By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
There may be some double-takes when Rivera plays volleyball.
The reason is the Lady Raiders have senior identical twins Jenny and Darcy Cardenas in their lineup.
It’s actually not too hard to tell which twin is which during matches because as a libero, Jenny wears a different colored jersey than her teammates. Darcy also plays in the back next to her sister as a defensive specialist. The girls have been members of the varsity for three years, and each is 4-foot-10 1/2.
Practices are a different story as the players all wear the same attire.
“At first glance, I do (have difficulty telling them apart), but if I look at them for a while, I can tell, especially when they are together,” Lady Raiders coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra said.
The Rivera coach considers the twins, along with senior outside hitter Michelle Morales, key contributors for the squad this season.
“They’re leaders for us,” said Avelar-Guerra, now in her 23rd season directing the team. “They’re playing really well beyond their size. It’s incredible the way they play. Jenny, my libero, picks up so many balls and reads the court so well while making good passes. Darcy is the same way. They’re both really good.
“To me, it was kind of a tossup at first (as to which one would be the libero), but Jenny seems to have just a little better touch on the ball (to play that position),” Avelar-Guerra added. “They all pick up the balls really well along with our other senior in the back, Gisel (Hinojosa). They play their hearts out.
“And with Michelle in the front, (it helps a lot, too). Sometimes, we get ourselves in a hole (and fall behind), and she just turns it on and starts really hitting that ball. Michelle’s not all that tall (at 5-5 1/2), but she’s aggressive and she can jump. She gets up there and hits, and she’ll chase down balls all over the place from the front row, just like the ones in the back. She comes out of nowhere to pick up balls and save them for us. Offensively, Michelle will pick us up, and defensively, the ones in the back do the same thing, so it’s a good combination.”
The Lady Raiders (16-19, 3-4 district) open the second round of District 32-6A competition at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at home against Harlingen High.
“It’s an honor to be on this volleyball team,” said Darcy, a first-year starter. “We work very hard, and we have a coach who is known as one of the hardest-working coaches ever, so it’s great to be coached by her.
“We’re a hard-working team, and we love this game,” she added. “I like the confidence that we have. Last year we lacked that confidence, and I think that’s why we didn’t make it to the playoffs. That confidence is helping us win. I think it would mean everything for the seniors and the rest of the team to get back to the playoffs and go far. We’re determined to do it.”
Added Jenny, a three-year starter, “Our program is known for its dedication, its hard work and for being the underdog in the district most of the time. It’s kind of fun being the underdogs because it’s a lot more satisfying to beat the teams that you weren’t supposed to beat. I like that we’re short, but we’re feisty. We’re hungry for the win. We can stay up there with teams that are taller.”
There’s a sense of togetherness on the squad, Morales said.
“The feeling of being family helps us a lot,” she said. “I think the best part of it all is the chemistry that we have. At first, we lacked communication, but whether we’ve known each other for four years, like I’ve known the twins, or for three years like with other players, or even just one year for the ones who are ‘newbies,’ we all have a strong bond.
“Last year was kind of a rough season because we didn’t make it to the playoffs, but I’ve had a taste of success (going to the regional tournament in 2013) as a sophomore,” added Morales, a three-year starter. “That was one of the most amazing memories I’ve ever had being at Rivera. Making it back to the playoffs would be a great feeling, and making it back to the regional tournament would be perfect for me.
“I love my team, I love my coaches, and I credit them and thank them for everything. Hopefully we make it back to the playoffs.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.