Faith Academy volleyball finishes second at tourney

CAPTION: Even during warm-ups, senior middle blocker Miley Kessler’s strength and power is evident. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball team is the runner-up at the New Braunfels John Paul II Catholic High School tournament after going 4-1 at the event.

The Lady Flames (12-3) defeated Bulverde Gloria Deo 25-18, 25-14, San Antonio Providence Catholic 25-10, 25-18, San Antonio DaVinci 25-12, 25-7 and John Paul II’s junior varsity 25-12, 25-9. The only loss was to John Paul II varsity 15-25, 25-27.

“We were up 24-19 and couldn’t close it,” Faith head coach Erin Sawyer said of the last set to John Paul. “We made adjustments. It took the girls a few minutes. They have two really good hitters, and one girl was giving us problems.”

Overall, the tournament did what the Lady Flames needed, she said.

“We worked on consistency,” she said. “We always stayed in front and kept our pace and played smart with how we were playing.”

Bringing back a tournament trophy “shows a lot of the depth we have – how they passed and killed the ball,” the coach said.

“It’s encouraging to see,” she added. “We’ve had the talent in the past. This year the way the girls work together and play together is the difference. It’s the best year yet.”

Sophomore hitter Ella Claiborne and senior middle blocker Miley Fessler were named to the all-tournament team.

“Miley cooked,” Sawyer said. “She did so good. She’s very athletic. We’re working on her (spikes from quick sets in the middle), and her timing is getting better. She’s really raw. She made her serves, she was passing well, she was blocking like a beast, and hitting well. She made very minor mistakes if any. I’m very proud of her for pushing that limit.”

Claiborne was simply consistently good. She is using other ways to score points, Sawyer said. That may mean being a more powerful server in hitting her spots for aces. Or using directional tips and dinks at the net or blocking.

“She hasn’t been swinging all the time like she normally does,” she said. “She’s figuring out what else she can do. She’s learning how to be a rapid player and finding the holes and exploiting them. She had quite a few aces and is passing well. She’s the player she needs to be.”

Before the tournament, Faith swept Georgetown Grace Academy 26-24, 25-20, 25-19 to give the Lady Griffins their first loss of the season.

“We were making unforced errors,” the coach said of the first set. “The girls fought for it and pushed for it. They got mentally tough – they have that fight. I don’t think we could have done that in the past. They have that drive.”

The coach said this year’s Lady Flames have a self-confidence and a self-belief that may be traced back to reaching the 2024 Class 3A state tournament of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools where it may have felt like it came out of nowhere to some fans. But Sawyer, who has been with the program for several years, had been building toward that achievement.

“Before, I don’t think the girls realized the talent they had,” she said. “Last year going to state was a boost. (Before) they didn’t see the possibilities. I’m in my third year (as the head coach). I want to have a player-led program – that’s when you get true change. It’s one thing for me to say something, it’s another when they’re working toward that goal. That confidence is soaring.”

Faith is playing in the Aggieland Tournament Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5-6, and welcomes Temple Central Texas Christian Thursday, Sept. 11, for the District 4-3A opener.

CAPTION: Sophomore outside hitter Ella Claiborne’s becoming the all-around player, who’s difficult to stop. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro