Natalia volleyball will lose one senior next season

Senior Shaunna Masters, seen here setting to Monique Leija, was the lone senior on the Lady Mustangs and led the team with 242 kills.

The Natalia Lady Mustangs bowed out in the Bi-District Playoffs last week against the George West Lady Horns. Natalia saw continued improvement under first year Head Coach Tamara Bednorz who took over the program after stints in George West, Orange Grove and Sinton.
George West was able to end Natalia’s season by defeating them 25-15, 25-17, 25-9 last week in McMullen County.
“We are proud of our girls for all the improvements they have made throughout the season,” Bednorz said. “Although we didn’t come out and win versus George West, we conquered some of our personal goals.”
George West advanced on in the playoffs and were set to battle in the Regional Quarter-Finals on press night. In the Area Playoffs, the Lady Horns defeated Falfurrias in three straight sets. GW was set to battle CC London. The winner would advance to battle Industrial who had defeated Yoakum, Lago Vista and Johnson City in their playoff run.
“Looking back on the season, beating Lytle for 3rd place was huge and getting into the playoffs was a goal we set early on,” Bednorz said.
Season ending stat leaders: Kills- Shaunna Masters 242. Assists- Bailey Boucher 269. Digs- Bryanna Perez 295. Aces- Perez 26. Blocks- Masters 19.
The lone senior on this squad was Shaunna Masters who was a three year starter on the varsity.
“She was the leading force on the front line for our team,” Bednorz said. “She not only led the team in kills, she also stepped into a lead role as a setter for the first time ever. She did it with grace and unselfishness and she will be missed.”
“Looking ahead, we plan to keep implementing all the “new” skills and refine them in the next season. We were a young team in general this year and I look forward to building with each player in the next season.”
Natalia finished their 2018-2019 campaign with a 14-26 record overall and a 6-4 mark in 30-3A.
By Eric Smith