JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
Marble Falls High School head volleyball coach Julie Downs (left) praises middle blocker Taylor Brackenridge for being named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
MARBLE FALLS — Members of the Marble Falls High School volleyball and cross-country teams were praised for their dedication in the 2013 season at an awards ceremony Dec. 11.
“We’re excited to share our journey,” Marble Falls athletics director Todd Dodge said. “This is about the young ladies and young men who represent the community during the fall of 2013.”
All athletes and student-trainers received certificates of participation.
Volleyball coach Julie Downs said her players learned so much about themselves during the season.
“The most important thing we learned this season is how tough we are because I think we’re tougher than people give us credit for,” she said.
With Dripping Springs winning the Class 4A Region IV tournament, the Lady Tigers became the fourth consecutive District 25-4A squad to advance to the state tournament. And Downs said Marble Falls led Dripping Springs 8-1 and 10-2 during a set when the two squads met.
Marble Falls High School defensive specialist Lacie Long (right) gets a hug from head volleyball coach Julie Downs after receiving the award for the team’s Defensive Specialist of the Year. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
Marble Falls High School senior runner Jordan Wright (right) accepts the award for the Mustangs’ Most Outstanding Runner for 2013 by assistant cross-country coach Amanda Carpenter. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
“It’s an honor to have the kids to coach on a daily basis,” Downs said. “I’d like to say thanks to the Lady Mustangs. This is an amazing group of young ladies.”
Cross-country head coach Anthony Torns recounted the season that included a return trip for senior Jordan Wright to the Class 4A state meet, where he finished fourth, senior Darby Hibbs advancing to the state meet for the first time, and the Lady Mustangs junior varsity team repeating as district champions.
“There were special things about this year,” Torns said. “I tell our kids to run out of gratefulness.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com
VOLLEYBALL: (team awards) Most Valuable Player – Haley Coulter; Offensive Player of the Year – Taylor Brackenridge; Defensive Player of the Year – Jackie Winn; Defensive Specialist of the Year – Lacie Long. Academic all-state – Coulter and Amanda Thomas
CROSS COUNTRY: (team awards) outstanding runners – Jordan Wright and Darby Hibbs; Most Improved – Ishmael Montoya and Maddie Conrad; Newcomers of the Year – Christian Marroqin and Jackie Salazar; Senior Award – Colten Hagood, Darby Hibbs, Haley Stephens, Aaron Stewart, Sarah Stripling, Wright. All-district – Wright, D’Anthony Wall, Marroqin, Rafael Villareal, Hibbs, Sydney Givson, Salazar, Emma Sharp, Tincia Ware; academic all-district — Hagood, Wright, Stewart, Tess Johnson, Stephens, Stripling; academic all-state – Hagood, Wright, Stewart, Stephens, Stripling
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