Lady Mustangs Volleyball: Hottest Game Around

If you have taken a look at what the Chisum High School Lady Mustangs have been achieving on the volleyball court during the first month of the season, you may be late to a great sports story developing in Roxton’s home school district. Since beginning the season on Aug. 11, the varsity volleyball team has amassed a 7-0 record in its early non-conference matches. What’s more, within those matches (typically contests based on a best out of 5 series of sets), the Mustangs have won 19 sets against just 5 by their opponents. The reasons for the hot start to the 2020 season are many, but fourth-year coach Laurie Nickerson, in her second round of coaching volleyball at Chisum, has to be given her share of the credit.

“I was at Chisum for nine seasons in the early 1990s,” Nickerson said. During her first stint at Chisum, Nickerson took the Lady Mustangs to the regional final. In her first three seasons back at the school, the team has qualified for the playoffs each year. Having reached the point where the program is becoming noticed statewide, Nickerson is focused on building the Lady Mustangs into a perennial threat at the district and even state levels.

“We have been very successful this year,” Nickerson told the Progress. She also noted that the team is “super excited” that they are getting to play in light of all the restrictions COVID-19 has placed on activities throughout the state. And the team is taking advantage of their opportunities, something recent Chisum volleyball teams have failed to do. But Nickerson is no stranger to Chisum or successfully guiding teams on the volleyball court.

Looking forward, Nickerson told The Paris News in a July interview, “It’s all about the kids here. They want to work, and they will run through walls for you.” She also noted the changes evident in her first three years back at Chisum. “Our girls get out there and get after it. They want to work hard, they want to be good, and they don’t complain aside from an occasional eye-roll or deep sigh, but you can see these traits from how they work in practice and in the weight room.”

After last Friday’s hard-fought win over Leonard, Nickerson added, “This team is full of hustle and heart. They play together as a team — exhibiting a great amount of teamwork.”

The Lady Mustangs have a well-rounded varsity squad with three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and one freshman.

Nickerson said that senior Chloe Prestridge is dominant at the net and leads the team in blocks. Senior Kaci Williams plays libero and is our leader on the floor. The offensive is led by junior setter, Kelsea Ball, a three-year starter. Emmy Williams, a junior, leads with kills along with Chloe Prestridge.

“I have a team of all-around players who make amazing defensive plays,” Nickerson said. “Sophomores include Peyton Holland, who plays all the way around; Carly Bell, a transfer student, has stepped into the role of setter and has adjusted nicely; and Brylea Marshall is nerves of steel on the back and can come in and play front row when needed.” Rounding out the squad are senior Zoé England, Emma Garner, freshman, and junior, Kennedi Pevey, each of whom plays outside hitter, “giving us big hits and blocks.”

While the Lady Mustangs are playing well, Coach Nickerson said there is plenty of room for improvement.

“We have started out strong,” Nickerson said, “but we still have work to do to fine-tune things before district, which will be very tough.” She added, “I feel like we are going to surprise a lot of teams. I feel like we are an unknown because we are capable of so much.”

This year’s August schedule has been shortened as compared to previous seasons. Several pre-season tournaments normally held in August were canceled due to COVID-19. But even with a truncated schedule, a review of Nickerson’s first three years at the helm of a team qualifying for the playoffs shows a dramatic increase in the level of play and the potential the 2020 Lady Mustangs have if reaching tournament play.

In the seasons beginning in 2017-2019, the Mustangs posted cumulative August match records of 62-70 with a total set winning percentage of .568. MaxPreps, a leading online provider of high school sports statistics, information, and computerized rankings, has never placed Chisum’s varsity team higher than 531st among Texas high schools (the 2014 team that posted a 28-13 overall match record). This August, the 7-0 match record and set winning percentage of .791 to date is a clear indication the fortunes of Mustang Volleyball are looking up. And MaxPreps has taken notice. As of Aug. 28, the Lady Mustangs ranked 58th among Texas high schools, 18th in District II, and 21st at the 3A level.

Over the next six weeks, the Lady Mustangs will play 12 matches, including 10 against conference opponents. Nickerson will be the first to tell you there isn’t a slouch on the schedule. In fact, conference schools Commerce, Rains, Lone Oak, and Edgewood have all played at high levels to date. Conference newcomer Grand Saline, despite a slow start, can’t be overlooked either. The Indians finished last season 2nd overall and 4th in conference play. But whatever remains to be learned about the 2020 Lady Mustangs volleyball team, one thing is for sure. For the first time in a long time, this is a team to be reckoned with and has a chance to make school history.

The only thing missing right now is you, Roxtonites and Chisum ISD residents, and supporters who are looking for some great sports action in this most unusual year for athletics. Be sure to catch an upcoming match. You’ll be watcher a winner in the making!