Lady Bears face state power Friendswood

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Lady Bears face state power Friendswood

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

LITTLE CYPRESS — Aggressive play helped lead the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears to a dramatic four-game victory over the New Caney Lady Eagles in the bidistrict round of the Class 4A Region III playoffs.

The Lady Bears (21-15) and long-time head coach Vicki Castino will be looking to put all of their ducks in a row and will have to be on top of their game like never before tonight when they take on the District 23-3A champion Friendswood Lady Mustangs (31-6) at Lamar University’s McDonald Gym in the 4A area round.

Without question, the Lady Mustangs have been tested. They went a perfect 14-0 in one of the state’s most grueling districts against the likes of folks like Angleton, Dickinson, Texas City and Santa Fe. That’s quite an accomplishment.

Let’s go a step further. Friendswood is the defending Region III champions. The Lady Mustangs went 35-6 last season, falling to Vista Ridge in the semifinals at the State Tournament 25-17, 18-25, 25-11, 25-11.

An even scarier thing on Halloween Eve, the Lady Mustangs only lost one senior off last year’s unit.

The Lady Bears, however, are going to take on Friendswood with gleaming confidence as they look to produce a few tricks instead of becoming a treat.

“Our kids are raring to go and can’t wait for the challenge,†Castino said. “To try to be the best, you have to line up and beat the best. Our kids aren’t nervous at all. We had a super practice this morning (Monday). The kids still feel awesome after beating New Caney. They don’t plan to be intimidated.â€

The Lady Mustangs are led by the vast experience of Andi Kinsel, Christie Dorch, Jessie Hays, Whitney Rhoden and Charlotte Matta.

“All I know at this point is that they have three or four outstanding hitters, and they outstading defense,†Castino said. “From what I’ve heard, they are supposedly the best team in the region again.â€

The Lady Bears are certainly battled-tested, playing in what was such a rugged District 22-4A this season. A season that produced so many five-game matches, including several that the Lady Bears were involved in.

“Our kids were certainly tsted in district and also in the Northwest Tournament in Dallas that we’ve going to,†Castino said. “We’ve seen a lot of good teams this year and I think we have a pretty good team too.â€

The Lady Bears have been led by the likes of heavy hitters like seniors Morgan Blohm, Jordyn Davis and Kristi Trahan, along with junior Maci Wilcox and sophomore Christine Sicktich.

They certainly led the way in the 23-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-18 win against New Caney as they teamed up for 54 kills.

“The kids showed their nerves early,†Castino said. “I told them to just go out and be yourselves and they did. We got really aggressive when we had to and we just kinda took over from their. We’re going to need the same kind of tough play against Friendswood. We have to play good from the very start of the match.â€

Castino won the coin flip against Lady Mustang coach Jerry Linch as the Lady Bears will get to stay close to home at McDonald Gym instead of heading to Crosby High School to play.

“The girls are excited about playing at Lamar and the facility is super-nice,†Castino said. “Hopefully we’ll have a big old crowd supporting the Lady Bears.â€

The Lady Bears have also received excellent defense and sets from the likes of Shayna Sheppard, Brittany Wiegand and Carly Gauthier.

The winner of the LC-M-Friendswood enconter will face the winner of Dickinson-Barbers Hill in the regional quarterfinals later this week.