Despite a hard fought effort, the Lehman Lobos volleyball team’s season ended Oct. 29 with a 25-13, 25-13, 25-7 home loss to the Westlake Chaparrals.
“I saw a lot of emotion,” Lehman head coach Karen Young said. “It was very difficult for them because they knew it was their last game. But they brought it. It was very family oriented and they just helped each other a ton.”
The Lobos faced a tall test in their final district match going up against a Chaps squad that eventually finished second in District 25-6A. Even though the Lobos were outmatched, Lehman put up a fight through all three sets. However, Westlake’s elite abilities and team cohesion was too much to overcome.
The Chaps’ outside hitters came to play with a 37-12 kill advantage over the Lobos in the match. Westlake also had 10 blocks to Lehman’s two, and nine aces versus just one from the Lobos.
“They are big and they are very athletic,” Young said about Westlake. “You can tell that they work well together. Marci (Laracuente) has done a tremendous job with that group of girls.”
Lehman seniors Ariana Sanchez, Kalee Jackson and Trinity Simmons played in their final volleyball game as a Lobo. Simmons and Sanchez each finished with three kills in the match, while Jackson contributed one kill and one block.
“It was fun,” Sanchez said about playing with her fellow seniors. “No matter what, whether we win or we lose, it was fun.”
Although the Lobos struggled throughout their district schedule, there were some highlights and great memories that came along the way, Sanchez said.
“First off, our Akins win, it was so awesome,” Sanchez said. “We took it to five sets. It was good because we worked for it, it wasn't just like a sweep. We really didn't expect it at all, so it was awesome and I’m glad we had some kind of victory. But, every game is a victory for us.”
For Jackson, the thing she will miss the most from this year’s team is the family-like camaraderie.
“I’m going to miss having my family here,” said Jackson. “I’ll always know they’ll be here, but to be on a court with them 24/7, like I’m going to miss that. That’s where we grew up. You do this for such a long time, you create all these bonds.”
