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For six sophomores on the Highlands roster, a year has made all the difference in the world.
With a solid season under their belts, in which the Owls finished 7-9 and placed sixth in District 28-4A, the young players and their teammates have climbed up the standings. A year ago, Highlands finished four games out of fourth place (the top four teams in each 4A district qualify for the playoffs),
This year, Highlands (17-19, 10-2) quickly rose to second place and has stayed there. Two wins last week cemented its status.
“Their confidence has improved,” fourth-year Highlands coach Jaci Barrientes said. “They actually have played with a lot of confidence this year.
“This year, they’re able to execute plays, then get the ball over the net. They can be stronger with their attacks and their able to put a game plan in place. But one of the biggest things is their confidence. That comes with experience.”
A minor adjustment got Highlands over the hump for a 14-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-12 win in a District 28-4A match Friday at Edison.
The Owls had to figure out the correct approach to deal with the Golden Bears’ height.
“They were blocking really well,” Barrientes said. “We just had a very slow start. Ultimately, hands down, I would say their blocking was key.
“We were trying to put things together. Going into Games 2, 3 and 4, we just needed to re-focus. We got away from the basics and we doing too much. After that, we were able to fight over their blocks.”
Highlands has been finding ways to win throughout the district season. It has lost only to first-place and state-ranked Brennan in 28-4A, most recently Oct. 4.
The Owls also defeated Fox Tech 25-21, 25-17, 25-14 Oct. 8. Their winning streak stood at two games entering the last two weeks of the district season. They were scheduled to play host to third-place Brackenridge (12-22, 8-3) Tuesday and Young Women’s Leadership Academy in a 7:30 p.m. match Friday at Lanier.
“If we can get through this week, we can clinch a playoff spot and make plans for the postseason,” Barrientes said. “We’re prepared and ready for Brack. We’ll try to hang onto the second-place spot we have.”
The tipping point for the Edison match was employing all of the Owls’ weapons.
Five-foot-10 sophomore Jazmine Jackson led Highlands with 13 kills. Sophomore setter Analisa Garza distributed 25 assists. Junior Emily Pearce made 13 digs. Jessica Alvarez served two aces.
“In the first game, our setter was setting the outside a little too much,” Barrientes said. “We were getting away from our original game plan, which was setting our key hitters. We pride ourselves on being able to distribute the ball across the entire net.”
The 5-foot-3 Garza did not play the position much last year, but has become a consistent setter to implement the Owls’ attack. She has grown into a single-setter offense after beginning the season in a 6-2.
“(Other teams) have to adjust their blocking and defense to her,” Barrientes said. “Analisa has done well for us. Being so small, she isn’t able to block as much as some setters, but she’s held up her part.”
Jackson has been the kill leader in recent matches, although returning starters junior middle blocker Jenna Thompson, sophomore Bryten Mitchan and senior Melody Guzman usually aren’t far behind.
“She has such a high reach, her athleticism allow her to be more of a target,” Barrientes said of Jackson. “She came in late last year and she started out in the middle. She’s made that transition and has really stepped into that outside hitter spot”
Alvarez also has been relocated since last year. The5-5 senior libero was an outside hitter in 2012.
“Jessica is competitive. She wants to win,” Barrientes said. “We have girls that can hit the ball harder and put up a better block, but we need her on the floor. She has been a natural fit for the role.”
Pearce, a 5-7 middle blocker, and Garza are the only Owls who rotate throughout the lineup. Along with Thompson, she played on Highlands’ last playoff team two years ago, when it was in Class 5A.
“At the net, she slows down the ball and channels it to our defense,” Barrientes said. “She gets her share of tips and has the knowledge to make things work. If I take her out of the puzzle, it makes a difference.”
With Highlands likely on the verge of clinching a postseason berth, its biggest challenges loom ahead for a team that’s no longer on the outside looking in.
“Last year, they were so young, but as coaches we knew they could make it,” Barrientes said of the postseason. “It was just a matter of how fast they would get there. In the offseason, they played in clubs, went to clinics and picked up a lot of things. They put in the time, and it’s been paying off.
“It’s been pretty life-changing for some of the girls. It was a world they’d never seen before. Now some of them are planning on playing club in the offseason. It’s been a blessing. I can’t take anything away from them. They’re doing the work.”
SAN ANTONIO SOUTH SIDE SPORTS 