Lady Jackets aim for next level

Lady Jackets aim for next level Subhead Seeking fifth straight trip to the postseason, Meridian volleyball moves up to Class 2A Brett Voss Wed, 08/07/2024 - 06:50 Image

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  Lady Jacket senior Journey Stauffer practices serving (top left), (above), Senior Mariana Paniagua puts up the set (bottom left), Meridian head coach Lyndsie Schur greets her players of the first day of volleyball practice Monday. Simone Wichers-Voss | Brett Voss’ The Sports Buzz

  Lady Jacket senior Journey Stauffer practices serving (top left), (above), Senior Mariana Paniagua puts up the set (bottom left), Meridian head coach Lyndsie Schur greets her players of the first day of volleyball practice Monday. Simone Wichers-Voss | Brett Voss’ The Sports Buzz
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  Lady Jackets aim for next level

  Lady Jackets aim for next level
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  Lady Jackets aim for next level

  Lady Jackets aim for next level

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Looking for their fifth straight trip to the Texas high school volleyball playoffs, the Meridian Lady Jackets will have to take their game to the next level – in more ways than one.

Despite playing in the same district with the eventual Class 1A state champion, the Meridian Lady Jackets held their own during the 2023 Texas high school volleyball season, advancing to the playoffs for the fourth straight season with a third place finish in District 18-1A. And following the UIL realignment last February, the Lady Jackets will be moving back up to Class 2A this season.

Three seniors will be leading the way for Meridian, All-District 18-1ADefensive Most Valuable Player Journey Stauffer, along with second-team all-district players Mackenzie Borhofen and Mariana Paniagua, as well as junior Dyna Potter.

In addition to topping the Lady Jackets with 105 defensive digs, Stauffer smashed a team-high 116 kills and delivered 66 service aces. Paniagua ranked second on the team with 146 set assists along with 41 service aces and 59 kills, while Borhofen ranked tied for second with 92 defensive digs.

“I will be relying on my seniors and juniors to be the leaders this year,” Schur said. “They have done a tremendous this summer of being at summer workouts and working hard. Several of our JV girls from last year have impressed us this summer, and I expect some of them to rise to the varsity level. We also have a very talented freshmen class coming up, and some of them could see varsity minutes too.”

Continuing to rebuild the young volleyball program rebooted only four years ago, the Lady Jackets advanced to the Class 1A state playoffs for the fourth straight season. With the restored program looking for its first playoff win, the Lady Jackets were eliminated by the District 17-1A runner-up Prairie Valley Lady Bulldogs in straight sets.

Despite not getting that elusive first playoff victory, the Lady Jackets enjoyed another successful season. But as it came to a close, Schur will bid farewell to her three senior first-team all-district players. Consequently, the Lady Jackets will rely heavily on their four returning varsity players.

“Three out of the four have had an abundance of playing time at the varsity level,” Schur said. “I expect those four athletes to be the leaders, in voice and action, this year. In some areas, we are going to be young but our kids are eager to get going and keep the Lady Jacket volleyball program going in the right direction.”

With practice beginning Monday, the Lady Jackets will play at Valley Mills in a scrimmage at 2 p.m. Friday before opening the regular season with their first match on the road against Bruceville-Eddy at 6 p.m. Aug. 13.

“With only four returners, that leaves anywhere from six-eight spots open for grabs,” Schur said. “We will be focusing on putting the puzzle pieces together to make the right fit. Fans might see several different lineups early in the season to ensure that we are trying every situation out to set us up for success.”