 The Lady Chargers celebrate winning a point against MacArthur. Photo by Mike Reeder
Staff Writer The Boerne Samuel V. Champion volleyball team continues to flash its potential while revealing the growing pains expected of a young team still learning to win at the varsity level. The Lady Chargers had fallen to 4-5 on the year after a 3-5 run through the Round Rock tournament, but evened their record with a 3-1 defeat of a good Class 5A MacArthur team in Boerne Aug. 19. “I feel pretty good about where we are, but if we’d had a better record at Round Rock I would feel a lot better,” Champion Coach Troy Errington said after the MacArthur win. “If we can play like we did in the first two games against Mac we can play with anybody.” Two nights later, the Lady Chargers were swept in what was still a competitive match with Clark at O’Connor. Boerne opened play in the NEISD tournament over the weekend with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Class 5A Southwest, but was swept by 5A powers Alvin and Reagan before dropping two of three games to Steele in an early match-up of future district opponents. The early roller coaster ride was expected from a young but talented team still finding its way against strong competition. The MacArthur match-up was a case in point. The Lady Chargers dominated at times in taking the first two games 25-11 and 25-17, but had trouble returning serves and quickly fell behind 6-0 in what ended up being a 14-25 game three loss. Boerne fell behind in game four as well before finally taking a 14-13 lead and finishing strong with a 25-22 close-out victory. “I give MacArthur a lot of credit in game three, because they served tremendously and we just didn’t respond,” Errington said. “The fourth game was back and forth and we were still fighting ourselves.” The two teams traded several long runs. Boerne junior Sarah Wallace served up nine straight points in game two, but the Lady Brahmas matched that with a nine point run of their own as well as a pair of six point runs in game three. “You just can’t give that up to teams at the varsity level and expect to beat them,” Errington said. “That’s something we’ve got to work on.” As usual, Errington has loaded the early schedule with quality 5A teams in preparation for a tough Class 4A district that includes three ranked area teams. Boerne has four players back this season who earned either second team or honorable mention all-district last year, but the roster is still loaded with underclassmen. Playing in their own gym might give the Boerne girls a lift. The new facility was expected to be ready by first practice, but Boerne Athletic Director Stan Leech says some final detailing forced a delay. “The Middle School South gym’s been a home away from home, so it’s not a bad place by any means,” Errington said. “But it will be exciting for the kids to finally be able to practice and play in their own gym.
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