BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
The nine-month offseason in volleyball has its share of advantages. For McAllen High and coach Paula Dodge, the offseason allowed ample time for deep thought. A few moments to truly savor and reflect on a memorable season in program history.
The marks were high. The Bulldogs’ 43-3 record was one of Dodge’s best in her 23-year run at McHi and included a berth in the Class 6A Region IV semifinals. When the team’s run came to an end in November, even the friendly confines of the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg weren’t enough to pull McHi past San Antonio Brandeis, which captured the last three sets of the match after the Bulldogs took the first.
But the time for reflection is over. McHi’s season-opening match will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Laredo Alexander.
“Last year’s team can be used as something this year’s team can look at,” Dodge said. “We always talk about tradition at McHi, but this is a new year. It’s a different group of girls, so we’re going to work our game plan around the talent that we’re so fortunate to have.
“I’m excited to get things started.”
The Bulldogs are going to look drastically different in 2017. Dodge will be tasked with softening the blow of losing four senior captains. Two of those captains played pivotal roles and were honored as The Monitor’s All-Area First Team performers in 2016: middle blocker Sydney Pemelton and outside hitter Julia Monday. Monday tallied 379 kills, while Pemelton had 234 kills, 90 blocks and 67 aces.
Dodge offered some insight on who could fill Pemelton’s shoes.
“Lexy Gonzalez was a freshman who played on the right side for us last year,” Dodge said. “Now a sophomore, Lexy’s about 5-11 or 6-foot. She’s going to be a factor for us in the middle. She’s a tough player.”
McHi will have eight seniors on this year’s roster. Only four of them, a group that includes setter Carter Helmcamp as well as outside hitter Victoria Rogers, were contributors to the 43-win team in 2016. The other four are seniors who are playing on the varsity circuit for the first time.
Rogers sees her new role as a veteran presence as an opportunity to build bridges with her younger teammates.
“I haven’t really thought about it, because I don’t want to treat everyone else as if they were below me. I want to treat them as equals,” Rogers said. “I think it’s best to treat the players that way. They deserve to be there. If I say something that can help them become better players, that could be good. But I’m not going to think too much about that, because I don’t want it to get into my head or anything. All I want is to keep playing with the same respect these girls have given me.”
Following an 845-assist campaign, Helmcamp won the 30-6A Outstanding Setter award in 2016. Helmcamp played alongside her older sister, Taylor, who completed her McHi volleyball career last season before graduating in the spring.
“Taylor was never hard on me. I’m really harder on myself,” Helmcamp said. “She helped me be more relaxed and not put so much pressure on myself. Her advice to me has always been to not overthink it, not be so hard on myself and just play. Mistakes are going to happen, and I have to embrace them.”
Helmcamp is impressed by the vibes that have emanated from nearly a week full of practices.
“So far, effort and attitude are high right now. They’re exceeding all of my expectations,” Helmcamp said. “All we have to worry about now is the volleyball part, and that is something that can be taught. I’m so grateful that that is the only part we have to focus on.”
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lanie Nitsch, McAllen Memorial junior middle hitter: The Monitor’s All-Area Volleyball First Team (2016)
Carter Helmcamp, McAllen High senior setter: 50 aces, 164 kills, 845 assists in 2016; District 30-6A Outstanding Setter of the Year (2016)
Kristi Gomez, PSJA Memorial senior outside hitter: District 31-6A Outstanding Hitter of the Year (2016)
Caleigh Hausenfluck, Sharyland High senior libero: 107 aces, 100 kills; District 31-5A co-MVP (2016)
Audrey Smith, Sharyland Pioneer senior setter: 221 kills, 47 aces, 32 blocks, 457 assists; 31-5A All-District Setter of the Year (2016)