By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
After splitting its non-district schedule, Sharyland High is enjoying its place atop the District 31-5A standings.
Before losing to Laredo Nixon on Saturday, the Lady Rattlers (17-13, 5-1 in district) had won five straight matches, including a four-set win over rival Sharyland Pioneer. All this with a largely inexperienced roster for Sharyland.
“The girls have been working hard,” Lady Rattlers coach Raul Castillo said. “They know we started off flat in the beginning, and so we had work to do. We have only two seniors, we’re fairly young. There’s going to be mistakes in the beginning. That’s what ended up happening. But little by little they’re picking up the little details in the offense and minimizing errors.”
Sharyland High has also received a boost from junior Maddy Bickerton, who transferred from Port Isabel. Bickerton, who attended B.L. Grey Middle School before moving to P.I., has flourished since joining the Lady Rattlers. Utilizing her height and athleticism, Bickerson has worked her way into a starting spot on the right side.
Castillo lauded her for being a quick learner, saying she generally makes whatever adjustments are asked of her within the same set.
“She’s one of those kids who wants to work and wants to get it done so she could stay on the court,” Castillo said.
Senior middle blocker Norma Quintanilla has also drawn praise for her vocal leadership and her play in the front row. Together, the team pulled what was largely considered an upset win over Sharyland Pioneer.
“Whenever you beat your rival school, it’s going to boost anyone’s morale,” Castillo said. “We had the odds stacked against us; no one thought we were going to win. But we were practicing for it, and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. And they didn’t take them lightly.”
He added: “The girls are just working hard and coming together, doing a lot of team bonding. Right now it’s just realizing what we’re able to accomplish with our offense, our sets. Knowing how to set, when, knowing who they have across from them. Knowing what defense the opponents run and having our setters realize what their weaknesses are versus our strengths and being able to get that offense going for us.”
STAYING IN THE HUNT
As much as Roma has been marred by injuries this season, coach Angie Garcia refuses to let her players use it as an excuse.
At 3-3 in district, Roma (11-14) is in the playoff hunt — looking to make its fourth appearance in five years — despite losing a middle blocker to season-ending shoulder surgery and three other defensive players to varying ailments.
The Lady Gladiators took a hit when it lost Alejandra Reyes, one of three seniors on the team, due to a shoulder injury.
She’s been replaced in the starting lineup by Maya Salinas, the only freshman on the team. Garcia said Salinas’ play has been “tremendous,” so far.
With Natalie Gonzalez (sprained wrist), Alexa Sanchez (groin) and Yeritza Saenz (groin) also sidelined, Roma has forged ahead nonetheless to post a .500 district record heading into tonight’s match against Laredo Cigarroa.
“It’s a combination of everybody coming together,” Garcia said. “I don’t have that one standout player that we say this is our go-to girl. It’s definitely a combination of everyone’s efforts. We’re not a one-girl team. We cannot do it. It’s hard when you have to pull that off. So we’re blessed to have several good players on this team.”
Garcia added: “I always try to tell the girls not to get satisfied. You have to stay hungry for more. And I think we could’ve gotten at least one of those three games we lost early on, for sure. But that’s how it goes, and I think we’ve gotten better every game. The team has gotten more unified and working harder together.”