8/19/06 - The Madison Mavericks Varsity Volleyball Team got off to a fast start in District Play as they spoiled Wagner's district Home opener by defeating the T-Birds in three strait sets. The Mavs will go into week 2 tied for the district lead at 1-0 along with Reagan, Lee and Smithson Valley.
The Week started with a trip to Boerne where the Mavs got out of the Gate quick but could not put away the stubborn Greyhounds as they lost in strait sets. Madison would start the first set going up 4-1 before loosing 25-18. The Mavs would again put a scare into the Hounds as they would open up a 7-0 lead in the second set behind some outstanding serves by Senior #11 Lindsey Glassford. The Mavs would see that lead shrink and they would give up the second set to Boerne 25-22. The third set would be more of the same as Madison would jump out to a 4-2 lead only to see the Greyhounds close out the match 25-19. The traditionally hard hitting Greyhounds used tips and short serves to frustrate the Mavs all night and Madison had a hard time capitalizing on their early leads, but this match gave the James Madison Varsity Volleyball team a good look at where they stand against one of the areas top programs.
The Lady Mavs luck would change on Thursday as they started the NISD tournament against undefeated Warren. Madison and Warren would play in one of the more exciting first round matches of the Tournament as they would trade sets going into the third and deciding match in tournament play. The third match would go the distance and then some as the Mavs would have to go deep to defeat the Warriors 27-25 in the final set. The Win would push the Mavs into the winner’s bracket where district 26-5A foe Reagan was waiting. The Mavs fought hard but could not score the big upset against the #2 state ranked team Rattlers. District 26-5A will again be a tough road this year as all 5 teams in the NISD Volleyball tournament made it out of their first round matches into the winner’s bracket.
The Madison Volleyball team would not have much time to think about their loss as Friday the Mavs were slated to start district on the road at Wagner. Madison would have the honor of getting the first look out of District 26-5A at the brand new Wagner High School Volleyball team and the Wagner high school gym. Wagner (fist year at the varsity level) would enter the match, just like all of Madison other early season opponents, Undefeated at 3-0. Madison would spoil all of the fun for the T-Birds as they would pull out the three set victory 25-21, 25-22, 25-20. Madison was lead by #12 Senior Outside Hitter Amber Wetz with 18 kills; #15 Sophomore Setter May Allen would share time with #14 Junior Christi Ibarra setting the ball to Maverick hitters, while #4 Senior Defensive Specialist Spencer Ladd lead the team with digs with 5.
Madison would return Saturday to the NISD tourney only to find Boerne in their way of advancing to the Consolation semi-final. The Mavs would again work hard but could not get around the greyhounds and would finish the week with a loss. The Mavs start off the 2006 season 2-3 and 1-0 in district. The Mavs three losses came against the areas top 4A team (Boerne) and the areas top 5A team Reagan.
Things don’t get any easer for the James Madison Volleyball team this week as they face R.E. Lee on Tuesday in another district match before traveling up 35 to New Braunfels for a Friday / Saturday Tournament to close out the week.
GO MAVS!
AShley Butcher also led the team against Wagner with 4 blocks.
3:53 PM