MCISD 24-25 Volleyball Preview
To the joy of thousands, perhaps millions, of people across Texas, the UIL 24-25 Volleyball season officially began on Monday, August 5th, 2024. RGV volleyball teams reported to fall camp, ready to start the newest chapters of their volleyball stories. Two teams began their journey with one indelible truth in mind: that success will only be attainable through the other’s ruin.
So is the nature of competition. No love is lost between the Mission Lady Eagles and Mission Veterans Lady Patriots when that white leather ball crosses the net. But both teams competing in the same district? That adds an extra layer to the rivalry.
Progress Times photo by Joe Vela
Neither won a district championship last year. However, the Lady Patriots have historically dominated district play under head coach Diana Lerma, winning 18 district championships in her 22 seasons. And last year, the Mission High Lady Eagles posted a .800 winning percentage against teams in District 30-5A, the district the UIL realigned them into this year.
Two teams connected by history and tradition, linked by one two-mile stretch of road, and on two separate paths, endeavoring to accomplish one identical goal with two distinct outcomes: Victory or Defeat.
Here’s a preview of both teams:
Mission High
Coach: Edna Clemons
23-24 Record: (17-12, 4-5)
23-24 Season Result: 31 6A Fourth Place, Bi-District Finalists
Notable Returners: Kayla Alaniz (12), Vanessa Espinoza (12), Joselyn Rodriguez (12)
Last season, the Lady Eagles snuck into the playoffs after securing District 31 6A’s final postseason spot. Only a few months removed from realignment, the Lady Eagles were reclassified and placed in District 30-5A. At first glance, many may have assumed that was a death knell, but not for the Lady Eagles. That’s because they went 4-1 last year in matches against teams from District 30-5A, with their only loss coming against Laredo Martin. But the Lady Eagles aren’t overconfident. They know this year will be a struggle.
“Having come from a 6-team district into a 9-team district presents challenges of a short pre-season and having to play more district games,” Lady Eagles’ head coach Edna Clemons said when asked about realignment.
The Lady Eagles are playing with house money this year. They will be viewed as underdogs all year, to their benefit and detriment of their opponents. They began striking confusion and fear into their rivals this offseason as they won numerous off-season games against teams that overlooked them, a continuing trend from last season.
“Usually, we have this underdog role, like people don’t believe in us. So, when it came to the offseason, I just told my team to play hard. This is summer league. We’re going to fix mistakes and go with all of it. So, beating those teams in the summer was a really big confidence boost for us, and it helped us progress more into this season,” senior hitter Vanessa Espinoza said when asked about the Lady Eagles’ offseason.
The Lady Eagles lack height, but they play with ferocity and speed. They have a variety of hitters ready to kill anything in sight and a back row that won’t quit.
“Luckily, we have speed. Our defensive coverage in the back is really fast, and we don’t necessarily need a block as much as we did last year,” senior setter Joselyn Rodriguez said when describing the Lady Eagles’ strategy for this year.
The excitement surrounding the Lady Eagles’ program and the challenges that await them is evident. Although their new district home is stacked, they’re ready for the opportunity to tame it.
“District Champs is the goal. That’s what I’m excited for,” Coach Clemons excitedly said.
The Lady Eagles will battle the Valley View Lady Tigers in their season opener at home next Tuesday, August 13th. They will begin their district slate on the road against the Laredo Martin Lady Tigers on Saturday, September 7th.
Mission Veterans Lady Patriots
Coach: Diana Lerma
23-24 Record: (23-14, 10-4)
23-24 Season Result: 30-5A Third Place, Bi-District Finalist
Notable Returners: Sophia Pacheco (12), Heather Flores (12), Monika Regalado (12), Kariana Garza (12)
The Lady Patriots chartered unfamiliar territory in 23-24. Their streak of 10 straight district championships ended as they finished outside the top two in district play for the first time in over a decade. However, under legendary head coach Diana Lerma, the Lady Patriots hope to return to the championship conversation after reloading and recharging this offseason.
Last season, the Lady Patriots finished six games above .500 in the district. Still, they failed to accomplish their goal of winning the district title, which is almost a birthright for Lady Patriots’ volleyball players. This offseason, the Lady Patriots focused on rectifying that outcome by using a singular word to motivate their journey: Redemption.
Lerma is no stranger to success. Yet, after winning 18 district championships in 22 years, she and the Lady Patriots are set to embark on a course they haven’t been on since the Obama administration. Two tough losses to La Joya Palmview sank the Lady Patriots’ chances at a district championship last year. The losses stuck with the Lady Patriots, especially Lerma, who used to coach Palmview head coach Margo Iglesias-Cantu. But her urge to avenge them is even stronger.
“She’s one of my ex-players. So we talk trash, but we want the best for each other. Whoever has the best team mentally and physically and wants it, not through the lips but deeper to the heart, will be the one who takes it. And that’s the sweet thing about competition. We want the best for each other, but I’m gonna take it,” Lerma said when asked about competing against her former athlete.
After graduating eight seniors, the Lady Patriots had to rebuild their roster by incorporating fresh faces into their rotations. The task has gone well so far. Six new varsity members, including freshman Mady Perez, will undoubtedly provide a much-needed boost. Leadership from returners like hitter Sophia Pacheco and libero Kariana Garza will only bolster the team’s efforts.
“It’s going to be a better season this year,” Pacheco said
“Last season was not something we expected. Getting third was not our goal… so all offseason, we focused on our skills and creating a bond with a new team. So, this season, we’re hopefully going in for a district title,” Garza said when asked how last season affected preparation for this year.
The Lady Patriots know the road ahead won’t be easy, but a renewed focus and hunger permeates the team. They aren’t satisfied with how last year ended, how they broke tradition. This year, they want it all.
“I’m really excited because we have our rival Mission in our district. So, we’re playing them again, and obviously Palmview again. It’s redemption from when we lost in five sets. It’s [offseason approach] definitely more intense this year. And it’s redemption. We don’t want to come in third. We want to come in first and go past the first round this year. We want to beat those teams and get back to first place,” senior Heather Flores said when asked about the Lady Patriots’ effort to reclaim the district crown.
“That’s the thing they’re going to be fighting for. Are you going to get the numbers back up on a banner? If you’re telling me you want the district title… I’m willing to be there for you. Now, are you willing to do the same?” Coach Lerma replied when asked about the Lady Patriots’ redemption arc.
The Lady Patriots begin their quest toward banner 19 next week on Tuesday, August 13th, in Edinburg versus the Edinburg Lady Bobcats. Their first district game will occur at home on September 3rd against Laredo Martin, which will be around when Coach Lerma contends for her 800th career win.