By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial enjoyed a better-than-expected volleyball season by going 30-13, taking second in District 32-6A with a 12-2 record and advancing two rounds in the Class 6A state playoffs.
For those reasons, the Lady Chargers are receiving two of the top awards on The Brownsville Herald’s 2015 All-Metro Volleyball Team. They are Lisa Mares as coach of the year and Krista Lopez as libero of the year.
“It was an awesome experience (playing on this team, and) especially being able to see how we progressed throughout the season,” said Lopez, a 5-foot-2 senior and three-year starter. “It made me feel good to see the young talent we had step up when we needed them.”
Lopez led the Lady Chargers with 647 digs and also ranked first on the team in service receptions with 790. Of that total, the senior standout committed only 28 service reception errors. At the service line, she tied for second on the team with 44 aces.
Lopez, blessed with great leaping ability, was one of those rare liberos who also could hit effectively. She finished with 47 kills from her back-row position.
“Krista is a phenomenal athlete, and she’s been good since she was a freshman,” Mares said. “She’s become more confident each year and done a very good job with her serving and hitting.
“I’ve always let her hit because she has such a high vertical, and she can get up there,” Mares added. “In practice she’s always with the hitters. She’s one of two girls who never missed a practice. Her commitment (to winning) is incredible. I told Krista it was her job to take charge of the back row, and she was my coach back there.”
Lopez also was named 32-6A’s defensive player of the year.
Regarding her postseason honors, Lopez said, “It’s a great accomplishment. It’s something I’ve worked hard for these past few years. However, it wouldn’t be possible without the encouragement and confidence given to me from my coaches and teammates.”
For Mares, it’s the second All-Metro coach of the year award she has received in three years.
“I’m really humbled and appreciative,” said Mares, who just completed her sixth season directing the Lady Chargers. “I dedicate it to my mother (Guadalupe ‘Lupita’ Garcia who died Aug. 17 at age 56). She was always a big supporter to me.
“When something like that happens, you lose a part of you,” Mares added. “I felt her a lot with me, and I think it made me work even harder to do her justice.
“We had a team that was very understanding (when I missed one week at tournament time due to her death). They were understanding with me and themselves. It’s not just (exclusively) about volleyball. You share your vulnerability with them (and it’s great to receive understanding and comfort in return).”
Although the Lady Chargers shared the district title with Los Fresnos the past two seasons, they came into 2015 as something of an unknown, having to replace several key starters who graduated, particularly at the net.
Thanks to the contributions of varsity newcomers, the Lady Chargers evolved into one of the Rio Grande Valley’s top 10 teams and were the only ones to take 32-6A champion Los Fresnos beyond three games during district play.
“I don’t see it as being just about me,” said Mares, the mother of sons aged 3 years and 11 months. “It’s more the (program) foundation we have. I give a lot of credit to my coaching staff. They’re the best in the world.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.