DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — The 2016 volleyball season was somewhat bittersweet for San Benito junior captain Crystal Ibarra.
After a stellar start to the year, Ibarra went down with an injury on Oct. 1 and missed the second half of district play.
And while the Lady ‘Hounds did step up without their injured star and managed to make the playoffs, it was clear that the team dearly missed the spark that Ibarra provided.
For this reason, Ibarra was named the Valley Morning Star’s 2016 Volleyball All-Star Player of the Year.
The Star sat down with her to discuss her season, her injury and what the future holds.
Q: How does it feel to be named the Valley Morning Star’s All-Star Player of the Year?
A: I feel very honored and surprised that I was named The Valley Morning Star’s All-Star Player of the Year since I only played half a season.
Q: Talk a little bit about this past season. What moment sticks out for you the most?
A: This past season has been the best. My team, Coach Medina, Daniel and Coach Valle, and the support of my family; it was just awesome. Every practice was worth it, even the conditioning. Every game we learned something new about ourselves and my team’s chemistry was great. The moment that sticks out to me the most is the first day of official volleyball practice because I knew it was going to be a fantastic season.
Q: You were injured for a time this season. Talk about what it was like to miss games and what it took to come back.
A: Honestly the first question I asked my doctor was if I could play the next game. Sadly my foot was fractured and I was in a boot for six weeks and it took a month for recovery. I wasn’t going to abandon my team, fractured foot or not. I went to every game cheering them on. It was really frustrating just sitting on the bench, but I had to accept that I was injured.
Q: What moment, if any, would you like to change about this past season?
A: I would really want to change the fact that I got injured. I will always wonder how my season would have ended.
Q: Talk a bit about Coach Ruby Medina. What kind of coach is she?
A: Coach Medina has always been a fantastic coach. She’s patient and energetic, and made me the player I am today. But she is not just a coach to me, she has been there for me and I can talk to her about anything.
Q: How long have you been playing volleyball?
A: I have been playing volleyball for five years, since the seventh grade.
Q: How do you like to prepare for matches?
A: The team and I always say a prayer before each game, but, for fun (and to get rid of the jitters) we always say cheers and dance. Warming up before a game is always important. Stretching for me is very important because of the constant use of muscles to jump.
Q: If you couldn’t play volleyball, what sport would you play and why?
A: I also run track so if I could not play volleyball I would only do track because it is a really competitive sport that requires not only physical strength, but mental as well.
Q: Talk a bit about your team? What is the chemistry like between the girls?
A: My team is just great. Some of us have known each other since middle school and some of us have known each other since my freshman year. We are all sisters. During the summer we practiced long hours, becoming used to each other. Our chemistry is great. We never argue, never blame each other, and we are just a fantastic team.
Q: What game sticks out for you the most this season?
A: The game that sticks out the most would be the game versus the Harlingen Lady Cardinals. That game was probably the toughest loss for me. To make it worse, I couldn’t even finish the game because I had fallen and gotten injured.
Q: Who would you say was the toughest opponent you faced this season?
A: The toughest opponent my team faced would be the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons. They are an excellent team, but even though we lost against them, it was always an awesome game.
Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete?
A: Jesse Owens
Q: Any college plans?
A: My dreams for college had always been for me to get a scholarship for a sport. Being a volleyball player and running track, I know it’s going to be difficult but I always work hard and stay optimistic. I want to study forensic science and psychology.
Q: Any idea what you want to do professionally?
A: If I got a chance to play volleyball professionally, I would immediately take it because I love the sport. But I really do hope to run and jump professionally and maybe one day go to the Olympics for track and field.
Q: Tell our readers something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A: I get nervous before every game and meet. I get anxious and sometimes I can’t even speak. It’s funny because you would think I would be used to it after playing for five years, but it feels like it’s the first time I’ve ever played each time.
VMS All-Star Volleyball Team
Player of the Year
Crystal Ibarra, San Benito
Offensive Player of the Year
Anelli Rodriguez, La Feria
Defensive Player of the Year
Camryn Lopez, La Feria
Libero of the Year
Ashly Cantu, Raymondville
Newcomer of the Year
Ariel Garcia, San Benito
Coach of the Year
Rebea Fraga, La Feria
1st Team
-Yazmine Martinez, Harlingen
-Allyson Benavides, Harlingen South
-Larisa Garcia, San Benito
-Claudia Mesa, Raymondville
-Erinn Ramirez, Mercedes
-Simone Harry, Port Isabel
2nd Team
-Arlene Lucero, San Benito
-Cameron Del Angel, Harlingen South
-Teagan Dickey, Harlingen
-Audrey Zavala, Raymondville
-Myah Salas, La Feria
-Bryanna Ramos, Harlingen