The varsity volleyball team will be going head to head against Denton Ryan on Friday, September the 28th. Head volleyball Coach Libby Rodriguez is very confident about the team.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Rodriguez says. “The mentality of our team is strong and they’re hungry [for a win] so I’m feeling really good.”

The team relies on all 12 of the girls to win, but there are some key players to watch out for. Rodriguez describes Junior setter Kristyn Nicholson as the team’s “quarterback”, and sees Nicholson as a great advantage on Denton Ryan.

“I think that one difference is that our setter is very good. She’s one of the top setters in the state, in my opinion, and has the potential to be one of the top setters in the nation-if she ever decides that that’s what she really wants,” Rodriguez said. “I think that’s going to help give us an edge on Denton Ryan, so we’ll really rely on her.”

Although Lewisville is confident in their victory, Rodriguez views Denton Ryan as any other team.

“I really just go into every match feeling that we’re the underdog, and we’re gonna have to work to get every point, and we’re gonna have to work to get that win,” Rodriguez said. “And so really, our mindset is to outwork the other side. No matter how good or bad they are, we’re gonna outwork them in every position.”

Rodriguez is a new coach this year, and says the team has made progress since she first met them.

“When I first got there, I just saw a bunch of really athletic girls playing volleyball,” Rodriguez said. “And now, they’re starting to mold into volleyball players, so it’s really exciting. I think that we’ve leaped some bounds as far as playing as a team and individually as well. I think the girls have grown individually as players and they’re becoming more disciplined. So I definitely think that’s a big difference from last year.”