Tuesday night’s match against Midland provided another frustrating example for Monterey’s second-year head coach. The Lady Plainsmen looked sharp in the opening set and flirted with winning it, but once they lost, they were dominated the rest of the way in a 25-21, 25-14, 25-12 defeat at home.

Monterey's Bianca Tagle digs up a Midland High ball Tuesday night at Monterey. Monterey lost to the match to Midland in three straight games. (John A. Bowersmith/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

“That’s been the story all season is that they don’t know how to win,” Stein said of his players. “They have the ability to win, but they don’t know that they can win.”

The Lady Plainsmen (7-17) led by as many as four points early in the first set, when sophomore Karolyne McMillian tallied half of her team-high six kills, and they later won three consecutive points to tie it at 21.

But Midland (24-5) quickly regained the momentum, getting a kill by Jodi Raughton and blocks by Janelle Gillean and Maddie Spinks, and then won the set on an error by Monterey.

“They picked it up when they had to,” Midland coach Terri McColloch said of her players.

It was an opportunity wasted for Monterey, which never led again. The Lady Bulldogs won the first and last five points of the second set — and got 13 of their first 16 points on Monterey errors — and they ran away with the third set behind a dominant stretch by Gillean.

Midland’s 5-foot-10 senior racked up eight of her match-high nine kills in the final set, including two with her left hand.

“She played the net well,” McColloch said. “She got lots of blocks, too, because they had over-passes on the net. Janelle’s a tremendous athlete.”

Gillean, Spinks and Stephanie Henry had two blocks apiece, and Henry added five kills for Midland. Claire Behrmann served for a team-high three aces.

Bianca LaFargue and Kristyn Wilson complemented Monterey’s attack with four kills apiece, and Wilson made the team’s only block. Setter Melissa Caskey dished out 10 assists for the Lady Plainsmen, who also got four digs and three service aces from Alyssa Bergman.

But Monterey’s individual performances weren’t enough to win the match or even a set, and they weren’t enough to satisfy Stein. He said the Lady Plainsmen have the potential to reach the postseason and win once they get there, but only if they work for it.

“I think we can be competitive this year, but they’ve got to commit to our training and they’ve got to commit to getting mentally tough,” Stein said. “If they can do that, I believe that they can do it. But the ball’s in their court at this point. They just have to own it a little bit more.”

To comment on this story:
adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com l 766-8733
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735

View Photo Album

Idalou and Littlefield scratched and clawed for 48 minutes, and that still wasn’t enough time to decide the non-district showdown between former district rivals.

Littlefield High School's Josh Merrifield (20) carries the ball during a game against Idalou High School in Idalou, Texas Friday Sept. 3, 2010. (Miranda Grubbs)

But fourth-ranked Littlefield dominated overtime, scoring a touchdown in only four plays while Idalou couldn’t record a first down in the same number of snaps. The result was a 28-21 victory for visiting Littlefield.

“Them being a hard-nosed football team like we are, it’s great,” Littlefield running back Patric Barrio said of his team’s third consecutive win against Idalou. “I’m a senior, and this is going to be one of my games of the year.”

Littlefield (2-0) trailed 14-7 after the first half, when it gained only three first downs and 81 total yards. But its offense, and specifically Barrio, came to life after the break.

Littlefield turned the seven-point deficit into a seven-point lead with a pair of methodical drives to start the second half. Barrio keyed the long marches, which took about seven minutes apiece, with a combined 21 carries for 97 yards. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound bruiser finished each drive with a 1-yard score.

Barrio, who also scored Littlefield’s touchdown in overtime, rushed for 146 of his 176 yards after halftime. He credited an improved performance by the offensive line, and so did Littlefield head coach Bryan Huseman.

“In the first half we were getting whooped up front,” Huseman said. “The second half I thought it was turned around, I really do. We kind of whooped them up front.”

Idalou’s run-heavy offense was nearly as effective, gaining 233 yards on the ground compared to 253 for Littlefield. Senior running back Nick Gary rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns, and Idalou (0-2) got most of its yards from another, more unlikely source.

Third-string quarterback Bryce Schilling, who was forced into action because of knee injuries to starter Alec Estes and backup Seth Reagan, sparked his team with 134 rushing yards and a long touchdown on 10 carries. He also completed four passes for 34 yards, bouncing back from an early interception to Littlefield’s Zach Johnson, who returned the pick 52 yards for the first score of the game.

“He’s a quality young man, and he stepped in there and made some big plays for us,” Idalou coach Johnny Taylor said of his junior signal caller. “There’s not very many (Class) 2A schools that can go to their third guy at quarterback and have somebody that performed like he did. I’m proud of the effort he gave and what he accomplished.”

But it wasn’t quite enough for Idalou, which suffered its second consecutive overtime loss to start the season. It was a “sick” feeling for the veteran coach Taylor, who couldn’t recall the last time Idalou started 0-2.

Taylor’s team got a late break in the fourth quarter when Barrio fumbled in Idalou territory, but two critical tackles by Littlefield’s Matthew Ingle resulted in a punt and a wasted opportunity.

The score remained tied at 21 until overtime, when Barrio scored to cap a quick drive on the opening possession. Idalou’s offense managed only 7 yards before a fourth-down run by Schilling was stopped by Littlefield’s Will McDowell.

“I knew our defense was going to step it up,” Barrio said. “That’s what our defense is there for, to stop them whenever we need them.”

To comment on this story:

adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com  766-8733

courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com  766-8735

WINNER 28, IDALOU 21 (OT)

Littlefield 7 0 7 7 7 — 28

Idalou 0 14 0 7 0 — 21

First Quarter

LIT—Zach Johnson 52 interception return (Jonathan Perez kick); 9:00

Second Quarter

IDA—Bryce Schilling 39 run (Nick Gary kick); 3:02

IDA—Gary 10 run (Gary kick); 0:22

Third Quarter

LIT—Patric Barrio 1 run (Perez kick); 5:08

Fourth Quarter

LIT—Barrio 1 run (Perez kick); 8:23

IDA – Gary 2 run (Gary kick); 7:00

Overtime

LIT—Barrio 2 run (Perez kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

LIT IDA

First downs 18 12

Rushes-yards 52-253 39-233

Passing yards 25 34

Comp.-att.-int. 2-9-0 4-10-1

Punts-avg. 3-36.7 4-35.8

Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-0

Penalties-yards 5-40 21-5

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Littlefield, Barrio 40-176, Tracy Huseman 7-72, Johnson 5-5; Idalou, Schilling 10-134, Gary 21-82, Kale Johnson 6-18, Aaron Ochoa 2-(-1).

PASSING: Littlefield, Huseman 2-9-0—25; Idalou, Schilling 4-10-1—34.

RECEIVING: Littlefield, Zach White 2-25; Idalou, Tyler Cook 1-24, Brent Turner 2-15, Gary 1-2.

RECORDS: Littlefield 2-0, Idalou 0-2.

As it turns out, though, the smash-mouth football teams just can’t stay away from each other.

Idalou and Littlefield, each with four victories against the other since 2002, were taken out of the same district in the latest realignment by the University Interscholastic League. But Idalou coach Johnny Taylor and Littlefield coach Bryan Huseman reluctantly agreed to continue their series.

They’ll play at 7:30 p.m. today at Idalou’s Olin Reddell Stadium, and next year at Littlefield’s Wildcat Stadium.

“It’s always such a big game, we kind of wanted to take a break, coach Huseman and I both,” Taylor said. “But it got to the point where both of us were looking for a game and we couldn’t find anybody else. We kind of got stuck with each other.”

The players in both locker rooms, and fans from both communities, are glad it worked out that way. The teams spent the last two years as District 3-2A foes, and on the football field, they have a long history of close, physical and intense games.

Along with the series being even during the last eight years, most of the games have been close, too. Each matchup from 2004 through 2008 was decided by seven points or fewer, with both of Idalou’s wins coming in overtime.

“We’ve got a pretty good rivalry with them,” said Littlefield running back Patric Barrio, who is 2-0 against the other Wildcats. “Idalou’s always a real good team, one of the best teams around here. They’re a good team just like we are.”

Taylor and Huseman, who have been close friends since coaching together during Taylor’s first season at Idalou in 1989, also are glad to be seeing each other again. Each team views the other as a measuring stick, so squaring off in the second game of the season will give each an idea of where it stands and how it can improve before district play.

And even though they tend to wear each other out, Taylor said emotional games like the ones against Littlefield are the “reason you play Friday night football.”

“Now that we’re doing it, I’m really fired up about it,” Huseman said. “We’ve got to play a good quality opponent just to see where we’re at right now.”

Littlefield (1-0) has won the last two matchups and four of the last five, and it figures to have the edge again today. It’s ranked fourth in the state in Class 2A and is coming off a 50-6 drubbing of Brownfield in last week’s season opener.

Idalou (0-1), meanwhile, is still reeling from its opener against Cooper. The Wildcats held a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter and a 342-195 advantage in total yards, but the Pirates roared back late and claimed a 29-23 win in overtime.

Idalou hopes to vent its frustrations in its home opener today, and redeem itself from last year’s 19-point loss to Littlefield.

“I don’t know the last time we went 0-2, so we’re definitely coming out swinging,” Idalou center Logan Mulanax said. “We’re ready. We’re not going to take it easy by no means.”

To comment on this story:
adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com • 766-8733
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com • 766-8735

The junior outside hitter registered nine of Lubbock Christian High’s 22 service aces using the topspin-heavy style, which was especially effective at the end of a 25-23, 17-25, 28-26, 25-17 victory against the Lubbock Titans at the Highland Baptist Family Life Center.

Lubbock Titan Amy Bridges tries to tip the ball past Lubbock Christian High School's Jenny Hall (14) during a volleyball match in Lubbock, Texas Tuesday, Aug.31, 2010. (Miranda Grubbs)

Mack tallied four consecutive aces to give the Lady Eagles match point, and another tough serve on the next point set up an easy put-away by Kara Stephenson.

“She’s a very strong server, and to have that kind of jump serve is very vital,” Lubbock Christian coach Brittany Roberts said. “She’s doing a really good job, and every practice she’s constantly improving.”

Mack also led the Lady Eagles’ attack with 14 kills, but she wasn’t the only weapon utilized by setter Bailey Scarborough. Jenny Hall and Alyssa Timmons added six kills apiece — Hall also had eight aces from the service line — and the left-handed Stephenson had five kills and four blocks.

Brenna Adkins made a team-high six blocks at the net, and libero Summer Petrie paced the back-row defense with nine digs.

“We’re a very versatile team all the way around,” Roberts said. “We’re constantly working on new approaches and new attacks.”

Lubbock Titan Amanda Morris passes the ball during a volleyball match against Lubbock Christian High School in Lubbock, Texas Tuesday, Aug.31, 2010. (Miranda Grubbs)

Lubbock Christian (12-7) also needed a strong will to hold off the Titans, a feisty home-schooled team playing on its home court. The Lady Eagles lost the first five points of the match but stormed back to win the opening set with late runs of five and six points, and they showed similar grit in the other sets they won.

In the third set, which included 11 ties, Lubbock Christian overcome a late three-point deficit and two set points for the Titans. The Lady Eagles trailed 15-10 in the fourth set but won 15 of the final 17 points, beginning with a seven-point spurt.

“A lot of games we don’t really focus in the beginning,” Mack said, “but in the middle we start playing as a team and then we pull through at the end.”

Titans coach Michele Brooks said her team needs to work on pushing through under pressure, and it didn’t help that libero Rachel Brooks, the coach’s daughter, was sidelined with an injury.

But the Titans, who hadn’t lost a non-tournament match until Tuesday, gave themselves a chance by playing well in most phases of the game. They served for 11 aces while making only five errors from the line, setters Kaitlyn Jones and Karli Thornton combined for 26 assists, and Amy Bridges and Amanda Morris teamed up to make 20 digs.

Bridges and Morris also led the Titans’ attack. Morris tallied a match-high 16 kills to go along with two blocks and two aces, and Bridges added nine kills and five aces.

“They’re very consistent, and they’re very smart,” Michele Brooks said. “Whenever they go up for a ball, you can pretty much guarantee they’re going to get it.”

To comment on this story:
adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com l 766-8733
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735

The Tigers did that on Saturday, however, which players said is an encouraging sign as they wrap up their tournament season and begin gearing up for District 3-4A play.

Frenship bounced back from its only loss of the weekend and withstood a gritty performance by El Paso Riverside to win 25-18, 21-25, 25-23 in the third-place match of its host tournament.

“We haven’t really been fighting that well, it seems like. We’ll start playing good but we can’t finish it,” said Frenship senior Maddie Johnson, who helped her team pull through with seven of her match-high 15 kills in the final set. “So I’m glad we actually finished that one. I thought we played good and fought all the way through.”

The Tigers (17-4), who on Tuesday won the first two sets against Monahans only to lose the best-of-five match, were on the verge of suffering another come-from-ahead loss against Riverside. The Lady Rangers (9-4) made a late rally in a first-set loss, evened the best-of-three match and stole the momentum with a strong finish to the second set, and then pushed Frenship to the limit in the decisive third set.

Riverside rebounded from an early deficit to lead by as many as two points, and tied Frenship at 20, 21, 22 and 23.

But the Tigers showed some mettle of their own. Johnson gave them match point with a powerful swing, and fellow senior Kacey Deterding followed with another to clinch the win.

Deterding finished with 12 kills, and she and Johnson combined for eight blocks and four service aces.

“They had those two hitters that we just couldn’t stop,” said Riverside coach Merle Heimer, who got a combined 21 kills from Lauren Aldana and Marisol Macias. “I kept telling them, ‘If we could get up and block a few it would change the match around,’ but we just couldn’t stop them. They were the difference in the game.”

Sophomore Chelsey Driskill was another weapon for Frenship. She tallied 10 kills, half of which came in the final set, and the Tigers’ other ace. Setter Kristina Gafford dished out 25 assists and made three blocks at the net.

Frenship coach Jennifer McCully said her team needed the strong and versatile attack to make up for Riverside’s scrappiness on defense.

“I think Riverside moved better on the back row than we did, and that kind of balanced things out,” McCully said. “They might not have the big hitters, but they definitely have the ball control.”

Deterding and Darbie Walker made 10 digs apiece for Frenship’s back-row defense, while Johnson and libero Malori Maddox each had nine.

The win capped a successful tournament season for the Tigers, who finished second at events in Monahans and Graham.

Maddie Johnson and Kristina Gafford were all-tournament selections. Earlier Saturday, Frenship beat El Paso Burges (25-18, 25-11) in the quarterfinals and lost to Coronado (25-12, 25-14) in the semifinals.

The Tigers were still adjusting to a new lineup they began using on Thursday, though, and they’ve got more time to improve before their District 3-4A opener on Sept. 11.

“What we need is a couple more weeks of practice that I think can help get us prepared, but I like where we’re at,” McCully said. “I think we’re going to be OK when district rolls around.”

To comment on this story:

adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com  766-8733

courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com  766-8735

The Lady Bulldogs beat Coronado during the first week of the volleyball season, they’re ranked fifth in Class 3A according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association, and they arrived at the Frenship Tournament on Friday with one loss in 21 matches.

Coronado didn’t quite measure up once again, losing 27-25, 25-18 against Wylie in the Blue Bracket final, but it wasn’t all discouraging. The Lady Mustangs nearly won the opening set and led midway through the second before the Lady Bulldogs’ resiliency and all-around consistency prevailed.

“When you’re talking the top four of five teams in every classification, they can comepte at any level,” Coronado coach Chad Jones said. “So going out and battling with a team like that, it’s good for us. I don’t think it helped us that we lost, but I think it’s good that we play teams at that level.”

The loss capped an otherwise successful day for Coronado, which swept Brownfield (25-13, 25-9) and El Paso Socorro (25-10, 25-13) to reach the bracket final. The Lady Mustangs (15-9) will open play in the Gold Bracket at 9 a.m. today against Cooper (12-8), and two more wins would put them in the tournament’s championship match — possibly against Wylie (22-1).

Wylie coach LeAnn Thomsen, whose team has won tournaments in Abilene and Granbury and was undefeated until losing to Midland on Tuesday, hinted that she’d like for that to happen.

“Hopefully we’ll both keep winning,” she said. “I like playing matches like that, and I know coach Jones probably does, too.”

The teams couldn’t have been more evenly matched in the opening set. The Lady Bulldogs raced to a 6-1 lead, but Zoe Washington singlehandedly erased the deficit.

The 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter forced a sideout with Coronado’s first kill of the match, then recorded four consecutive aces with a powerful jump serve.

“It was just one of those moments where I had to step up,” said Washington, who led the Lady Mustangs with four kills, 10 digs and the four aces.

The teams went back and forth from there, tying six more times with neither leading by more than three points during the rest of the set. The Lady Bulldogs won it on consecutive kills by Natalie Davis and Kylie Jenkins.

“At the end of a tight game like that,” Jones said, “obviously they’re going to carry the momentum over to the next game.”

The Lady Bulldogs did, but not initially. Coronado jumped out to a 4-2 lead, fell behind 11-6 and stormed back with a five-point run, taking a 14-13 lead on Megan Granado’s third ace of the match.

But Thomsen called a timeout and reiterated the importance of passing from the back row, and Wylie took over from there by winning 12 of the final 16 points. The run started with one of Bailey Wilson’s match-high eight kills, and Coronado couldn’t return her jump serves on each of the next three points.

“(Granado) has a really good floater serve, and we struggled with that a little bit,” Thomsen said. “But once I called timeout and just said, ‘You can pass the ball,’ I think we got our confidence back.”

Jenkins and Davis complemented Wilson with a combined 11 kills, and the Lady Bulldogs recorded seven aces while committing one error from the service line.

Stephanie Johns matched Washington with four kills, and Lizzy Dimba added two kills and two blocks for the Lady Mustangs. Granado led the team with 12 digs defensively, and setters Kyleigh Lucia and Heather Choat combined for 15 assists.

“We could have done better,” Washington said, “but we let down sometimes.”

To comment on this story:

adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com  766-8733

courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com  766-8735

The Lady Westerners were dominated in the first two sets, tallying more errors than points, and faced a 20-9 deficit in the third set. Then, suddenly, they played like a completely different team.

Lubbock High rallied to win 17 of the next 21 points, closing the set with a five-point run and extending the match. The comeback sparked an exhuberant celebration by the Lady Westerners, who eventually lost 25-10, 25-14, 24-26, 25-13 in their home opener at Westerner Arena.

“For (the players), I would say it was a small victory,” said Lubbock High coach Matthew Leesman, who has one senior on his roster. “I think that’s the baby steps we’re taking right now as a group. I want us to put that all together and culminate into a big ‘W.’”

The third-set comeback, and a six-kill performance by freshman Madeline McKay, were about the only bright spots for Lubbock High (3-14). The visting Lady Bulldogs (12-5) never trailed in the first two sets, pulling away early in both, and regained control in the fourth set by winning five of the first six points.

Plainview got a match-high nine kills from setter Emily Welch, six coming on well-timed dumps in the middle of the Lubbock High defense, and a combined 17 kills from Bailey Davis, Kacy Richburg and Marisa Gamboa. Richburg and Davis, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, also combined for 13 blocks.

“If we will use all our hitters, it is very hard to read what we’re going to do,” Plainview coach Torri Hatch said. “We do have a lot of power hitters.”

Welch, the coach’s daughter, also dished out 16 assists. Brittany Ramirez made 16 digs to pace the Lady Bulldogs’ defense, and Amanda Hinojosa served for three aces.

McKay led the attack for Lubbock High, which also got five kills apiece from Marcie Kissko and Catherine Wiechmann, and four kills from Priyanka Shome. Wiechmann also had two aces from the service line, and Kissko made 11 digs on the back row.

“We have moments when we’re wide awake,” Leesman said. “Otherwise, it’s like a crazy train almost and we’re sleeping at the wheel. If we would just stay awake, we have the talent to play.”

To comment on this story:
adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com l 766-8733
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735

At least it feels that way to head coach Chad Jones.

Coronado's Kyleigh Lucia digs up a Lubbock High ball Tuesday night at Lubbock High. Coronado beat Lubbock 3 games to 1. (John A. Bowersmith/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

The 2010 Lady Mustangs remind Jones of the 2007 team, which was the last Coronado squad to reach the playoffs. And that team didn’t just qualify for the postseason; it advanced to the Region I-5A quarterfinals.

“I look for this team to play at the same level as that team did,” Jones said. “We scrimmaged Hereford and Bushland (last) Friday and competed pretty well. I told the girls the last time we did well at the Hereford scrimmage, we went to the regional quarterfinals. I’m hoping there’s some correlation between that year and this year.”

In at least one way, there already is. The Lady Mustangs are back in a five-team district for the first time since 2007, with traditional rivals Lubbock High, Monterey, Amarillo and Tascosa.

Four of those teams will advance to the postseason. The last two years, when District 2-5A included 10 teams, Coronado finished in a tie for seventh place and in fifth.

Jones said there are no guarantees in a smaller district, though. Amarillo has won four consecutive Class 5A state championships, Jones said Tascosa appears to be “extremely good,” and he also said Lubbock High and Monterey should be improved under second-year head coaches and with most of their key players back from last year.

“We still have to compete and play hard,” Jones said. “It’s not going to be a gimme or a cakewalk into the playoffs just because we went down to five teams.”

Returning to the postseason is the Lady Mustangs’ primary goal, but Jones said the team also hopes to compete for its first district championship since 2004. Coronado has the pieces in place to make a run at it.

The Lady Mustangs return talented hitters in Stephanie Johns, Zoe Washington and sophomore twins Lizzy and Suzzy Dimba, along with Heather Choat, one of last year’s starting setters. Lead defensive players Meagan Granado and Kyleigh Lucia, who also will set, are back as well.

Coronado also has some promising newcomers in sophomore outside hitter Kalani Giddens, whose older sister, Kayleigh, helped the team reach the state-championship match in 2004, and junior defensive specialist Lani Munoz.

“The key parts of our game are all still in place,” Jones said. “Our offense is going to be able to pick up where we left off, and we’re looking to do the same thing on defense. I think we’re going to be a little quicker and a little more athletic than we were last year.”

To comment on this story:

adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com  766-8733

courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com  766-8735

Coronado

■ Head coach: Chad Jones (fifth season)

■ 2009 record: 17-20, 10-8 in District 2-5A (fifth place)

■ Top returning players: MB Stephanie Johns, Sr.; S Heather Choat, Sr.; OH Zoe Washington, Sr.; MB Suzzy Dimba, So.; MB Lizzy Dimba, So.; S Kyleigh Lucia, Jr.; L Megan Granado, Sr.

■ Top newcomers: OH Kalani Giddens, So.; DS Lani Munoz, Jr.

■ Outlook: The last two seasons have been difficult for tradition-rich Coronado, which fell short of the playoffs in the 10-team District 2-5A. The league is back to five teams now, and Coronado figures to be a contender. The Lady Mustangs return several offensive weapons in Johns, Washington and the Dimba sisters, and Choat is back after sharing the setting duties last season. “It’s nice when the core of our offense is back,” Jones said. “We don’t have to make a lot of changes.” Coronado also should be sound defensively, because Granado and Lucia return as proven back-row players.

Lubbock High

■ Head coach: Matthew Leesman (second season)

■ 2009 record: 8-29, 0-18 in District 2-5A (10th place)

■ Top returning players: S/OH Catherine Wiechmann, Jr.; OH Marcie Kissko, So.; MB Priyanka Shome, Jr.; S Lorena Ibarra, Jr.; MB/OH Heather Cox, Jr.

■ Top newcomers: MB/OH Madeline McKay, Fr.; MB Madison Scheppler, So.

■ Outlook: Despite a third consecutive winless district campaign in 2009, Lubbock High showed signs of improvement under Leesman. He wants the Lady Westerners to take the next step this year, which means ending the drought in district play and possibly earning their first playoff berth. “If there’s an opening, we’ve definitely got to smash through it,” Leesman said. “And I think this team’s capable of doing that. I think we might surprise a few people this year.” Lubbock High returns its floor leader in Wiechmann, who doubles as a hitter and setter, while Shome, Kissko and McKay also are offensive weapons. Kissko also is a key defensive player for the Lady Westerners, who will rely on sophomore libero Maggie Nolan as well.

Monterey

■ Head coach: Adrian Stein (second season)

■ 2009 record: 11-26, 3-15 in District 2-5A (ninth place)

■ Top returning players: MB Kristyn Wilson, Sr.; OH Maegan Bridges, Jr.; MB Kim Guesnier, Jr.; OH Alyssa Bergman, Jr.; S Melissa Caskey, So.

■ Top newcomers: L/DS Jessica Garza, Sr.; OH Mikeah Mills, Sr.

■ Outlook: Monterey made its only two playoff appearances in 2006 and 2007, when it finished fourth in the five-team District 2-5A. The league once again consists of five teams, and Stein expects the Lady Plainsmen to be a postseason qualifier. He also wants them to record their first postseason win. “We’re trying to start something here at Monterey,” he said. “I fully expect that this team surprises some people this year.” The Lady Plainsmen no longer have 6-foot-5 middle blocker Kellyn Schneider, but they return strong hitters in Guesnier, Wilson and Bridges, and Stein has high hopes for Karolyne McMillan. Another sophomore, Caskey, is taking over the setter role, and Stein said Garza and Bergman will anchor Monterey’s back-row defense.

Frenship

■ Head coach: Jennifer McCully (eighth season)

■ 2009 record: 19-16, 6-2 in District 4-4A (second place, bi-district qualifier)

■ Top returning players: MB Kacey Deterding, Sr.; OH Maddie Johnson, Sr.

■ Top newcomer: L Malori Maddox, So.

■ Outlook: In each of the last six seasons, Frenship has been eliminated from the playoffs by either Dumas, Hereford or Randall. The Tigers will now compete with those teams in District 3-4A, and McCully welcomes the challenge. “If your ultimate goal is to compete as one of the best teams in the state, why not compete with them in district?” she said. “I think we’re going to be able to hold our own.” Frenship has three potentially dominant hitters in Deterding, Johnson and Chelsey Driskill, while Marisa Rodriguez and Taylor Wallace also will contribute offensively. McCully also has high hopes for Kristina Gafford, who is taking over the setter’s role, and Maddox will be the Tigers’ mainstay on the back row.

Cooper

■ Head coach: Courtney Pesterfield (third season)

■ 2009 record: 24-14, 8-2 in District 1-3A (second place, regional quarterfinalist)

■ Top returning players: MB Brittany Ruble, Sr.; S Katelyn Stewart, So.; MB Sarah Robinson, Sr.; OH Kaitlyn Vinson, Sr.; OH Whitney Ruble, Sr.; OH Savannah Arendell, Sr.

■ Top newcomers: DS Audra Becker, Sr.; DS Susan Hart, Jr.; L Kati Macha, So.; S Torey Kay, Fr.

■ Outlook: Cooper’s goal this year is to advance at least one round further than it did in 2009, which would put the Lady Pirates in the Region I-3A tournament for the first time. And they happen to be hosting the event. “It would be an awesome deal to be playing on our home court,” Pesterfield said. “That’s definitely the goal.” Cooper also hopes to win the District 2-3A title, and it should have a good chance despite an ankle injury to setter Stewart. Pesterfield expects the talented sophomore to be back before district play, and freshman Kay will gain valuable experience in the interim. The Lady Pirates also have a deep hitting corps that includes Brittany Ruble, The A-J’s All-City Player of the Year in 2009.

Estacado

■ Head coach: Mike Moffitt (first season)

■ 2009 record: 12-19, 4-6 in District 1-3A (fourth place)

■ Top returning players: S Nicole Cooks, Sr.; OH Deirdre Foree, Sr.; OH Tiyanna Thompson, Sr.

■ Top newcomers: S Tramesha Wilson, So.; MB Tierra Roddy, Jr.

■ Outlook: Moffitt, who spent the last eight years as an assistant coach at the college level, isn’t sure how Estacado stacks up with the rest of District 2-3A. But he’s determined to make the Lady Matadors a fundamentally sound squad, and he likes what he’s seen so far. “It’s been an improvement daily, and we’re on pace with what I want us to do,” he said. “I just have no idea how that’s going to translate into a record.” If the Lady Matadors can improve on the last three years, when they finished fourth in their districts, they might reach the playoffs for the first time since 1997. Moffitt said hitters Foree and Thompson will score plenty of points, and Roddy has shown potential as a blocker. Cooks and Wilson will share the setting duties, and Estacado has a handful of back-row players.

Shallowater

■ Head coach: Amy Mangum (fourth season)

■ 2009 record: 21-18, 2-2 in District 3-2A (second place, regional quarterfinalist)

■ Top returning players: S Madison McIntire, Jr.; OH Shayna Conner, Sr.; OH Kayla Koerner, Sr.; L Kenzi Callaway, Jr.

■ Top newcomer: MB Rebekah Jones, So.

■ Outlook: Shallowater is coming off an appearance in the regional quarterfinals, and it’s reached the playoffs in all three of Mangum’s previous seasons. The Fillies are moving up to Class 3A this season, but Mangum expects the postseason streak to continue. “I think it’ll be more of a challenge, but I think the girls are ready for it,” she said. “They’ve worked really hard to be ready for the season.” The Fillies must replace all-state middle blocker Brittney Scaff, but Mangum said Jones and Koerner have been strong hitters so far and Tyka Dippery has been a defensive force at the net. She also said McIntire is making a smooth transition into the starting setter’s role, while Callaway and Erica Quebe are expected to pace the back row.

Trinity Christian

■ Head coach: Tyler Neal (fifth season)

■ 2009 record: 14-20, 5-7 in TAPPS District 1-4A (fifth place)

■ Top returning players: OH Kristin Fellows, Sr.; OH Grace McGinnis, Sr.; MB Kailey Killough, So.; S Linsey Wall, Jr.

■ Top newcomers: MB Taylor Andrews, Jr.; OH Meagan Conroy, So.; S Hannah Kirkpatrick, Jr.; OH Meredith Henson, So.

■ Outlook: A year after missing the playoffs for the first time under Neal, Trinity Christian is determined to turn things around in 2010. Neal said the Lady Lions have the ability to do just that. “Top to bottom,” he said, “I think we have one of the strongest teams we’ve had since I’ve been at Trinity.” The Lady Lions have a bevy of offensive weapons in Conroy, Fellows, Killough and McGinnis, each of whom stand at least 5-foot-10. Kirkpatrick and Wall will handle the setting duties, while seniors Logann Lamb and Bri Moss will be key defensive players. Trinity had a fairly strong start, taking Denver City, the eighth-ranked team in the state in Class 2A, to five sets in Tuesday’s season-opening loss on the road.

Lubbock Christian

■ Head coach: Brittany Roberts (first season)

■ 2009 record: 26-14, 4-2 in TAPPS District 1-3A (second place, area qualifier)

■ Top returning players: MB Brenna Adkins, Jr.; L Avery Branson, Jr.; OH Jenny Hall, Sr.; OH KK Mack, Jr.; OH Summer Petrie, Jr.; DS Sydney Roberts, Jr.; S Bailey Scarborough, Sr.; MB Kara Stephenson, Sr.; OH Alyssa Timmons, Jr.

■ Top newcomer: OH Jordan Sheets, Sr.

■ Outlook: Lubbock Christian is entering its first season under Brittany Roberts, a former Lubbock Christian University player who inherits a team coming off an appearance in the second round of the TAPPS 3A playoffs. With some key returnees at the net and on the back row, the Lady Eagles are eyeing to return to the postseason. “The girls are looking really sharp, and they’re coming together,” Roberts said. “I have high hopes for them this season.” The setter Scarborough is back as the Lady Eagles’ floor leader, while Mack, Stephenson and Hall, who’s injured to start the year, will lead the attack. Branson, the returning libero, and Sydney Roberts will be Lubbock Christian’s leading defensive players.

Compiled by Adam Zuvanich

Then Cooper’s debut match took a dramatic turn for the worse.

The Tigers roared back and dominated the rest of the match, pulling away for a 20-25, 25-10, 25-17, 25-12 victory at the Cooper gym. And along the way, the Lady Pirates lost one of their best players.

Sophomore setter Katelyn Stewart, the newcomer of the year in District 1-3A last season, went down with a sprained right ankle early in the third set and did not return.

“You don’t want to say, ‘Anybody but her,’ or anything like that, but your setter’s like your quarterback,” said Cooper coach Courtney Pesterfield, who expects Stewart to return fairly soon. “They run the offense. They run everything. When you lose your only setter, it’s kind of hard to come back from that.”

Pesterfield praised senior Audra Becker, who recorded two service aces shortly after replacing Stewart, for filling in admirably. But the Lady Pirates (0-1) appeared rattled and out of sync after the injury, holding only one short-lived lead throughout the rest of the match.

The Tigers (1-0) deserve just as much credit for changing the course of the match. They gradually found their groove after a sloppy start, and their play at the net was superior.

Kacey Deterding recorded match highs of 15 kills and seven blocks, while fellow senior Maddie Johnson added 11

kills. Chelsey Driskill, a 6-foot junior, chipped in six kills and two blocks.

“I think it was just jitterbugs,” Deterding said of Frenship’s shaky start. “But we got them out in the second game.”

Frenship racked up 13 service aces as a team, two of which came from first-year setter Kristina Gafford. She also was a key part of the Tigers’ attack and defense, recording match highs of 26 assists and 12 digs.

Gafford ended the match with one of her two kills.

“She’s worked hard over the summer and over the spring, and she’s really taken over the offense,” Frenship coach Jennifer McCully said. “We’ve quickened our offense a little bit from last year, and I think our ball control is better, too.”

Cooper got 19 assists from Stewart before she left the court, while new libero Kati Macha made 11 digs. Brittany Ruble, Sarah Robinson and Kaitlyn Vinson combined for 15 kills, and Ruble’s three early aces helped lead to the opening-set win.

The Lady Pirates only played well in spurts, though, and they committed 16 service errors.

“We started great. I was really happy with the first game,” Pesterfield said. “But I think we just got a little relaxed and let them start making plays, and we definitely started making errors.”

To comment on this story:

adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com • 766-8733

courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com • 766-8735

WOODROW — Cooper’s volleyball season got off to a rousing start Tuesday night. The Lady Pirates handled visiting Frenship fairly handily in the opening set, using a strong service game and a balanced attack.

Then Cooper’s debut match took a dramatic turn for the worse.

The Tigers roared back and dominated the rest of the match, pulling away for a 20-25, 25-10, 25-17, 25-12 victory at the Cooper gym. And along the way, the Lady Pirates lost one of their best players.

Sophomore setter Katelyn Stewart, the newcomer of the year in District 1-3A last season, went down with a sprained right ankle early in the third set and did not return.

“You don’t want to say, ‘Anybody but her,’ or anything like that, but your setter’s like your quarterback,” said Cooper coach Courtney Pesterfield, who expects Stewart to return fairly soon. “They run the offense. They run everything. When you lose your only setter, it’s kind of hard to come back from that.”

Pesterfield praised senior Audra Becker, who recorded two service aces shortly after replacing Stewart, for filling in admirably. But the Lady Pirates (0-1) appeared rattled and out of sync after the injury, holding only one short-lived lead throughout the rest of the match.

The Tigers (1-0) deserve just as much credit for changing the course of the match. They gradually found their groove after a sloppy start, and their play at the net was superior.

Kacey Deterding recorded match highs of 15 kills and seven blocks, while fellow senior Maddie Johnson added 11 kills. Chelsey Driskill, a 6-foot junior, chipped in six kills and two blocks.

“I think it was just jitterbugs,” Deterding said of Frenship’s shaky start. “But we got them out in the second game.”

Frenship racked up 13 service aces as a team, two of which came from first-year setter Kristina Gafford. She also was a key part of the Tigers’ attack and defense, recording match highs of 26 assists and 12 digs.

Gafford ended the match with one of her two kills.

“She’s worked hard over the summer and over the spring, and she’s really taken over the offense,” Frenship coach Jennifer McCully said. “We’ve quickened our offense a little bit from last year, and I think our ball control is better, too.”

Cooper got 19 assists from Stewart before she left the court, while new libero Kati Macha made 11 digs. Brittany Ruble, Sarah Robinson and Kaitlyn Vinson combined for 15 kills, and Ruble’s three early aces helped lead to the opening-set win.

The Lady Pirates only played well in spurts, though, and they committed 16 service errors.

“We started great. I was really happy with the first game,” Pesterfield said. “But I think we just got a little relaxed and let them start making plays, and we definitely started making errors.”

To comment on this story:

adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com 766-8733

courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com 766-8735