Finding the win column elusive, Class 2A Meridian Lady Jackets continue to improve through gauntlet of non-district foes in preparation for District 13-2A competition
Working on establishing teamwork and gaining experience before District 13-2A competition begins next week, the Meridian Lady Jackets continue to improve despite it not yet showing up in the win column.
Looking ahead to their final two non-district matches, the Lady Jackets (2-15) will host the Waco Valor Prep Academy Lady Knights (17-9) at 6 p.m. Tuesday before visiting the Bluff Dale Lady Bobcats (15-7) at 4:30 p.m. Friday in preparation for Meridian’s district opener at home against the Rio Vista Lady Eagles (6-12) on Sept. 27.
Coming off back-to-back four set losses to the Aquilla Lady Cougars 17-25, 25-13, 25-22, 25-21 last Tuesday and the Lingleville Lady Cardinals 25-13, 15-25, 25-16, 25-7 last Friday, Meridian hopes to build some momentum before going up against District 13-2A opponents that include Italy (12-9), Itasca (8-11), Frost (6-10) and Rio Vista.
In the loss to Lingleville Friday, junior Dyna Potter led the Lady Jackets with 11 kills, followed by senior Journey Stauffer with nine kills and 10 digs, freshman Daylee Gilbert with nine kills, as well as senior Mariana Paniagua with 18 assists, 15 digs and two service aces. Additionally, senior Mackenzie Borhofen contributed eight digs, sophomore Sarah Rosales came up with five digs, as junior Katelyn Ramirez produced three digs and two service aces
“I was really proud of the fight that our girls showed on Friday,” Meridian volleyball head coach Lyndsie Schur said. “Our girls hustled their tails off from start to finish, no matter what the score was. It was a big night at the net for Dyna, Daylee and Journey. That was huge for momentum, and I was very pleased with that.”
“We struggled some with passing, but I am extremely happy with the progress that we have made and where we are sitting being less than two weeks away from starting district.”
Opening last week with the loss to Aquilla, Gilbert led Meridian with seven kills, followed by Stauffer with five kills and six digs, Potter with five kills, and sophomore Afton Smith with four kills. Engineering the offensive attack, Paniagua delivered 15 assists, nine digs, seven service aces and three kills, while Borhofen came up with 10 digs and smashed three service aces.
“As I told the girls after the game, I was very proud of how well we played start to finish,” Schur said. “We had some times when it was on that windy rollercoaster, but we did a great job of not staying down long.
“Even though we lost, I am very excited about the direction that we are headed. Afton Smith and Mailey Padgett really stepped up and did some great things in this match that I was excited to see.”
Working through tournaments and their non-district schedule, the Lady Jackets have continued to take one step at a time in the right direction. Despite being competitive against strong opponents, the Lady Jackets lost back-to-back home games two weeks ago, falling to the Class 3A Whitney Lady Wildcats, 25-15, 25-12, 25-13, before losing to the Jonesboro Lady Eagles in straight sets, 25-18, 25-23, 25-14, in Yellowjacket Gymnasium.
“I am proud of how our girls continue to show up every day to get better,” Schur said. “Friday was no different. There were definitely moments where our youth showed, but that is part of the journey.
“I am also proud of how our seniors have led so far this year. They have really taken our underclassmen under their wings to help them gain the confidence they need.”
Against Jonesboro on Sept. 6, Stauffer led the Lady Jackets with seven kills and 11 digs, followed by Paniagua with four kills, three service aces, eight assists and eight digs, Gilbert with four kills and three assists, Potter with one block and four digs, along with Borhofen with two assists and freshman Mailey Padgett with two service aces
“We played some very good points against Jonesboro on Friday, and we’re playing a lot more sound,” Schur said. “The girls are trusting the process, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
In the straight set loss to Whitney on Sept. 3, Stauffer led Meridian with three kills, two service aces and nine digs, followed by Paniagua three kills, five assists and six digs, Borhofen with 15 digs, Potter with two blocks, Gilbert with two service aces and Padgett with five digs.
“I am extremely proud of the way that the girls played against Whitney,” Schur said. “We might have played our best game yet. Whitney has an outside hitter that is very good, and I felt that our girls did a fantastic job of adjusting to whatever she was giving us.
“When trying to think of a player that stood out, I truly can’t think of one player in particular because it was such a team effort.”
Photos by WENDY OROZCO
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