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Volleyball: Marcus seeking return to regionals…and then some
BY JUSTIN THOMAS, JThomas@acnpapers.com
Expectations for Marcus’ volleyball program have never been higher.
And why not? The Lady Marauders return 13 of 14 players from last year’s squad, which reached the regional finals of the Class 5A playoffs — the deepest playoff run in program history.
Now Marcus has its eyes on making a run even further into the playoffs.
Leading the charge for Marcus are a plethora of returning all-district performers from last season, including first-teamers Katie Neisler, Mallori Sando and Lauren Douglass; second-team selections Bailey Bunting and Mary Koehler; as well as Sarah Hula and Michelle Wise, who were each named honorable mention.
Joining the cast are a bevy of players returning with varsity experience, including Brittany Bernstein, Rachel Boyd, Elizabeth Fortado, Rachel Hampton, Kelsey Pry and Lindsay Sales.
“I think our strength is going to be our depth and our balance,” Liles said. “Even our backups have a lot of varsity experience and are consistent.”
The lone Lady Marauder who wasn’t on last year’s squad is sophomore Reagan McGuire, who is already showing her ability to contribute at the middle blocker position.
“She just keeps getting better by the minute and will see a lot of time for us,” Liles said of McGuire. “Her offensive ability will help us immediately, but she is also getting better on the block. She’s good enough where she can handle it, but she is already improving greatly.”
The sophomore should fit right in on the front line with the likes of Douglass in the middle, Neisler (a two-year varsity player) and Koehler (three years on varsity) on the outside.
But if Neisler and Koehler aren’t enough, Marcus has even more depth at the position with the improved play of Wise and Pry.
“I think the starters at most positions are pretty well set,” Liles said. “But that could change at any minute because there are people on their heels ready to take their spot, and they have the talent to do it.”
On the right side, the Lady Marauders lineup is bolstered by Fortado, Bunting, Boyd and Hampton, who Liles said could vie for a starting position.
“We don’t really have any weak links,” Liles said of the roster.
Another area of strength is at setter, where Sando and Hula provide assists to the front line. Bernstein will also contribute at setter for Marcus.
Sales, meanwhile, has staked her claim to the libero position.
“She’s really taken over,” Liles said.
Thus far, the Lady Marauders are already showing they are a team to be reckoned with.
Marcus took third in the highly competitive Duncanville Tournament, its best finish in the tourney after taking fifth last year and fourth two seasons ago.
The Lady Marauders topped Trinity in the first round, The Woodlands College Park in the second round and Lovejoy in the quarterfinals. Marcus’ run came to an end in the semifinals, where they fell against eventual-champion Richardson Pearce, but the squad bounced back to top former district foe Coppell, 11-25, 25-23, 25-18 in the third-place match.
Neisler received all-tournament honors, and Liles added Fortado had “a great tournament.”
“They were both very consistent on blocks and kills,” she said. “And in the Coppell match we had 15 block-kills, which I was very impressed with.”
In fact, the Lady Marauders are even ahead of where Liles thought they would be at this point.
“Our transition game is more advanced than at this time in the past,” Liles added. “We are connecting very fast, and the girls are getting frustrated when they are connecting. I have to remind them that they are playing well for this point of the season. But they want that perfection.”
Liles said the desire to succeed is one area that could cause trouble.
“I tell them the only team that can get in our way is us,” she said. “If we play well, we can compete with anyone. But you can’t put too much pressure on yourself. Another concern is looking too far down the road. We have to take each match for what it is.”
And should Marcus stay focused on the task at hand and eventually qualify for the playoffs, they should be a well-seasoned team.
“I think our district is the toughest in the state,” Liles said. “And our region is the toughest. Hebron has a lot of talent back, Allen is strong and Plano West is already showing they are an improved team.”
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