By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — With an added year of experience to a senior-laden group, Sharyland Pioneer found itself playing a little more fluidly than it did a year ago during its inaugural season.
The offense ran smoothly between its setters and middle hitters, and defense came through once again, as the Lady Diamondbacks picked apart Valley View 25-16, 25-3, 25-11 in both teams’ District 31-5A opener Saturday.
“Just the overall team work has really changed,” Maddie Hatzold said after posting six kills, three digs and two blocks.
“We have a good bond this year,” said Desiree Garza, who had 10 kills and two blocks. “I think we’re closer now, so it helps us a lot. Last year, we were a new team and just getting started. And now I think we’re a stronger team, and we all get the concepts of the game.”
The senior middle hitters fed well off of setters Sandra Solis (19 assists, three digs, one ace) and Audrey Smith (six assists, five kills, five digs, one ace), all of whom return to the team after finishing second in district, behind Mission Veterans Memorial, en route to a second-round playoff appearance.
The Lady Patriots once again figure to be the favorites to win the District 31-5A crown, but it hasn’t discouraged Sharyland Pioneer from openly discussing its intention to shoot toward the same goal. Its defense is improved this year, as evidence by some of their sweeps this season.
And their confidence, after improving to 19-8 overall, continues to grow.
“We have a huge group of seniors, and that’s what’s helping us,” acting head coach Claudia Garza said. “They already know what they have to do.”
Smith found Deandra Garza in Game 3 on Saturday for a 14-8 lead, igniting an 8-0 run that forced Valley View to call for time. It was Smith again who set up three consecutive points for Pioneer, including a lob for Desiree Garza that put it ahead 24-11.
On the last possession, Valley View hit into the net, giving the Lady Diamondbacks the win.
The Lady Tigers had a few letdowns like that Saturday, especially in Game 2. First-year coach Jocelyn Torres chalked it up to “mental toughness,” saying her players are still growing acclimated to “tough games” like Saturday’s.
In fact, in winning only district game last year, Valley View was hardly ever in contention to make the playoffs. But its 14-9 record overall record has given the team renewed sense of optimism.
“It’s like I tell my girls, this is just one game. We have many more to come,” Torres said. “Game 2, the score’s going to show people that we fell on ourselves. But it’s like I was telling the girls, we didn’t give ourselves an opportunity to win the game. Every opportunity was because of our mistakes. I know we’re a better team than what we showed today, and we have bigger and better things coming, for sure.”