The Lindsay Lady Knights are packing for their second long trip of the year. The trophy they brought back from that trip in August, as nice as it is, doesn't begin to compare with what is at stake on this road trip.
Lindsay is just one game away from the state championship game. It may only be this school's fourth year to field a varsity volleyball team, but they learned something very important from that first long trip of the year: They know they deserve to be here.
It was a bit of genius, fate or both that sent the Lindsay girls south to Bronte, Texas in the last week of August for the Class A Showdown. Yes, it was a grueling 550-mile round trip from Lindsay to Bronte, but the Lady Knights were there to compete with some of the other elite programs in Texas such as Windthorst, Bronte, Albany and Flatonia.
Nobody could touch Lindsay and the Lady Knights hauled off the best hardware. But even more interesting, at least now, is the fact that the team Lindsay will square off with in the state semifinals -- Bronte -- is the team the Lady Knights beat in the semifinals of the Class A Showdown.
Of course, that sword cuts both ways. Yes, Lindsay gets the edge in confidence, but Bronte gets the edge in incentive. Just like in the match with Albany, every top caliber team will hit the court with a vengeance when the No. 1 ranked team in Texas is on the other side of the net. Ever since winning the Class A Shootout, Lindsay has worn a bull’s-eye on their back that goes along with being the top team in the polls. To paraphrase the old Rod Stewart song, they've worn it well.
"I am very proud of all of these girls on this team," says Lindsay head coach Bridget Anderle. "We made a commitment to each other before the season ever started to come together as a team. We knew we could get a lot accomplished, together.
"The four seniors on this team have worked really hard at keeping us on that track. They have set the example for the younger girls on the team. Brenna Mlinar, my setter, has been the vocal leader of this team all season - she is the glue that keeps us together. The other three seniors, Kristin Martin(MB), Kaylee Muphree(MB), and Jessica Thurman(DS) have led more by example.
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Lindsay Lady Knight seniors (clockwise, from top: Kaylee Murphree, Kristin Martin, Brenna Mlinar and Jessica Thurman
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"I have coached a lot of seniors over the years, but it is obvious from coaching this group this year, that these girls are truly on a mission. They know what they want!
"In the three years I have been at Lindsay, each year we have improved tremendously. I think the success we experienced the last two years has really helped us accomplish our goals this year. I can only believe that this remarkable season will have a huge impact on our younger girls. They have experienced what working hard everyday can do for you.
"Coaching in Lindsay has been a blessing for me. It has allowed me to coach my family members, but more importantly has allowed me to coach in a community where everyone has a tremendous work ethic. It does not matter which competition we are competing in, I always know that the Lindsay kids will give me their all.
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Lindsay head coach Bridget Anderle with a pair of Lady Knights who just happen to be her nieces, Kristin Martin and Jordan Fleitman
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"To be successful at the UIL State Volleyball Tournament we will need to continue to play with intensity, and do the things that got us to this level. I really believe these senior girls will continue to set the example of doing whatever it takes."
The Lindsay Lady Knights made school history with their victory in the Region II-1A Finals. While they've got that history book open, four seniors want to make sure they finish what they started, which means they have two more chapters to write.
Bronte knows what's coming at them.
Everybody knows Lindsay has been the No. 1 team all year.
The Lady Knights aren't gonna sneak up on anybody.
But they don't have to.
