Lady Mustangs show growth in Taft tournament

Lady Mustang Bryanna Perez concentrates on her serve.

The Natalia Lady Mustang Volleyball team (7-17) continued to show improvement during their week of competitive play on the hardwood. The week started off with a fun Tuesday night first ever event, as the girls in blue battled the winner of a two team alumni event. The girls in blue wrapped up a long week with a two day event in Taft (Tx) as they competed in a total of seven games as they picked up three victories along the Coastal Bend.
Alumni Game
Alumni from the 90s all the way to 2017 showed up in #s to create two volleyball teams. The two alumni teams battled one another and went three sets before the winner was decided.
The winner advanced to play the varsity Lady Mustangs. Despite being a bit “winded”, the alumni were able to pick up the set one victory. The varsity battled back to win two in a row to claim the unofficial victory.
“The first ever event was a success,” Coach Tamara Bednorz said. “We are thankful for our booster club who set the event up and also for the alumni who showed up and supported the event and our program.”
Taft Tournament
Thursday Natalia began their tournament at the home of the Lady Greyhounds. One interesting note was the fact this was the first time Taft had a chance to compete in their home gym in two seasons, due to the severe damage it suffered last year during the Hurricane.
Natalia opened the tournament against the Bishop Lady Badgers falling 12-25, 25-17, 20-25. The girls in blue responded with a 25-22, 25-18 win over Ben Bolt before rounding out pool play with a loss to the host Lady Hounds 20-25, 6-25.
Saturday morning, Natalia opened play versus 6A Weslaco East where they fell 14-25, 18-25.
Natalia responded with a two set sweep of 4A Kingsville by scores of 25-21, 25-19. With a shot to advance to the Consolation game, Natalia battled the Refugio Lady Cats. Natalia came out and won a thriller 26-24, but unfortunately fell 22-25, 23-25.
The final game of the tourney was against Ben Bolt and Natalia once again took care of business, defeating the Lady Badgers 25-13, 25-22.
“I think the one word that best described the weekend was growth,” Bednorz said.
Natalia senior Shaunna Masters was named to the All-Tournament team for the girls in blue.
No stats were made available as of press time.
Upcoming Games
On press night, the Lady Mustangs were in Guadalupe County with a tough road game against the traditionally tough Marion Lady Bulldogs.
This coming Friday, the salty Pleasanton Lady Eagles come to town for two games with the varsity set to begin at 5:00 p.m. and the Junior Varsity at 6:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, September 4th Natalia will battle the D’Hanis Cowgirls for the 5th time this season. The Junior Varsity will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the varsity set to begin at 6:00 p.m.
By Eric Smith