Marble Falls volleyball ‘kicks it into gear’
CAPTION: Head coach Zoey Beard-Hanrahan believes the Lady Mustangs have all the pieces to accomplish their goals this season. Their play during their latest tournament simply reinforced that belief. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Marble Falls High School volleyball team ended the Jason Lander Invitational on a four-matching winning streak, almost matching two pre-district winning streaks from a year ago.
The tournament was hosted by the Austin Independent School District Aug. 14-16.
The Lady Mustangs (5-4) won the flight one bracket by defeating Kyle Lehman 25-7, 25-18 and Austin Akins 25-20, 25-12 Aug. 16.
“We had a great final day and day two,” head coach Zoey Beard-Hanrahan said. “Day one was a tough day. I had to get them in gear – they knocked it out day two.”
She was especially pleased with the win against Lehman, a squad the Lady Mustangs defeated 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 Aug. 11 in the season opener.
“We blew it out of the water,” the coach said. “That’s the thing I keep saying. Any team can come in and beat us. But we have the capability to beat any team.”
In Division 2 and G2 play Aug. 15, the Lady Mustangs defeated Austin Crockett 25-13, 16-25, 25-17 and Akins 25-9, 25-16 and lost to Del Valle 23-25, 22-25.
Marble Falls lost to Brownville Rivera 24-26, 25-27, Anderson 12-25, 15-25, and Stevens 25-23, 16-25, 16-25 in pool play Aug. 14.
“On day one, we had the capability to win,” Beard-Hanrahan said. “I asked, ‘What do these girls need to hear to kick it into gear?’ In elite programs, they don’t coach effort because it’s instilled. I call it the dog or animal in us. I brought up two JV players. Taylor Brydon goes balls out every time. We have five players who say they have dreams of playing collegiately. If those are my teammates, I want to help my teammates reach their dreams.”
The Lady Mustangs finished the tournament with a 4-4 record. Beard-Hanrahan said the final two days illustrated why she believes these Lady Mustangs have it in them to accomplish their goals this season.
“I saw a team that never gives up,” she said. “They stepped on the gas pedal and pushed. The communication was high; we had better communication between our hitters and setters. They refused to let the ball hit the floor. It’s going to take that.”
She noted the contest against Del Valle could have gone the other way.
“It was a close match,” she said. “They came back and did a great job. Del Valle wanted it more than us. They didn’t let the ball hit the ground. I told them, ‘You can’t let up. Any team can come back from any deficit. That team showed they wanted it more than you.'”
From that moment on, the Lady Mustangs didn’t lose another match the rest of the tournament.
Beard-Hanrahan noted the Lady Mustangs arrived an hour before they were scheduled to hit the court so they could get physically and mentally ready to play.
“They brought the heat,” she said. “They made me very proud of them.”
The Lady Mustangs begin a week of home matches starting against Universal City Randolph Tuesday, Aug. 17, with the subvarsities playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 6 p.m.
Marble Falls will host its own Hill Country Takeover tournament Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23. The tournament will have pool play on day one. Pool records will be used to seed the teams for bracket play on day two, which begins at 9 a.m.
The Lady Mustangs face Copperas Cove at 9 a.m., Thrall at 11:30 a.m. and Brenham at 12:45 p.m. all on Friday at Max Copeland Gym. Other teams include Fredericksburg and Blanco.
Beard-Hanrahan paused as she reflected back on a tremendous first week and first tournament for her players.
“I couldn’t have been prouder,” she said. “I’m glad they kicked it into gear. Every game I’ve seen, there’s more growth. I’m excited about this year.”
CAPTION: Senior middle blocker Payton Dunk (left) and junior outs hitter Katie Terrell make it difficult for opponents to score thanks to their work at the net. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
