By ADAM KUJAWSKI,Staff Writer
Mariza Cardenas has been playing volleyball since her time at Stillman Middle School.
Now she is a senior member of the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers’ varsity squad, with which she’s been since her sophomore year.
Cardenas has had a successful career at Brownsville Veterans, and while she cherishes the memories she has her sights set on playing at the college level.
The happiest Cardenas has ever felt as a member of the Lady Chargers volleyball team was when her team handed the previously undefeated Los Fresnos Lady Falcons their first District 32-6A loss Oct. 25. The win helped pave the way for the second straight shared district title between the two schools.
The memories she’s made at Brownsville Veterans are even more special thanks to her fellow Lady Chargers and the bond they share.
“I love every single one of my teammates,” Cardenas said. “They make the game more fun, and they make me love it even more. We’re all like sisters. We hang out and do everything together. The chemistry is there.”
She’s been a middle blocker since she began playing and has made a habit out of dominating matches offensively.
Cardenas has gone to extra lengths to become a commanding presence on the court, using club volleyball as another outlet to better prepare herself. She is going into her fourth year of playing volleyball outside of her school team, and the extra experience has taught her a great deal about the game.
“The different coaches and styles have taught me a lot about what I need to work on in order to be better,” she said.
Lady Chargers coach Lisa Mares has noticed Cardenas’ game has become more refined of late, and Mares credits the work she has done above and beyond the in-season training.
“She has improved a lot this off season,” Mares said. “Between the extra strength and conditioning work and her club team, she’s definitely become a force in the middle.”
Last year, Cardenas traveled to Dallas, where she tried out for and made a Dallas junior national team. And following Brownsville Veterans’ season, Cardenas again will play club ball with plans to travel and compete around the country. She intends to use the help of her club and school coaches to aid in the recruitment process, since she hopes to play for a Division 1 university after graduation.
Cardenas also has played basketball and competed in track & field during her time with the Lady Chargers, but with the high stakes of a college scholarship on the line, she has elected to remain strictly on the volleyball court as not to risk injury.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.