By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Ebony Casanova, at 5-foot-1, isn’t one of the tallest players on the volleyball court for the Pace Lady Vikings, but she may have one of the biggest hearts when it comes to playing her position as a libero in the back row.
A junior and a three-year member of the varsity, Casanova brings consistency and leadership to her squad, particularly as a defender. She displays quick lateral movement and is known for her willingness to go after any ball hit in her vicinity, even if it means going to the floor to make a dig.
“I love getting to the ball, and I love diving for it,” she said. “To receive that first pass (or serve from the other team), that’s my goal.”
Casanova came to Pace as a setter from Stell Middle School, and it didn’t take long for Lady Vikings coach Gavin Rudder to see her value as a defensive specialist. She soon found a place on the varsity as a freshman.
“Ebony is by far one of our best defenders,” said Rudder, Pace’s third-year coach. “She can read the play very well, and she’s great at covering the floor corner to corner. She plays center fielder in softball (and covers quite a bit of territory), so this is nothing for her.
“I saw her abilities as a defensive player when she was a freshman, and I took her with us to Harlingen, I believe (for her first varsity match),” Rudder added. “She just dug up everything those girls hit at her, and I was like, ‘You’re staying with me (on the varsity).’
“When you see some of the things she does, you just think, ‘Holy cow.’ Some of the digs she makes and some of the plays she makes covering the floor, it’s just crazy. Defense is one of my big things, and I’ve taught her a lot about how to move on the court and how to read (plays) and everything. She’s just very quick side to side, and she’s a great libero. The best thing is we have her for one more year after this season.”
This is Casanova’s first year as a libero after playing defensive specialist as a freshman and sophomore. Regardless of the change in position title, she’s still playing in the back row.
“I just want to help the team be better as a whole from the very beginning (of a play) because making the first dig or the first pass is how it all starts (as we set up our offense),” Casanova said. “To see our team finish off a play with a kill is just the best feeling ever. It’s amazing and it’s beautiful. It’s very satisfying to be a part of it.”
Her coach also takes a lot of satisfaction in seeing the entire process work as planned.
“I love it when a big hitter from another team goes up and gives it everything she has (to make a kill), and there’s Ebony, who just pops the ball right up like it’s no big deal,” Rudder said. “For us to get a good set and a kill right back after she makes a dig like that, it’s something amazing. It’s great knowing we as a team can all enjoy that it started with her sacrificing her body to go get that ball.”
Casanova also plays basketball and softball, and she says volleyball, which she started playing in third grade, is her favorite sport. The standout junior said she is motivated to do well because of her older sister Alex Casanova, a former outside hitter for the Lady Vikings who graduated in 2012.
The Lady Vikings play host to Weslaco High for a non-district match Tuesday and open District 32-5A competition at home against Mercedes on Saturday.
“I think people can expect something good out of us this season because that’s what we plan on doing,” Casanova said.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.