In previous years, Mesa Vista volleyball would have to combine their junior varsity and varsity teams, and everybody had to contribute regularly with only about a dozen players.
Now, they not only have a 13-player varsity roster, with a deep bench of young players, they also have enough numbers to field a separate junior varsity team.
“The more experienced girls can teach the less experienced girls,” said junior and team captain Kylie Torrez. “They’re willing to teach right away. It’s nice to have a foundation to build on.”
The Lady Trojans (2-5) continue to build chemistry and work for the future, and with just one senior on the team, as they fell on Sept. 13 to a strong team in Legacy Academy (6-2), losing 25-18, 25-12, 25-9.
“They’ve gone through a lot together,” coach Renee Torrez said. “And I’m really impressed with how they have everybody’s backs.”
Renee Torrez missed the first two weeks of the season while procuring a coaching license. The Legacy Academy match was her first official match as head coach.
“It’s been an adjustment,” Renee Torrez said of the move to head coach.
They also played in the Santa Fe Indian School Dig Pink tournament over the weekend, and finished fourth in their pool of much larger schools, but they did split two sets with Pecos. In the “Maroon” bracket, they defeated McCurdy in the first round, and lost in the bracket final to Rehoboth Christian in three sets.
Mesa Vista lost its two setters from last season, and is replacing them with a rotation that mainly features junior Natasha Pacheco — who is new to the position — and also includes junior Estrella Alire
Renee Torrez said the team is still working on improving its chemistry and communication, especially on defense where they need to thrive given their lack of size.
The cloud hanging over the team remains the loss of coach Leonard Torrez, who died in January. His wife, Renee Torrez, took over the team in the offseason.
“It’s gotten easier,” Renee Torrez said of the impact of her husband’s death on the team. “Of course, it’s always in the back of their minds. Overall, I think they help hold each other.”
Mesa Vista will close out their non-district schedule on Sept. 27 against Menaul (7-1).