By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Mayda Garcia’s ascension to team captain came partly out of necessity, after McAllen Rowe graduated its top two players in 2013.
Garcia was shy that year as a sophomore, and she kept even more to herself during her freshman season. But after a breakout year in which she was recognized as an All-Valley first team selection, coach Magda Canales pushed for Garcia to take on a larger role.
“Coach kept saying, ‘You need to be a leader, you need to be a leader. We need you to do this,’” Garcia remembers.
Garcia was undoubtedly their top returning player in 2014, but she cemented that mark even further when she became more of a vocal figure, rallying her team all year and leading the Lady Warriors to the third round of the playoffs and a 36-6 overall record.
She finished the year with 688 kills, 868 digs, 144 blocks and 41 aces. She was named the Poundfest Tournament MVP and the Sharyland Tournament MVP. And for a second straight year, she earns All-Valley recognition — this time as Player of the Year.
“I’m just so proud of my girls,” Garcia said. “I’m proud of how much we came from the beginning of the season until now. The memories we made this season, it’s unforgettable.”
Garcia not only showed her versatility in assuming a leadership role this season, but she also demonstrated it on the court in switching from middle blocker to outside hitter. She was more assertive than ever, guiding her teammates and developing strategies, whether in practice or during matches.
She also served as a Jill of all trades, filling in wherever the team had a void, whether it meant sliding into the back row or getting extra practice as a server.
“It’s not very common to have a player that can play all the way around like that,” Canales said.
Just as importantly, Garcia seemingly played bigger than her size. Though only 5-foot-9, she was a stabilizing force in the front row, giving the Lady Warriors the type of attack that hardly had them missing a towering figure.
“Against Rowe, you’ve got to put the whole package together,” McAllen High coach Paula Dodge said earlier in the season partly because “Mayda plays like she’s a 6-footer.”
With her vertical leap and forceful hits, Garcia made up for any disadvantage her height might have presented on the front line.
She attributes that athleticism to her mother, who was active in having Garcia join virtually every team sport since she was in grammar school. It’s part of the reason, too, why she decided to join basketball and track and field at Rowe.
“It’s non-stop,” Garcia said of the year round activity. “It’s difficult going from one sport to the next without a break, but it’s what I love to do. I can’t imagine myself not playing a sport.”
Just as much as those sports have contributed to her physical abilities, Canales said it’s also helped keep Garcia focused.
“Being in a competitive environment, that really helps her,” Canales said. “Competing twice a week for a good period of time — not only 3-4 months out of the year, but staying competitive most of the year in that aspect — that helps.”
Garcia has been in that type of setting for as long as she could remember. She joined the varsity team as a freshman and was disappointed in the team’s first-round loss to Brownsville Rivera. Garcia had those talks with Canales, about wanting to avoid another premature exit. And that’s what fueled Garcia the following year, when she was a major contributor on a Rowe team that advanced to the Sweet 16.
“At that time, she was more of a follower,” Canales said, “but she saw what it took to be able to lead.”
That’s when she realized, “It’s me and now I’m it,” Canales said, anointing Garcia the next leader of the program.
Garcia’s transition was seamless, despite her reserved personality early when she first arrived.
These days, Garcia takes pride in the team being more communicative, smiling, even, when talking about finally “coming out of my shy zone” this season.
“She was pretty much to herself, doing what she loved to do (as a freshman),” Canales said. But this year, “it was a combination of things that led her to become the player she is now. Maturity came into play. And I’m excited to see how she develops into the player she’s going to be next year.”
Top 10 Volleyball ranking
1, Mission Veterans 34-7
2, Los Fresnos 36-11
3, McAllen High 38-6
4, McAllen Rowe 36-6
5, Brownsville Veterans 34-11
6, McAllen Memorial 34-10
7, Sharyland Pioneer 30-11
8, Donna High 34-10
9, Edinburg High 31-8
10, Edinburg North 32-12
2014 All-Valley Volleyball
Player of the Year: Mayda Garcia, McAllen Rowe
Newcomer of the Year: Carter Helmcamp, McAllen High
Coach of the Year: Becky Woods, Los Fresnos
FIRST TEAM
D.D. Ibarra, Mission Veterans
Mariza Cardenas, Brownsville Veterans
Marina Martinez, Donna High
Gabriella Lerma, Mission Veterans
Julia Monday, McAllen High
Sydney Pemelton, McAllen High
SECOND TEAM
Peyton Sales, Los Fresnos
Sarah Sandoval, Brownsville Veterans
Sophia Luna, McAllen Rowe
Daisy Reyna, Mission Veterans
Sam Ibarra, Los Fresnos
Kara Yanez, Donna High