Arabians set to win

In her 9th season at Devine, Coach Leigh Anne McIver has a great foundation of players for the 2021 volleyball season. With Macey Hein, Aleyna Gerlach, Brianna Torres, CeCe Martinez, Darian Alvarez, Bailey Oropeza, Kristina Moralez, Avery Cruz and Rylee Esquibel all returning, the team is ready to push far into playoffs. Ending last season at the Regional Semifinals, the Arabians know it will take more hard work this season to get back and further. They will have tournaments this season unlike last season to help prepare. Plus being back in the same district with familiar teams, the Arabians are on the right track for an amazing season.
“Having Hein back running our offense will be huge this year. She is just so athletic and competitive. Gerlach and Esquibel did a great job for us stepping in for Hein when she went down. Esquibel has learned tons and improved tons last year and we will really be looking at her for the majority of our offense. Gerlach is going to hopefully be moved back to the right side and she has really improved her blocking and being more aggressive on offense. She has the ability to shut down the others team outside hitters. I think we can make a run for the Regional Semifinals again this year and hopefully break the streak of not going to the Regional Final and beyond. Our defense and serve receive will be solid this year. We still have some things to learn on the front row but that will be taken care of within the first couple of weeks of the season. We have some big shoes to fill but I think the girls are up for the challenge. They have all been working hard this summer and we have several players competing for spots. Our goals are still the same, undefeated, without dropping a set, in district and going back to the Regional tournament and breaking through to State,” said Coach McIver.
The Arabians will scrimmage Navarro on Friday night, hold the annual Alumni Scrimmage on Saturday along with the Freshman taking on the JV. The 17th Annual Arabian Round Up will be August 19-21st.
By Dicy Chambers
Sports Writer