Full steam ahead

Lady Bulldogs enjoyed sweeping their rivals on Saturday. However, Alexander is already focused on its next match on Tuesday.

By Garrett Kroeger

It would be easy for the Alexander Lady Bulldogs to feel extremely confident in themselves. On Saturday, they swept their rival the United Lady Longhorns (25-14, 25-18, 25-13) with ease to end the first round of District 30-6A competition undefeated – 6-0. They continued to show why they are the team to beat. However, they know there’s still work to be done.

“We have to focus in,” senior Andrea Nunez said. “Our focus is always to get the win. So, at the end of the day, we are patient with ourselves. We are not going to get too confident because we still have another round. So, we are going to keep our heads up and just keep playing.”

Alexander isn’t concerned with its short-term success. Yes, the Lady Bulldogs were over the moon with their sweep over United. However, they planned to only enjoy it for the next 24 hours before moving their focus to United South – whom they play on Tuesday at home. And that’s because Alexander is fixated on its long-term triumphs.

It’s no secret that the Lady Bulldogs aim to repeat as district champions. It’s no secret that they are the absolute favorites to win the title again this season, too. And with six district games left, they seem well on their way to repeat as 30-6A champions.

“They do all the behind the scenes stuff well,” Alexander head coach Ari Bermea-Mendoza said of this year’s team. “We are talented, but we are also very hard workers. That’s one thing that’s overlooked by our kids sometimes.

“They are great kids. Staying humble is something we try to preach often. They try to stay level headed.”

Heading into the second round of district competition, Alexander holds a two-game lead over its league opponents. Every other team in the district has at least two losses.

What has allowed the Lady Bulldogs to be so dominant in district play this year – they have yet to drop a set in league matches just like last season – is their mix of talent. They are arguably the most well-rounded, deeply talented team in the district. And they showed that on Saturday against United.

Nunez – who is committed to the University of Texas-Arlington – was big at the net with her blocks and kills. Fellow senior Stella Evans was effective as well, per usual. Then sophomores Caro Elizondo and Abriella Betancourt and junior Sofia Gonzalez added another element at the net, too. Then defensive specialists Angie Garcia, MJ Cosio and Bri Espinoza were on point as usual. Plus, setters Emily Buitron and Amari Randez distributed the ball with ease.

While Alexander has been dominant, it knows it can still improve. According to Nunez, the Lady Bulldogs can still grow in every aspect of the game because not every team is perfect.

“We can always perfect something,” Nunez said. “We are all not perfect.”

With the way the Lady Bulldogs have played this season, it would be easy for them to be extremely confident in themselves – especially when it comes to district competition. They have completely dominated their 30-6A opponents.

However, Alexander is remaining grounded – humble. While it enjoyed its latest win a lot – it was a rivalry victory, of course — it has already turned its focus to its next match on Tuesday against United South.

The Lady Bulldogs are focused on their long-term success, not their short-term. They are fixated on securing another district title and putting together a deep playoff run. And from what they’ve shown, they have the potential to achieve both this year. But for them to accomplish those goals, they know they have to continue to put in the necessary hard work – which they plan to do. So, while Saturday’s win was enjoyable, Alexander is already ready to secure another district win and take another step toward a potential 30-6A championship.

“One thing I’ve been telling the kids the whole time is to always stay focused, stay ready,” Bermea-Mendoza said. “We are always going to get everyone’s best game, and that’s fine.

“I expect them to stay level headed and poised — calm, cool and collective — during every match. The expectation for them for the entire season. It’s a long season. We know it’s not going to get any easier. We have to stay ready.”