KFDM COOP Posted August 7, 2009 Report Posted August 7, 2009 Mathews, Lady Cardinals eager to put '08 in the past Gabriel Pruett The Orange Leader BRIDGE CITY — Bridge City volleyball coach Becca Mathews has not forgot last Halloween. It has nothing to do with getting a can of green beans when trick-or-treating and it is not because someone laughed at her costume. The Lady Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention on Oct. 31, 2008 in a play-in game against the Orangefield Lady Bobcats. It meant Mathews had to skip a year when ordering playoff banners for Cardinals Gym. “It has haunted me we did not go to the playoffs,†Mathews said on Wednesday. “We are going to make sure we do everything we can so that it does not happen again. I do not like to skip a year. Our players this year cannot use inexperience as an excuse.†The Lady Cardinals roster is filled with experience as all but three players going out for the varsity level was on the team last year. This year’s team can tell Mathews means business as the coach has been pushing her squad as hard as possible since practices began on Monday. “So far they have been working real hard,†Mathews said. “They know what the expectations are around here. They have the same attitude I have and feel really good about this season.†One of the key players for the Lady Cardinals this year will be senior Emily Kosh. Kosh has tasted playoff success with Bridge City. She was a part of the Lady Cardinals team which made the regional tournament two years ago. “We all want to make up for last year,†Kosh said. “We have to make the playoffs or the year is wasted. We are going to work extra hard. I want to make the playoffs real bad in my senior year and I think the rest of the team does too.†The Lady Cardinals bring back some powerful hitters in Marlee Lopez and Sara McPherson while Kosh is an all-district setter. Maggie Stump and Bria Thibodeaux are also back with a year under their belt. “This is a close group, they are all really good friends,†Mathews said. “They are going to be pushed this year like never before. If something is not perfect in practice, they are going to hear the whistle and run. It comes down to the fact that the girls win the games and I win the practices.â€
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