Red Pepper

      I have always been curious as to why we refer to HS female teams as Lady Cardinals VB or Lady Bobcats VB, etc, when guys don't even play HS Volleyball in SE Texas?       I have never heard anyone refer to Gentlemen Football, Gentlemen Baseball, Gentlemen Basketball.       Seems like it would be easier to just call them Cardinal VB or Bobcat VB.  Some area female teams have dropped the "Lady" from the uniforms.       I always told my daughter to look like a lady and play like a man.  Just curious, GABE.

I agree with everything written by Evan Mohl of The Daily News. I can remember when one of the VB games were played on Saturday morning. Attendance was good at BC then even though VB wasn't as popular as it is today. I think a winning VB program will normally have fairly good attendance unless the school has an above average football team. I believe that any sport will suffer if they are forced to compete with the most popular sport on Friday night. Football avoided their overlapping schedules by playing HS on Friday, College on Saturday & Pro on Sunday. It is my opinion that most VB programs will never get support (money) unless they are no longer forced to compete with FB or athletic funds aren't partially distributed according to attendance. Any other sports want to volunteer to play on Friday nights in Texas? How about switching VB & BB? Don't think so.

Vidor job posted in April, Ozen in March nowhere near the same mess with the two teams hiring process.

I am so happy to see good things happenning to Sam, BC & Navarro College. Sam; you first impressed me when you stuffed "Precious" last season in the playoffs. Many hitters have wisely chosen to tip the ball when seeing the dominating "Big Red" blocker on the other side of the net. Good Luck in your college career. Good job, Coach Mathews Great Picture Gabe

Great Season OF and Good Luck HF.

Great win for the OF Program. Hope you go all the way. I am sure you will represent the district well. Good Luck

Congratulations to Coach Castino and the Lady Bears. You have an excellent program. We are all proud of you (Coach) and the super Athletes. I know you will represent the area well and probably win state. Good Luck

I don't think a Student/Athlete should be recruited unless all athletics in that school have been officially cancelled for the school year. Have all athletics been cancelled in BC? If YES' let them go. If NO, schools that attempt to recruit should be severely punished. In some states, even private schools must have approval from the public HS before playing a student/athlete in a Varsity game. Come on; I thought only private schools like Kelly, public schools within BISD, colleges & professionals could recruit athletes.

Congratulations Coach Castino and ladies for conquering a team with a winning tradition like PNG. No one deserves this win more than you.

Looks like Coach Mathews is trying to get the ladies playing together since returning Sam to the lineup. Sometimes it takes a while and sometimes a coach can never create/recreate a winning lineup after changing the rotation of the players. If anyone can get Big Red playing together; I'm confident she will have all those Super Sophomores "Gelling" with the few Juniors & Seniors soon.

I kinda agree with you dad33. However, I probably would say one of the following: Confidence can be an asset in competition. and/or Overconfidence can be a distractor in competition. I fully agree with two remarks by revfalk in reference to #5's prediction. "Let's see how thinks play out for them." & "This is going to be one of their better years ever." Bobcat05; I'm sure you are right when you say "she is up for the challenge". Peace to my Brothers & Sisters from OF.

Might make the team even better when Sam returns. She is a powerful force to be dealt with on the front line. She has the ability to discourage good hitters which she showed in last year's playoffs. Of course this is only good news if Coach Mathews can fit her into the lineup without loosing the current team chemistry. I have confidence that she will continue making her team better and better.

Way to go Big Red. You are getting stronger and stronger each day. Once you understand everything that Coach Mathews is trying to teach you and you get all your players back, you are going to be even better. Good Luck this season and Post Season.

The young lady has a wicked serve. I doubt if I could even get out of the path of one of her intimidating serves. Good Job, Kosh.

I agree with your comments Bleed Orange. I wasn't aware that OF had a Girls Coordinator. Leave it to OF to lead in this area. Vidor had a Girls Coordinator (Don't know if she is still doing the work) that was primarily someone that only communicated to the girls coaches without compensation. Can you tell us some of her duties and if she is compensated for this extra work?

DP#1FAN, I fully understand that teachers need the money. I also know that the coaches and everyone needs money. I also think that the extra money that the AD gets could be split (Boys AD has more responsibility than the ladies) with a girls AD/Coordinator to make everything "Fair & Balanced" without putting additional money into athletics. The coaches are also teachers, have the same education classes while some even have more formal education than the teachers. Coaches sometimes work more hours directly with the children than the teachers. Bottom line is that while I know the kids are in school to be educated, we also need to support our athletic program or do away with it all together. I think we would have a riot if we raise taxes or do away with athletics. Sorry if I offended you. Thanks for your excellent comments

I am just so happy someone from a larger area than the Triangle thinks that any team in our district is rated in the top 10 in Texas. The district is finally getting the respect and recognition that we all deserve. Every team should be congratulating BC rather than saying "Don't see them staying ranked for long". Come on Bobcat, show a little love and compassion for your neighbors to the south. We are very proud and happy when you get in the BB playoffs even if you aren't always ranked # 6 in the state. Here's hoping the Bobcats go all the way to state in VB this season.

As you know Bobcat05, teams are honored in preseason by being ranked (ranking is usually just considered an honor in preseason) according to their winning record in recent years, their Coach, the overall quality of their school VB Program, the strength of the district or possibly just by tossing a coin. Who knows what their technique was this year. Let's let BC have their day/s in the sun & don't count them out too early. I think they have earned the honor. We should consider their ranking as good for the district even if we "Don't see them ranked for long".

LCM is very fortunate to have Coach Vicki Castino. She has really built a program since her arrival there. It's just unbelievable that such a program could have been developed in only a short time. Good Job Coach.

We are so blessed to have many good VB coaches in the Triangle like Coach Mathews. They not only have to compete with Friday Night Football, they must sell a sport that most parents aren't exposed to until their daughter gets in JH. Most areas have a strong feeder program such as SB and BB but not in VB. Thanks to all of you for your hard work and dedication.

Why is it so difficult to get/keep female coaches in VB, BB & SB? Some of the things that I can think of are as follows: - Not enough pay - No community support - Loosing program - Bad teaching environment - Small school - Bad bosses - No athletes - Not enough ladies get into or stay in the coaching profession - Girls programs don't get equal respect/attention/funds as the boys - No affordable community feeder programs One of the Ads toughest jobs is hiring female coaches for girls programs. Some schools seem to do great while some continue to struggle. I still believe that all schools need a Female AD over the girls programs. Arrangements could be made so as not to financially overburden schools.

I think all schools should have 2 Athletic Directors with one being a lady that coaches one of the sports that ladies participate in. I don't think the young ladies will ever progress as they can until this happens. Schools can easily afford this improvement. All AD's probably welcome this change and all lady sports would surely prosper.

I think that all schools should be like PNG and have a Boys AD (Football coach) and a Girls AD (Volleyball Coach).

How many area volleyball coaches actually played HS VB in the Golden Triangle? If any, which school did they play for, and finally, did the school get in the playoffs that year/s? ???

It's hard to ever count out PNG, Ned & LCM. Ozen always manages to get good athletes. Probably left out a number of powerful schools. Does anyone know if Shy Randall will be the Ozen Coach this year?