After a historic 2018 season that saw their first ever playoff appearance, the Vidor Lady Pirate volleyball team is building something special in southeast Texas. In order to advance to last year playoffs, Vidor had to break a fourth place tie with a "play in" match versus Dayton, they would win in three straight.
Their sights are now set on making the playoffs past the fourth seed and challenging Nederland and possibly Port Neches-Groves for a top two seed.
"There's no reason why we can't come in second, third, or fourth (this season). Barber's Hill is a powerhouse and always has been," said Vidor head volleyball coach Melissa Story.
Vidor returns a solid core with captains Brooklyn Healy (2021, OH, S), Ashleigh Sherman (2021, RS, S), and Kiley Brown (2020, DS) with senior RS Jordyn Burks. The leadership will help guide a younger squad in 2019 that includes two freshmen Rylee Sherman and Brillie Cornelison.
"Healy, Sherman, and Brown will have big roles for us this year with the experience they bring," said Story, voted as the Southeast Texas Coaches Association Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2018.
"Getting them to help guide the freshman on varsity and several sophomores, getting them in the groove of high level competition we see, so far they've been fantastic with their role."
The Lady Pirates playoff aspirations will most likely come down to the final week as they play on the road versus district powerhouse Barber's Hill (October 22) and end their regular season at home against PNG (October 29).
"Being able to compete for a playoff position again this year would be fantastic for this program," said Story.
For Vidor will last years success be a flash in the pan or a spark that ignites a rocket?
We say strap yourselves in for a ride in 2019.
VYPE Podcast with Vidor Volleyball Coach Melissa Story