A 10-18 team in 2006 that was searching for an identity and hoping it would win, the Lady Tigers slowly learned how to win over the course of 2007.
Now, they expect to win.
“We aren’t going to stop or settle,” senior setter Myca San Miguel said. “We’re going to go into each match with the intention of winning every single game.”
Belton opens the season today at 6:30 p.m. at Round Rock Stony Point.
The Lady Tigers return three senior starters - San Miguel, outside hitter Becca Owen and middle blocker Tilatha Akins - from a squad that finished 20-14 and made its first Class 5A playoff appearance since 2004.
After turning 10 wins into 20 a season ago, Belton aims to take the proverbial next step with the added wrinkle of first-year coach Justeen Patton leading the way.
A former star setter in high school and college, Patton brings with her a wealth of volleyball knowledge and passion.
Thanks to former Lady Tigers coach Allison Taylor, who rejuvenated the program before she was removed from her position by Belton athletic director Rodney Southern in February, Patton already has a solid foundation to build upon.
But she knows it will take a little time for her players to adjust to a new coaching style before they hit their stride.
“As a coach you don’t come in and try to change everything right away,” said Patton, an assistant coach at Kansas in 2007 who will make her head coaching debut tonight. “You try to slowly develop things and get them used to your habits and coaching theories. I’m trying my best not to bombard them with everything new, but at the same time I want everyone to be on the same page.”
Patton’s expertise has Belton headed in the right direction.
During the first day of practice, Patton tweaked San Miguel’s setting form. An All-District 13-5A honorable mention selection as a setter last season, San Miguel said she could feel the change working instantly.
“Oh gosh, I’ve learned so much already,” San Miguel said. “My arms are so different and it’s working a lot better than before. It was like, ‘OK,’ and we’re fixed.”
Patton’s understanding of how to control the offense from the setter position has had a trickle effect on the rest of the team.
Owen, the Lady Tigers’ top returning hitter along with Akins, said they are receiving better sets and are in better position to attack at the net.
“She knows her stuff,” said Owen, an all-district first-team pick last year. “Our timing has become better with each other. She helps the setters and tells them where to put it. It’s easier. She tells us where to hit and which angle is deep.”
Added Akins: “She’s helped me a lot on my hitting because I know my hitting wasn’t as strong. She knows what she’s talking about and she’s helped a lot.”
And just those few changes have made the Belton players feel more in sync on the court.
“We’re actually flowing as a team now instead of individuals on the court,” San Miguel said.
Along with Owen’s and Akins’ power in the front row, Patton plans on using senior middle hitter Kimesha Scott, junior hitter Hailey Rosebrock and sophomore hitter Amber Peters.
Another key player that Patton has been impressed with is versatile sophomore Grace Weaver, who started several matches and made the final block to help the Lady Tigers beat rival Temple in their first meeting last season.
“She is a very solid player and can play all around,” Patton said. “She does all her skills well so we can use her at any position on any given day, and she would embrace the challenge. She has a bright future ahead of her.”
Also on the varsity roster are seniors Victoria Murray and Tasha Bryant, junior Chelsea Lomprey and sophomores Brooke Malcik and Brooke Kiella.
Last season, Belton knew it would be much-improved and had a realistic shot at the making the playoffs.
Twelve months later, the Lady Tigers have their eyes set on a District 12-5A championship and a run in the postseason.
“We expect so much more,” Owen said. “We’re not going to accept anything less. We will go to the playoffs and we will have a secure spot in district.”
