The McCurdy Charter School volleyball team began their summer practices in June, but quickly hit a roadblock in their preparation for their season in the fall — their gym started to undergo renovations.
Head coach JuliAnn Martinez took a brief pause in the practice schedule to shop around for a gym where her players could practice.
She eventually found a host in Northern New Mexico College, so until next week, the McCurdy volleyball team has to deal with an early practice schedule at the college, from 7 to 9 a.m.
That was not the only bump in the road that the Lady Bobcats had to deal with in preparation for the new season. Two of their most reliable back row players sustained knee injuries during the spring softball season, which have carried into the fall.
“We lost two of our key girls, and that was Helena Naranjo and Zoe Serrano,” Martinez said. “They’re big athletes. It has hurt us a lot. We have had to bring up younger ones and develop them. Sometimes when they get out there, they have the jitters.”
Both, Naranjo and Serrano are seniors this year, and were expected to be some of McCurdy’s primary contributors. Before the start of the season, Martinez is having to fill those spots with young players.
“At first, I was kind of worried, because our whole entire back row got injured during softball season with knee injuries,” senior middle blocker AnnaLisa Martinez said. “We have Jayme (Bustos), and she was a back row passer last year and she’s a freshman. She’s stepping up her game this year and she’s doing really good.”
Bustos was the youngest player on varsity last year and she will continue her youthful reign this year in the back row.
JuliAnn Martinez is hoping that she can fill the role of libero for the Lady Bobcats this year.
In addition to the two injuries in the back row, the Lady Bobcats are still adjusting to life without four of their graduated seniors — Rianna Griego, Sammy Barela, Amanda Romero and Vianne Altamirano.
Last season, Griego was the team’s libero and Romero played a massive role for the side, featuring in the All-Star Game at the end of the year.
McCurdy came in second in their district, last year, behind Dulce High School.
The Lady Hawks beat the Lady Bobcats both times that they met, by the same scoreline, 3-0.
JuliAnn Martinez said that when the two teams played each other, it was one middle hitter that seemed to make all the difference for Dulce, Makaela Largo, who graduated in May.
The Lady Bobcats are optimistic about their chances of holding a district title this year and they are eager to face a Largoless Dulce team.
Her domination in the middle of the court gave JuliAnn Martinez trouble, and she has made a serious effort this year to close off the middle of the court on defense.
JuliAnn Martinez felt that all last year, the Lady Bobcats were prone to leaving the middle too open, so she had focused on fixing that weakness. She has stressed an increased amount of communication between the players, to avoid simple mistakes.
A few of the players that will be central to McCurdy’s success this year are three seniors: Maria DeVargas, AnnaLisa Martinez and Marissa Sandoval.
They will make up an experienced front row, although DeVargas and Sandoval are versatile players that can fill in roles in the backcourt.
“We’re just used to each other,” DeVargas said. “It’s not there yet, but we’re getting there.”
DeVargas is confident that the team will be able to improve upon last year’s record of 10-8, going 3-3 in their district.