The Pasadena Eagles are getting used to their new district with the likes of West Fork, Splendora, Kingwood Park, Dayton, Crosby and Porter.
They have gotten off to a slow start, but the future looks bright as they find their wings.
“We wanted the noise, now we have to be the noise,” coach Carmen Martinez laughed. “I really enjoy this district because it is so competitive. Every night, any team can win and that truly makes you better.”
Leading the way has been Caryme Molina, who is the team’s setter and leading hitter.
“She has been a gracious leader,” Martinez said. “She builds her young teammates up but also demands a lot from them and that is hard to do. She instills confidence in our team.
“The setting in this district is amazing and she is one of the best. She has to make plays for us all game long and I’m trying to get her more into the offense.”
It’s been the little things for the Eagles who are on the cusp of the playoff conversation.
“We are very young with eight underclassmen, but they are playing really hard,” she said. “You can’t lose focus though and we have to finish games. We were up 12 in a game last week with Kingwood Park and blew it. We couldn’t get over that mental hurdle and get back in the match. Being mentally inexperienced has hurt us a little this year.”
The mission is still the postseason as she continues to push her team to do the intangibles to get back in the win-column.
“That inner dog is going to have to come out, or we are going to get eaten up.”