By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Madelaine Blanco and Kenya Ibarra contributed greatly to the success of the Rivera volleyball team in 2018, each in a different way.
As a result, Blanco, a senior and three-year starter, is Defensive Player of the Year on The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Volleyball Team. Ibarra, a 5-foot-10 freshman, is the All-Metro Newcomer of the Year.
The All-Metro area includes Brownsville, Los Fresnos and Port Isabel.
Blanco, a back-row player, was a vital presence on the court for the Lady Raiders. She helped make Rivera one of the strongest defensive teams in District 32-6A. Blanco and her teammates were constantly digging up strong hits that appeared to be sure points for Rivera’s opponents.
Ibarra, a middle blocker, gave the Lady Raiders some needed power at the net after the Lady Raiders graduated some strong hitters/blockers from last season’s 32-6A championship squad.
This season the Lady Raiders finished 25-15 overall and returned to the playoffs, having tied for third place in district with a 4-6 record.
Also, Blanco was named the top defensive player and Ibarra the newcomer of the year on the All-District 32-6A Team.
“It’s an honor to play for this team, and to be getting these awards throughout my years (on the team), it just shows me I’ve done a good job, and it gives me confidence in my playing after having worked so hard (to do well),” said Blanco, who would like to continue her volleyball career in college. “To be coached by one of the best coaches (Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra) is just an honor as well, because without her and her staff, I wouldn’t have been the defensive player I am today.
“Our defenders always feel like we want the ball (to come to us),” Blanco added. “We’re always like, ‘Hit the ball to us, we’re going to pick it up,’ or if someone dinks the ball on us, we’re going to get it. It’s the energy we have. We always have each other’s back.
“To be named (All-Metro) defensive player makes me proud because it makes me feel that I’ve done my job well. As a senior, this was one of my most memorable seasons.”
Blanco finished the season with 975 digs. She also had 39 kills, 15 assists and 21 aces. Ibarra recorded 446 kills, 139 digs, 65 blocks and 59 aces.
“I think this volleyball season was one of the most exciting things that has happened to me since I was like 5 years old,” Ibarra said. “I came into the season knowing it was going to be hard to fight for a (starting) spot (as a freshman). It was fun playing together with our seniors. Seeing the diversity of competition we faced was fun as well.
“I think it’s been the biggest honor for me to just play and help out our team,” Ibarra added. “Getting awards wasn’t really anything I was looking forward to or expecting. I was always just hoping to help our team fight to win.
“In the future we’re going to be doing some rebuilding and learning from the coaches and our past players. It’s going to help rebuild our confidence and help us develop our skills (to continue winning). It’s going to be fun next year and very challenging, too.”
Both players wanted to thank their parents for the support they have received.
For Blanco, her parents are Melody Slovak and Anibal Blanco. Ibarra’s parents are Ricardo and Rosalee Ibarra.
“We thank them for all their support,” Blanco said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”