By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — For some strange reason, Daisy Reyna’s late arrival to practice seems to be benefitting Mission Veterans Memorial.
Each time the sophomore middle blocker is behind schedule, she has to make up for it by running more, which in turns helps her round into better shape to play up front. Lately, it’s showing more and more.
On Tuesday, she recorded 10 kills, 5 blocks and 4 digs to help spark a 25-7, 25-11, 25-9 victory over visiting Sharyland Pioneer.
“I think that’s helping her on the winning edge,” Mission Vets coach Diana Lerma said. “I tell her, ‘I hope you’re late tomorrow so we could run you extra.’ It’s like you could see, she’s playing better.”
Reyna came up with plenty of timely hits, including the kill that sealed the Lady Patriots’ sixth consecutive victory. Reyna’s slapper off a feed from D.D. Ibarra (12 assists) capped a 10-1 run, as Mission Veterans (23-6, 3-0), ranked No. 2 by RGVSports.com, completed the sweep.
Reyna was very much a part of the biggest run of that match. In Game 1, she had a block-kill that gave Mission Vets a 19-7 lead. Her one-handed tip off a feed from Karina Garcia gave the Lady Patriots a 22-7 advantage. The two connected again at 24-7, followed by an ace by Isela Rodriguez, which helped them close out the set on a 17-0 run.
“I think the more that we play, the better unified we’re getting,” Lerma said. “I think we’re starting to run our other plays better, and I think our confidence level is picking up.”
Other than trading kills to start the match, Mission Vets was in control against Sharyland Pioneer (22-9, 3-1), ranked No. 9 by RGVSports.com.
The Lady Diamondbacks, which dropped their first District 31-5A match of the season, never led on Tuesday. They forged two ties in Game 1, the last of which came on a back-row kill by Mariah Youngblood to knot it at 6. That’s when Ibarra and Alex Jimenez scored to make it 8-6.
Following a service error, Mission Vets ripped off a 17-0 run, ignited by an over-the-head kill by Reyna and another Reyna score off an assist from Garcia.
“She’s doing very well,” Lerma said of Reyna. “The attention that she’s getting, the kills, those points — you can’t argue with it. She’s bringing them.”
Reyna’s shift to middle blocker seemed unlikely, considering she was told last year she lacked the speed and jumping ability to play the position. After beefing up her training regimen during the offseason to help with her agility, the sophomore inched closer to making the switch from outside hitter.
After noticing her move faster in a Houston-area tournament in August, Lerma decided to slide Reyna up front.
“You’ve got to have somebody who’s an athlete,” Lerma said. “It’s having quick feet. Now she’s running all those extra miles, and it’s helping. Now, as you can see from where we started to where she is now, she’s in her tip-top shape.”
Following the sweep, the two were able to joke about the occasional late practice and added running.
“Every time I come in early, she says, ‘Oh, dang it, Daisy, you’re here early. I wanted you to run,’” Reyna said of her coach. “You know, it just helps me in the long run. And with the support of my team, it just boosts my self-esteem.”
Ibarra and Gabby Lerma helped shoulder the scoring load, pouring in 12 kills and 18 digs apiece. Iseala Rodriguez added five kills, 12 digs, two blocks and one ace. And Garcia chipped in with nine assists and 14 digs.