By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
LA FERIA — Reanne Fraga grew up around La Feria volleyball, watching practices from the gym lobby and sitting in the stands for plenty of home games, thinking about when it would be her turn to play.
As the daughter of longtime Lionettes coach Rebea Fraga, the senior opposite hitter felt some pressure when her time did come to join the varsity squad. But she handled the expectations well and became a cornerstone for the team through her three seasons.
Reanne Fraga did a little bit of everything as an all-around player for the Lionettes during her final season, tallying a team-high 140 kills and dishing 120 assists as the second setter in La Feria’s 6-2 system. She was effective defensively as well, notching 79 digs and six blocks. Fraga was a key factor in La Feria clinching a co-District 32-4A championship and reaching the third round of the playoffs. She is the Valley Morning Star’s All-STAR volleyball most valuable player.
“I’m just so grateful for all the awards and accomplishments. It’s bittersweet knowing this is my last year, but I don’t have any regrets,” Reanne Fraga said. “In elementary school, I would take the bus (to the high school) and wait for my mom while she had practice, and I’d see all the home games and I was just in awe. I came to love the sport.
“Ever since I was a freshman, I’ve thought about when my last season would come,” she added. “Of course, this year was not what I expected with COVID. But it was like the perfect senior year, honestly … We were the perfect team. Going three rounds in the playoffs was amazing. Everyone worked so well together, and I’m just so proud of each and every one of the girls.”
Reanne Fraga said the team’s chemistry was at an all-time high this season, which she credits for helping La Feria find so much success despite the unusual circumstances brought on by the pandemic. She called the team’s bond indescribable and said “it was a privilege to have played with such amazing girls.”
The season was extra meaningful for her since it was her last year playing for her mom. She admitted it wasn’t always easy being the coach’s daughter, but learning how to handle criticism and live up to the expectations made her a stronger player and person, and she’s thankful for the experience. Reanne Fraga will be following in her mother’s footsteps by attending the University of Texas at Austin after graduation to study nursing or nutrition.
Rebea Fraga got emotional when reflecting on the last four years coaching her daughter. She called it a “once in a lifetime” experience and said she was grateful to have a front-row seat to see Reanne’s progression and achievements, which included earning tri-most valuable player in the district this season.
“When she started off as a freshman, I’d ask my assistants, ‘Is it me, or …?’ And they’d say, ‘No coach, she definitely has some ability.’ I didn’t want her to feel pressure to try to please me,” Rebea Fraga said. “As a coach, you feel athletes are capable of certain things. and then it’s nice to see it come to fruition and see that they reached those abilities you knew they were capable of. And with her, I got to see it from two different perspectives. It’s been amazing.”
The Valley Morning Star’s 2020 All-STAR Volleyball Team
Most Valuable Player
Reanne Fraga, sr., La Feria
Offensive Player of the Year
Juli Bryant, so., Harlingen High
Defensive Player of the Year
Elena Aguinaga, jr., Harlingen High
Setter of the Year
Destiny Martinez, sr., Harlingen High
Newcomer of the Year
Marley Perez, so., Lyford
Coach of the Year
Rebea Fraga, La Feria
First Team
Sabrina Castaneda, La Feria; Alexa Encinia, Harlingen South; Aliyah Garcia, San Perlita; Mariana Garcia, Harlingen South; Clarisa Gonzalez, Lyford; Emily Marceleno, Lasara; Yahaira Perez, San Benito; Kelsey Pizarro, Rio Hondo
Second Team
Zoe Betancourt, San Benito; Ayisha Castillo, La Feria; Liada De Jesus, Harlingen South; Patricia Garza, Harlingen South; Jasmine Rodriguez, San Perlita; Sabrie Romo, Lyford; Sarah Sanchez, Santa Rosa; Alyssa Silguero, Rio Hondo