The Maiden volleyball team begins district play tomorrow against the Tornadoes in Lamesa. For the Maidens, mental readiness is just as important as physical readiness.

“The biggest challenge the Maidens will have to face is themselves,” Coach Jacqueline Horton said. “In order to be successful and play at their highest level possible, the team has to be a cohesive unit. When they play together, it is amazing to watch.”

The Maidens have struggled with consistency throughout the whole match. They have played comeback in many matches, often stretching to five game matches in order to get the win.

“Our biggest challenge in district will be starting and finishing,” senior outside hitter Brogan Purser said. “We need to stay strong from the beginning all the way to the end.”

With district beginning tomorrow, the time for inconsistency is over.

“We have been having late practices,” senior middle blocker Cambri Addison said. “We give it our all in every single practice and work on coming together and playing as a team.”

The team has had to play without junior setter Jodie Vaughn since what appeared to be a minor foot injury was actually a broken bone. Junior Taylor Roberts and sophomore Havyn Perez have been working setting duties.

“Our biggest challenge will be drilling together as one unit,” Roberts said. “We have been working hitting spots, moving smoothly to where we need to be and staying light on our feet.”

Improvement is evident in the Maidens’ 15-11 record.

“We have gotten better at being on defense,” Purser said. “We have also improved on being a team.”

As the Maidens enter tomorrows district opener, they have to remember what they practiced.

“We need to be prepared for every match spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally,” Horton said. “We will play for God and leave everything we have on the court so that when a match is over, we know that we have done our very best.”

September 20 Scoreboard Seminole def. Pecos @ Pecos 25-23, 25-17, 25-19

Kills–Cambri Addison- 8, Taylor Roberts- 7, Brogan Purser-7, Abby Bandy-4, Havyn Perez-2, Chloe Gonzalez-2

Blocks–Taylor Roberts-0.5, Chloe Gonzalez-0.5, Brogan Purser-0.5, Cambri Addison-0.5

Assists– Havyn Perez- 15, Alyssa Wade- 10

Digs–Brogan Purser-15, Brianna Armendariz-14, Abby Bandy-8, Cambri Addison-4, Hayvn Perez-3, Taylor Roberts-2, Alyssa Wade-2, Chloe Gonzalez-2, Kassey Gallardo-1 Aces–Abby Bandy-4, Taylor Roberts-2, Havyn Perez-1

Service Points–Abby Bandy-9, Brianna Armendariz-7, Taylor Roberts-7, Havyn Perez-6, Brogan Purser-5, Alyssa Wade-2