Four Lady Lions were honored at the Oct. 22 senior game. The four seniors that were celebrated were from left to right Madi Odom, Landry Bullock, Rachael Bunn and Parrie Harley with their respective families. 
Regina Pergola/The Lion's Roar

Starting strong, the Lady Lions volleyball team won against McNeese Cowgirls for Smoot Fever.

The team won, on Oct. 18, the first set 25-20 and the second set 25-22. The third set was a setback where the Lady Lions lost 25-12, but in the fourth and final set, they made a comeback with 25-19. This puts the volleyball team with an overall record of 5-16.

Head Coach Jim Smoot described the four sets as fluctuating in team spirit but pulling through in the end.  

“In the first game, we had a lot of purpose in what we’re doing,” said Smoot. “Second game we changed our demeanor. It became a struggle I think even though it was great that we pulled out. Then after that, it was a real struggle, but I’m really proud that they battled and won the set.”

Smoot described his early life as being obsessed with volleyball but recently focuses only on the Lady Lions.

“I used to be a volleyball fanatic,” said Smoot. “I’d go to everything. Now I could care less about ever watching any other volleyball other than my team.” 

As the Head Coach, Smoot was informative on how he remains positive for his team.

“My motivation is to make them successful,” said Smoot. “Hopefully they understand that.”

He gave an account on how it affected him personally. 

“The whole coaching thing is staying in the moment and I think that’s where you can become consistent,” said Smoot. “I’m a pretty emotional guy on the sideline, but I think we worry about what just happened. It’s history. Don’t worry about it. Do the next play.”

The team consists of several new players as well as some upperclassmen that have been on the team for a while. Smoot recounted how this affected the Lady Lions in particular; versus how he thinks other schools might react. 

“We have lots of freshmen, lot of sophomores,” said Smoot. “Most teams I think would have a problem with that combination. I knew, though, our seniors would be so accepting and helping with the new girls that it was going to work out. We have such a great, fun group that I think that’s the key. Everyone gets along so great and enjoy each other’s company.”

He described how team bonding affected the players and how they played. 

“I think also when they’re out there having fun, dancing on the sidelines when they’re not in, that we play better,” said Smoot. “I’d like to see them do that, even when times are bad, have fun. Doesn’t mean you flake out on the game, but you have fun. There’s more excitement and you play better that way.” 

Savannah Alcazar, a freshman middle blocker, elaborated on how the events during the game and practices before the game help the team as a whole. 

“It helps when we get a big play, everyone gets fired up about it,” said Alcazar. “I think our preparation at practices, we’ve been going hard, working on our blocking and it shows that we’ve been working hard at practice.”

Alcazar had five kills during the four sets. She expressed hopes for future games played by the Lady Lions.  

“I hope we keep this winning streak going and we play number one in conference,” said Alcazar. “So, I hope we can upset them and get back up there.”

On Oct. 20, the Lady Lions lost to Incarnate Word. They won two out of the five sets. 

Monica Ramon was able to complete her first career double-double as well as a career high 10 assists. Elyssa Purcell, a redshirt freshmen from Alvin, Texas, tie second nationally after she dished out her sixth triple double of the season with 15 kills, 22 assists and 14 digs. 

Then on Oct. 22, Lady Lions played Texas A&M’s Corpus Christi team. During this game, outside hitters Madi Odom and Parrie Hartley, along with middle blockers, Rachael Bunn and Landry Bullock, were all honored as seniors. The four girls were presented between the second and third set where they were given flowers by their families and gifts from the team. 

Odom was nostalgic about how quickly her time playing on the volleyball team seemed to pass. 

“The seasons happened so fast,” said Odom. “I feel like a freshman.”

Despite their loss of all three sets, Head Coach Jim Smoot gave hopeful advice to the team members. He wanted them to look past the negative and concentrate on the future to be successful.

“That’s something we tell them,” said Smoot. “It’s your senior year and you need to take advantage of that.”

 

A three game volleyball series was played the week of Homecoming during which the Lady Lions won against McNeese  in a four set game on Oct. 18.
Regina Pergola/The Lion's Roar