By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
A big part of the success Brownsville Veterans Memorial is enjoying in volleyball this season is thanks to its seniors.
Like many other teams, the now two-time District 32-5A champion Lady Chargers (24-7 overall, 13-0 district) are thriving and being led by their 12th-graders.
That group of seniors for Brownsville Veterans includes middle blockers Bridget Himes and Rebecca Cardenas, outside hitter/all-around player Cassie Valdez, outside hitter Cynthia Garcia, right side hitter Brianna Estrada, libero Kasandra Jimenez and back-row defensive player Maryela Angeles, who has been out since the beginning of the season due to an unexpected surgery.
“First of all, I feel beyond blessed,” Lady Chargers coach Lisa Mares said. “I’ve had half of these girls with me for three years and the other half for two. They’ve made me laugh, they’ve made me cry and made me get more grey hair. But most importantly, they have made me so proud of them and the young women they have become.
“It seems like yesterday I had them as freshmen in two-a-days,” Mares added. “I knew this group was going to be special, and they have certainly done that. Though they come from different families, they are sisters. Their relationship may not always be perfect, but they all have the same goal and they won’t let anything impede that or them.”
Jimenez said the seniors have undertaken a journey together in reaching this point.
“I feel like we’ve grown a lot together because I’ve played with these girls since middle school,” she said. “Getting to grow up with them and playing volleyball together has been a beautiful experience with this being our last year.”
The team’s goal includes finishing as the 32-5A champion with a 14-0 district record for the second straight season. The Lady Chargers can reach that objective with a victory Tuesday at Donna High.
Then it will be on to the Class 5A playoffs, which start Oct. 30.
“I’m going to remember this group for the rest of my life,” said Valdez, who after graduation has committed to play softball at UT-San Antonio. “We have a great bond with each other on and off the court. It’s an honor to play for this team.
“When we started the season we didn’t really know what to expect because all the teams are good in this district,” Valdez added. “It’s just been a matter of taking it match by match. We’re going to try to go very far in the playoffs.”
Added Cardenas, “Our seniors have a lot of heart for the game, and I believe that’s what makes us a dominant team in district. Playing together with the chemistry we have is a benefit that has helped us become district champs.
“This honestly feels amazing,” Cardenas added. “Having some (returning) girls who were used to playing together was a good feeling coming back this season. We were hoping we would win district again. I thought we would be in this position because we have some good girls, but I was also concerned because all the teams (in our district) are getting better and more challenging. Part of me was concerned and part of me was confident that we would do well, and we have.
“I love my team and being together with these girls. It’s such a good team.”
Estrada said the Lady Chargers’ unity among the seniors and everyone else on the squad is a big plus.
“It means a lot to me to play on this team because a lot of people don’t have this opportunity,” she said. “We’re so close-bonded and we’ve worked so hard to win district (again). It’s a very good feeling. On this team, everyone is a part of it and everyone is supportive. That’s something very important about this team.”
Angeles’ senior season of volleyball didn’t turn out the way she wanted because of her unexpected surgery back in August. Still, she’s been a presence on the bench all season and supporting her teammates in whatever way possible.
“It’s been bittersweet because I’ve seen the girls growing,” Angeles said. “Of course, I wanted to be a part of it, and in a way, I am because I’m there on the sidelines cheering them on. Seeing them grow and seeing what they’ve accomplished is great.
“We’ve played together a long time and you can see the growth the girls have made on the court,” she added. “I can tell from the bench that we trust each other, and I like seeing that. Being a part of this team is kind of like a second family for me. Going through everything with them is great and something I really enjoy.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess