Rebirth and Triumph
Big 7 Volleyball Playoff Preview
Dreams are born anew when the playoffs start. The significance of each moment inside the pressurized environments it breeds washes away the past and scorches the fears of memories. The playoffs represent an opportunity to build legacies and triumph over the enemies of despair and regret. Last night, three Big 7 Volleyball teams entered the UIL State Playoffs, staring this reality in the face and eager to accept and conquer its challenge.
Mission Veterans Lady Patriots
Record: (34-1, 16-0)
Winning is a state of being inside the Lady Patriots Volleyball Program. Winning isn’t the goal; it’s the expectation. It’s not something you strive for; it’s a zero-sum game. Either you do or you don’t. This year, the Lady Patriots lost one game and dropped a measly five sets in 35 contests en route to their 20th district championship in 24 years.
“The mentality is not just putting on a uniform or getting another district title under their belt. It plays a bigger part. Knowing what traditional and fighting for every point is. Volleyball is not an individual sport; it’s about teamwork and unity. So that’s the mentality for us right now. It’s not whether two people can show up to play the game, it’s whether the whole team can show up to contribute,” Hall of Fame coach Diana Lerma said ahead of their Bi-District matchup.
The Lady Patriots’ top four hitters, Delilah Cantu (409 kills), Mady Perez (388 kills), Isabella Canizalez (153 kills,58 blocks), and Iliana Franco (132 kills), terrorized their district foes. Senior libero Evoria Garcia tallied 674 digs, eclipsing 1,500 for her career. Setters Caylie Montalvo and Layla Rodriguez combined for nearly 800 kills. That kind of star power is why the Lady Eagles have won two consecutive district championships and look like favorites to make the Regional Semi-Finals.
“The way the state playoffs are set up for us. It’s there if they want it… If they hope to win, we’ve already lost. They’ve gotta know what it’s gonna take on each individual…We need to keep on fighting harder than when we started. This is a new beginning; it’s a new start for us. It’s a tournament. You either play ball or you’re out,” Coach Lerma said when describing the necessary intensity for playoff success.
Last night, the Lady Patriots began their journey toward another Bi-District championship as they faced the Corpus Christi King Lady Mustangs (14-12, 10-6).
“Our team is going to be ready. They want the same thing that we do. It’s going to go to the team that wants it the most,” Coach Lerma said about last night’s matchup.
La Joya Palmview Lady Lobos
Record (25-7, 14-2)
When Margo Iglesias-Cantu took over the Lady Lobos program, she knew they could be winners. And over the past three years, not very many Valley teams compare. Tonight will mark the third consecutive year the Lady Lobos make an appearance in the Bi-District round of the UIL State Volleyball Playoffs. After winning a District title in 2023 and falling two points short of a share of another this year, the program’s pedigree is undeniable.
“We are super excited. This is a Bi-District Title; it’s there for the taking… I told the girls, ‘It’s up for grabs. You need to take it. No one is going to give you anything in life; you need to take it,” Coach Iglesias-Cantu said about the opportunity facing the Lady Lobos program tonight.
Everything the Lady Lobos do centers on junior hitter Miley Zieske. Zieske is one of the most consistent offensive threats in the Valley. She finished this season with 360 kills. Her success is thanks in large part to the dynamic setting duo, Arizona and Valeria Gauna. The sisters have combined for over 724 assists. After an early injury sidelined Arizona, her younger sister stepped up and led the Lady Lobos’ new-look offense.
“Everything is finally coming together with all the girls… they’re starting to grow and find themselves, and everybody is a threat from everywhere. So, that’s a good problem to have,” Coach Iglesias Cantu said about the development of her squad.
The Lady Lobos played the Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial Lady Eagles, whom they’ve lost to in consecutive years, last night. This year, they faced each other in tournament play, and the Lady Lobos lost in a close two-set game. However, that was before their new identity was formed, just as they were growing into their newfound style.
“Our mentality is very strong. I’ve been telling them since the beginning of the year that we match up very well with this team. We actually played them in the Corpus Christi Tournament back in August, and we played seven players because I had a lot of players hurt. In the first set, we lost 25-19, and in the second set, it was 25-23. So, I tell them that anything is possible, obviously. You just have to go in with the mentality that you’re going to win…we’ve been preparing for this game and this moment,” Coach Iglesias said about their Bi-District Championship opponents.
Sharyland Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks
Record: (32-4, 15-1)
This year, the Lady Diamondbacks survived the tempest of playing in the Valley’s toughest volleyball playing district, emerging with only one loss and a district championship. Their 32 wins mark the fourth time in the past five years they’ve won 30 games. Their non-conference wins over San Antonio MacArthur, Corpus Christi London, and Corpus Christi Veterans truly put their greatness into focus. The Lady Diamondbacks enter the UIL State Volleyball playoffs for the 12th consecutive year as one of the best volleyball teams in South Texas.
“Our mentality going into playoffs is to take what we accomplished in the regular season and build on it. It’s a new season now, and we are working to make sure that we are playing our best volleyball of the year. Every team in the playoffs has earned its position, and we know it will be a battle each time. Our district was tough and has helped us prepare for this next level of play,” First-year Head Coach Kandi Helle said about the Lady Diamondback’s mentality heading into the Bi-District Championship.
The Lady Diamondbacks’ prestige begins with their cerebral ability to adapt to any playing style. Thanks to roster continuity, including the hiring of Coach Helle after longtime coach Laura Cavazos’s departure, the Lady Diamondbacks have had no trouble maintaining the winning tradition the program was founded on. Outside hitters Elle and Cody Hill have tormented the net and anyone who dares challenge them at its summit. Stout middle blocker Scarlet Verjel’s cross-court antics on offense and stalwart defense have locked down the center net. Active liberos Izabella Cano and Matilde Curiel have been headaches for opposing offenses seeking easy points. And of course, talented setters Hailey Botello and Aleena Zuniga have steered the ship all season as playmakers and leaders. The standard they’ve set for themselves this year is unrivaled, and the girls, but the job isn’t done.
“The girls understand the expectations and have handled the pressure well. We don’t see having high expectations as a burden; we enter each season with that expectation of ourselves. We hold ourselves to a high level of accountability individually and as a team, which helps to establish and maintain the culture we have,” Coach Helle said about how her team has handled the pressure of greatness.
The Lady Diamondbacks faced the Edcouch Elsa Lady Yellowjackets last night at Pioneer High School in Mission, Texas.
“A Bi-District championship is important for our program. With the success we have had over the years and this season, the pressure is hard to ignore. But we have a strong group of young leaders within our program that understand our program expectations and what it takes for us to have high levels of success each year. The Diamondback community has become even more involved with our success this year, and to win another championship in front of our home crowd would be a perfect way to thank them for supporting our girls all year,” Helle said about the possibility of winning another golden ball.
