By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Because McAllen Memorial returns two front line starters and a setter, Lorena Lopez has heard time again this offseason that she has virtually the same team coming back from 2015.
Lopez, however, refutes that idea.
“People think that because they’re big hitters, big blocks and tough servers,” Lopez said after graduating eight players. “But there’s a lot of new faces. It’s basically a brand-new team.”
If anything, Lopez sees it as a testament to the impact her returning trio had in making the fourth round of the playoffs. Her sophomore middle blockers alone would be foundational pieces on any team, Lopez believes. Pair Jocelynn Everage and Lanie Nitsch with setter Taylor Marburger, an All-Area first team selection and a Baylor prospect, and the Lady Mustangs believe they have the pieces in place to sustain their momentum.
“It’s definitely going to take work,” Marburger said, “but we’re already getting a feel for one another.”
More than anyone, Marburger stands to make the biggest adjustment this year. The Lady Mustangs are switching from a 5-1 set to a 6-2, which calls for two setters. That means that Marburger will double as an attacker on the right side, while setter Alexia Kruse adjusts to a new offense.
Kruse is among three transfers McAllen Memorial is looking to usher into the starting lineup. D.D. Ibarra, the District 31-5A Outstanding Setter of the Year, comes from Mission Veterans Memorial, while Abriana Saenz, the 31-6A Libero of the Year, comes from Edinburg North. Kruse previously attended Harlingen South, and was a second-team selection in 32-6A.
Though she believes they have a wealth of talent, Marburger talked about the team having to mesh with one another. Before their arrival, Marburger wasn’t sure what to expect. She entered the offseason setting out to study every one of the six positions on the court, in case she would have to spend time there.
But once the transfers filtered in, Marburger focused on serving and hitting, which she did a bit as a sophomore.
“They could play,” Marburger said about the transfers. “There’s a lot of offense, and that’s what we needed — all-around good players.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. But as soon as I saw them come in, they filled every single hole on our team. It just fit perfectly, and we’re really connecting.”
The group bounded during their time with the Venom, their club team. But last week’s tryouts and practice afforded them their first opportunity together with Lopez and the new offense.
Much like last year, Marburger will be the focal point of the offense with Everage in the middle and outside, and Nitsch primarily in the middle. As a freshman, Everage was among the team’s kill leaders and leading servers. She earned first-team all-district honors. And Nitsch was named the All-Area Newcomer of the Year.
With a season under their belts, and an offseason to hone their skills, Lopez sees better court awareness out of her two sophomores. Part of that, in fact, stems from their need to fill multiple roles last year. Nitsch played four last year, and Everage played all six.
“They’re not just big kids up front that can get a block,” Lopez said of her 6-footers. “Now they can basically do anything you need them to do.”
Marburger returns a more polished player, as well. After attending several camps this offseason, including Baylor, where she is in talks with the program about potentially walking on, Marburger has developed into a more vocal leader, Lopez said.
Her communication, particularly with her new teammates, should go a long way in trying to bring all the pieces together.
“We lost a lot of seniors, but I think we gained the talent back with our transfers,” Everage said. “Our communication and our effort are really good, and I think it’ll make our team stronger and more well-rounded.”
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Preseason Top 10
1, McAllen High
2, Los Fresnos
3, McAllen Memorial
4, Edinburg High
5, Brownsville Veterans
6, Edinburg Vela
7, McAllen Rowe
8, Edinburg North
9, Sharyland High
10, Edcouch-Elsa
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5 Other Players to Watch
Kristi Gomez, PSJA Memorial
>> 2015 All-Area first team; 31-6A Co-MVP
Dezi Marmolejo, Edinburg High
>> 2015 All-Area first team; 31-6A Co-MVP
Julia Monday, McAllen High
>> 2015 All-Area second team; 30-6A Outstanding Hitter
Jaida Muhammad, Edinburg Vela
>> 2015 All-Area second team; 31-5A Outstanding Defensive Specialist/Libero
Victoria Rogers, Edinburg North
>> 2015 All-Area first team; 31-6A Outstanding Hitter
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Call ’em in
Coaches can report their scores and results by calling (956) 683-4402 or via email at [email protected]