HARLINGEN — The 2018 season has been a roller coaster for the Harlingen High Lady Cardinals. They have been mixing and matching players, trying to find the right stuff prior to the district season.
But one constant has been senior Taegan Dickey. The senior has provided the Lady Cards with consistency and leadership, and is looking to have a key hand in 32-6A play.
Harlingen High will kick off district at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at San Benito.
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with Dickey.
Q: With district play coming up, how has the team progressed, what are some things that you all have improved on?
TD: I would say with district coming up, our team has progressed so much. We are now communicating and encouraging each other so much better on the court. I think everybody finally knows their role and where they fit on this team.
Q: You are off to a great start, what has been working for you this season?
TD: This season I have been able to push my teammates, and having them look up to me as a leader has helped me want to improve for them. My teammates and coaches always come before me.
Q: Has it hit you yet that this is your senior year?
TD: It has definitely hit me that it is my senior year, but I am excited for what the rest of the season holds and how we will perform in district.
Q: Walk us through your game day. What are some things you do?
TD: I try to keep my game days pretty stress-free. We have volleyball first period, where we just try to relax and play around, then of course I have my very busy day at school, and before our game we set up the game net, go over our rotations and do a few drills to get us ready for the game.
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?
TD: My pregame rituals consist of me braiding a lot of the girls’ hair and getting a good warmup in. We like to let loose before the game and get all of the pregame jitters out by playing a few games and praying. I do have three superstitions where I can’t use anything of our opponents’ colors throughout the day, let anyone else do my hair, and I also have to stand closest to the net during (the) warmup and when they call for captains.
Q: Once volleyball is over and you get into basketball, how different is the turnaround from playing one sport to another?
TD: The transition into volleyball and basketball is so much different. I go from jumping and timing to hit the ball or setting the ball at a certain place and time, to running up and down the court and working to perfect my shot, which can take a couple of weeks to get back in the groove.
Q: Who is your favorite superhero?
TD: I don’t really have a favorite superhero.
Q: What is your favorite Disney movie?
TD: My favorite Disney movie is a close one between Beauty and the Beast, Coco, and The Little Mermaid.
Q: What is your go-to order at Whataburger?
TD: My go-to order at Whataburger would definitely have to be a No. 1, plain and dry with cheese, fries, spicy ketchup for sure, and a sweet tea for sure!
Q: If you could play another sport, what would it be?
TD: I also do track, but I’ve always wished that my parents would have put me in softball! It looks so fun to me, and I feel like I would have really enjoyed it.