Let's Stay Together

The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College volleyball team recently com-pleted an unprecedented season and established itself as a program on the rise.

The Scorpions finished at 36-9, as both undefeated Red River Athletic Conference regular season and tournament champions, NAIA Region VI champs and tied for fifth nationally.

In retrospect, that may have been the easy part. While UTB-TSC accomplished far more in 2007 than anyone expected, they must now try to curb a disturbing trend of migration. If the Scorpions truly want to be a NAIA national power then they must stabilize the program, something that has proved elusive recently.

Following a 27-12 run last season in their initial year in the NAIA, two-thirds of the team, including head coach Bruce Atkinson, departed for various reasons. Atkinson accepted a job at Hawaii-Hilo and took Laura Rodriguez and Lauren Bayer with him.

Greta Billerbeck and Lindsay Madsen each moved back to Iowa and Las Vegas, respectively. Mariana Naldi graduated, and Joanna Knight returned to her hometown of Denton. And last but not least, Bridgette Longoria’s left the school for unspecified reasons.

“Two years ago we were a JUCO team so that (a high turnover rate) was expected,” UTB-TSC Athletic Director Dan Huntley said. “Now we are recruiting players for four years and we are more careful of why they are coming. We want student-athletes who are interested in what we can offer both academi-cally and athletically instead of loading up for one season.”

Coach Marcus Young is the Scorpion’s third coach in as many years and is hoping to provide some sta-bility to the program. His contract is up this month, but he is expecting to be offered and accept a new one-year deal soon.

“I think we are all on the same page. We want the national championship,” Young said. “The national championship is the ultimate goal, not a dream. We’re going to be better because we’re going to know each other. The core of the team is expected to return, we just need to add some depth at middle blocker and replace (graduating senior) Jenny Ashley on the right side.”

The fact that Young is expected to return for a second season is a feat in itself, but Huntley has been tight lipped about a new deal for Young. He was quick to point out that the Scorpions are only in their second year in the NAIA with a better idea of what they are looking for in potential recruits and a legiti-mate shot at establishing themselves as a force.

“It was a fantastic season. They went above and beyond our expectations,” Huntley said. “You never know what could happen. We could have a couple of injuries that could ruin the season but definitely expectations will be there for success (in 2008).”

The returning core that, as of today, is expected to back next season is led by a trio of seniors in outside hitter Katie Japp (331 kills, 82 blocks, 385 digs), setter Daianarah Bracero (1783 assists, 181 kills, 215 digs) and outside hitter Claudia Alarcon (522 kills, 500 dig, 50 blocks).

Japp welcomes Young’s return as she has had a different coach every year since her freshman year in high school.

“I think definitely it would be good for the program to have the same coach next season,” Japp said. “I also think we need to bring in a few big studs up front for some depth and then the sky’s the limit for us.”

Another big piece to the puzzle will be second-team NAIA All-American middle blocker Talita Mila-sauskas. Despite being a freshman, Milasauskas led the Scorpions in kills (658), blocks (236) and aces (86) and consistently intimidated opposing front line players at the net. Her decision to return will be critical for UTB-TSC in 2008.

“It was a really good season. Little by little we improved together,” she said. “Right now I’m trying to focus on school and my grades. I hope (to be back) but we’ll just have to talk and see what happens.”

Even if another fire sale ensues before the beginning of the next season, 2007 is in the books and will be one that they will remember around the UTB-TSC campus for a long time, and no one can ever take that away from them.