected their skills.

“I wasn’t able to go to practice, I wasn’t able to go with my team, this was one of the first years that I haven’t been able to go to nationals and so that has also affected my recruiting,” Mahr said.

Freshman JV member, moved up to Varsity mid-season, Carly Chavez is an Outside Hitter, Defense Specialist on the varsity team. Chavez has been playing club volleyball since she was 10 years old, and she soon “fell in love” with the sport. “Volleyball has shaped me physically and mentally. It has kept me in shape of course, but has made me a more mentally tough person. I have learned to handle pressure, and not crack under it on and off the court,” Chavez said.

 She shared she is a very positive person towards others on and off the court. 

“I feel like volleyball has made me into the leader who doesn’t get on you for your mistakes, but one that drives you to make yourself better,” Chavez said.

Chavez and other successful players attribute their success to their team and their families.

“I have a very supportive family that always congratulates me for my volleyball successes. My family are the ones that drive me to continue my volleyball career into college,” Chavez said.

Like everything, the season was impacted by COVID-19. Chavez said that her club season was cut off and wasn’t able to compete at Nationals.

“It was not great being at home instead of the court because that was my happiness, once we all started getting back on the court our happiness came back,” Chavez said.