Volleyball will soon be underway in Texas, and it could be a good year for a number of Southern Denton County Schools.
Perennial powerhouse Marcus looks to continue on with the success it enjoyed in 2010, and coach Cristie Liles said she believes she has the team to do it.
“I’m excited about the upcoming season and the team’s potential,” Liles said.
Marcus finished last season with a record of 43-6, won a district championship and advanced to the regional finals.
Liles said she has a number of players she expects to lead the way for the Marauders this season, including Lauren Douglass, SR. Middle Blocker, District 8-5A Offensive Player of the Year; Liz Fortado, SR. Right Side, 1st Team All-District; and Regan McGuire, JR. Middle Blocker, District 8-5A Blocker of the Year.
“To make the playoffs, we will need to be consistent and take one match at a time,” Liles said.
Liles is in her 10th year as head coach of the Marcus volleyball team.
She expects Hebron, Plano West and Allen to be the teams to beat in district this year.
The Flower Mound volleyball team looks to rebound from a 3-7 season in 2010 where it missed the playoffs.
Look for Outside Hitter Briana Allmon, and Jordan Anderson to be among the team leaders for the Jaguars this season.
Coach Marci Brinkman could not be reached for comment.
For Guyer coach Addie Mack, her first season at the helm for the Wildcats could prove challenging, but she believes that Guyer could vie for a post-season berth in 2011 at the same time.
“To make the playoffs, we are going to have to work incredibly hard, focusing our entire body, mind, and spirit into reaching this goal,” Mack said. “With the majority of my players being returners, the girls have the experience to excel in the upcoming season.”
Mack said she expects Sarah Simpson, Maddie Mayer, Madison Walford, and Brittany Land to be among the team leaders and make an impact this season, and said no single team stands out to her in the district as the team to beat.
“We will treat every team equally,” Mack said. “We are going after every team in our district, none more than the other.”
Moving to 3A, the Argyle volleyball team won a district championship in 2010, going undefeated in district competition and advancing three rounds in the playoffs.
Look for last season’s Co-District MVP Blair O’Brien, District 9-3A Newcomer of the Year Sarah Irons, Defensive Player of the Year Sawyer Camillo and first team all-district selections Rachel Wilkes and Jennifer Speer to lead the way for the Lady Eagles this season.
Coach Clarke Oberle could not be reached for comment.
Over at Liberty Christian, first year head coach Kimberly Weaver is liking what she has seen from her squad so far as well.
“We are entering into the 2011 season with great excitement and high expectations,” Weaver said.
“With a core group of returning seniors, our court experience will be our strength. As a coaching staff, we are confident our newcomers will bring a solid combination of talent and leadership.”
Weaver said she is impressed by a couple of her players whom she expects to lead the way for the Warriors in 2011.
“We are looking to Sophie Asprey to have another successful season running our offense,” Weaver said. “She recorded 451 assists in 2010, and also contributed 138 digs. Betsy Smith will again be a large part of our offense.
“She recorded 166 kills, 30 aces, and 168 digs. Cassie Okland will also be critical to our success this season. In 2010, she recorded 52 kills, 13 aces, and 142 digs.”
Weaver said she expects Bishop Lynch and Ursuline to be among the teams to beat in district this year, and to make a run at the post-season, the Liberty coach feels it will take a few things from her team.
“We are in an extremely tough district, and understand that we must compete at a very high level in order to be successful,” Weaver said. “If we can maintain a higher sideout percentage than our opponents, we will be in a very good position.
“We will also fight to control the number of digs and kills our opponents are able to produce against us. Ensuring a low percentage of reception errors and a high percentage of swings will allow us to score enough points to win.”
Liberty returns five starters from last year’s squad.
