By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
The success of the Brownsville Veterans Memorial volleyball team can be linked to the presence of Mariza Cardenas, the Lady Chargers’ 5-foot-10 1/2 senior middle blocker.
Cardenas, a key force in guiding the Lady Chargers to the state playoffs during each of her three seasons as a starter, is The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro MVP for 2014.
“I’m just so so happy I’ve had her on the team and that she’s worked as hard as she has,” Lady Chargers coach Lisa Mares said of her standout player at the net, who was named offensive player of the year in District 32-6A this season. “Mariza does play on club teams during the summer, but she’s always been here (at school) working out also. It shows a lot to the younger girls about working out and being here.
“I think that’s what has helped her become the MVP, because she really put a lot of work into it,” Mares added. “She’s been a role model for the younger girls. Along with Mariza, I have other upperclassmen who are the same way.”
The Lady Chargers went 34-12 this season, including a 13-1 mark in 32-6A, which gave them a second straight district co-championship with Los Fresnos. The Lady Chargers advanced three rounds in the playoffs this season and came within one victory of advancing to the regional tournament for the first time.
“It was great to be on this team,” said Cardenas, who hopes to play at the next level after graduation. “Like seasons past, we all just connected and played like sisters. We all love to play volleyball, and I think that’s what helped us bond.
“The year was phenomenal,” Cardenas added. “We played, we had fun and we did everything we wanted to do. Even though we didn’t make it to the regional tournament, we achieved a lot of new school records. It would have been amazing to go farther, but I guess that will be the challenge for next year.”
Cardenas led her team with 514 kills and 61 blocks. .
“My goal at the beginning of the season was to get 500 kills, and I did reach it,” Cardenassaid. “I just wanted to put my heart out there and play the best I could. It was an amazing season, and I think my stats show that. On Max Preps, it shows that I ranked No. 12 in 6A in Texasfor hitting percentage.”
Mares said Cardenasbrought quite a bit of energy to the team. She said sometimes Cardenasgot a little too carried away with her enthusiasm and wound up having to do 10 pushups during practice to rein in her focus.
“She’s sometimes all over the place with her energy (at practice), but it’s that energy that has led to her becoming a better player because she doesn’t let things get to her,” Mares said. “She doesn’t dwell on things like maybe other girls do. It’s been good for her to have that kind of personality because she keeps going (when things get rough). The difficult part is that sometimes she makes me laugh with all that energy.”
There have been some amusing moments the player and coach can always remember.
“When she was a sophomore, she was wearing her hair (tied) to the side, and I told her, ‘Youcan’t do that, you look too ‘girlie.’ You’re a middle blocker. You need to look more intimidating,’” Mares said. “Mariza said, ‘OK, Coach.’”
The Lady Chargers’ standout now hopes her playing career will continue in college.
“I would just say thank you to all my coaches and all the girls for making my high school volleyball experience here so awesome,” Cardenas said. “It’s been great. I couldn’t hope for a better group of girls to play with. And for the younger girls coming in, I would just hope they continue giving their best. It’s a young school that can go far.”
2014 Brownsville Herald
All-Metro Volleyball Team
Superlatives
Most Valuable Player
Mariza Cardenas, BrownsvilleVeterans Memorial
Defensive Player of the Year
Alex Moya, Los Fresnos
Newcomer of the Year
Simone Harry, Port Isabel
Coach of the Year
Becky Woods, Los Fresnos
First Team
Daniela Carrion, Rivera
Peyton Sales, Los Fresnos
Joseline Caraveo, Los Fresnos
Pam Ellis, Hanna
Sam Ibarra, Los Fresnos
Gabby Torres, Port Isabel
Second Team
Ashlynn Marchan, Pace
Briana Brown, BrownsvilleVeterans
Kelcie Swink, Port Isabel
Paloma Trevino, Lopez
Sabrina Garcia, Porter
Sarah Sandoval, BrownsvilleVeterans