MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Roma’s 19-5 record comes as no surprise to coach Angie Garcia, even with two of her hitters out with injuries for the first few weeks of the season.
When Luz Gonzalez and Kassandra Rocha sustained injuries to their rotator cuffs, that opened opportunities for Annette Jasso, Alejandra Galindo and Sol Moreno, all of whom assumed larger roles, sometimes out of position.
Jasso, a right-side hitter, has provided a big spark in the middle with her blocks and hits. Galindo has found her comfort zone as an outside hitter, recording nine kills, nine digs and two aces this week in a win over Mission High. She also doled out 10 assists, shouldering some of the distribution load with Moreno, who had 10 digs on Tuesday.
“The girls are definitely stepping up,” Garcia said. “I wish I could mention everybody because everybody’s helped. Because, literally, everyone has had to step up. Even my bench has come through for us. They’ve been big for us, helping us out. Maybe those girls don’t play a whole lot sometimes, but they’re there motivating and encouraging people. They’ve been great working together, working for each other and everybody’s working for that common goal.”
That goal, she said, is improving on last year’s 34-8 mark and second-round playoff appearance, even if Roma may have had a couple of roadblocks earlier in the season.
“I’m not surprised at all (by the 19-8 start),” she said. “I know the kind of team we have. We’re a veteran team and we’ve been working hard. We’re working to win and better than we were the year before.”
The team features 10 seniors (seven returners) on a 14-player roster, giving Roma the type of nucleus and experience that could perhaps withstand rotating lineups. That’s part of the reason why Garcia wasn’t concerned by the return of Gonzalez and Rocha this week.
With district soon approaching, Garcia is working to gradually integrate them back into the lineup, making sure they’re fully healed. The return doesn’t disrupt what the supporting cast has been able to accomplish in their absence; the experienced enhanced their depth while giving other players more opportunities.
“Honestly, all the girls are extremely happy they’re back,” Garcia said. “They know that those two girls are their teammates and they’re a big asset to this team. And they’re being very unselfish. They’re aware that they got more playing time, and they’re OK with maybe getting a little bit less playing time now.
“They understand and they’re very unselfish. They’re very supportive. They’re going to keep on motivating them. Without a doubt, everybody’s happy.”
GETTING OVER THE HUMP
Donna High hasn’t made the playoffs since 2007, but coach Cindy Viesca believes this could be the year her team ends that drought.
Despite a relatively tough non-district schedule, featuring competition from San Antonio, Donna boasts a 19-8 record — this after racing out to an 11-0 start.
“The girls are just coming together and they’re determined to do well this season,” Viesca said.
Donna returns five players, including two starters in Marina Martinez and Yvette Tamez. Martinez, a senior outside hitter, has plenty of club ball experience under belt. Tamez, a junior, has covered the front row using her 6-foot frame.
The two have helped spark a Donna team that’s eying a district title and postseason berth.
So far, Donna has been impressive, beating Harlingen High in four sets last season while also posting wins against San Antonio Jefferson and San Antonio Wagner in the San Antonio ISD Tournament.
Viesca called it “a good learning experience.” It’s the type of matches she hopes will bring attention to the things her team needs to work on in preparation for district.
“We are where we need to be right now,” she said, “but I know that we can definitely be a lot better.”
TRYING TO BUILD MOMENTUM
Sharyland High lost a sizeable chunk of its roster and its head coach with the opening of Sharyland Pioneer. But despite that, the Lady Rattlers (14-14) are at .500 with a pair of juniors leading the attack with Maddie Garza (2.7 kills/set) and Paige Jones (2.3 k/s).
Garza has also been manned the front row with 39 total blocks and Jones doling out 236 this season.