Friday, Sep. 26, 2008

Senior Setting the Tone for Lady Marauders

MHS Volleyball

By Kevin Lonnquist

Staff Writer

A volleyball team is only as good as its setter. So when Marcus coach Cristie Liles gave the keys of her 6-2 offense to senior Lauren Cooke, she recognized there would be a period of transition.

For one, Cooke, a three-year varsity letter winner, had always played behind veterans, so few players turned to her for leadership. And then there was just being on the floor and playing for an extended period of time.

"It was basically like climbing the ladder for her to do this," Liles said. "This time, she wasn’t going to be overshadowed. She knew she was going to have to be the leader."

The results through two-thirds of the season indicate this team has carried on with Cooke running matters. Marcus was 22-9 and had won five of its last six matches prior to Tuesday’s final non-district match with Mesquite. District 6-5A play begins tonight at Lewisville.

The serve receive game has been Liles’ focus this year. Marcus’ defense continues to set the pace, but Liles wants her back row to get the ball to Cooke so she can get the offense operating as efficiently as possible.

"There were a lot of nerves and stress at first," Cooke said. "It definitely has been an eye-opening experience for me. It was kind of like, 'Whoa. I’m really here."

Marcus’ non-district season has been challenging by scheduling Highland Park twice, Lake Highlands twice and traditional powers Plano West, Allen, Arlington and Arlington Martin.

It’s been a split. The Lady Marauders lost all four meetings with Highland Park and Lake Highlands, but they have defeated Plano West, Arlington twice and Arlington Martin. During that time, it was up to Cooke to develop a strong rapport with her hitters in seniors Lyndi Johnson and Michelle Hundt.

As with any offense, it’s going to be a matter of timing. When Cooke came up the varsity in 2006, she was the third option behind Jenna Miller and Becky Peterson. After Peterson left the program in 2007, Cooke was Miller’s understudy.

The two bonded by talking strategy, learning how to play the game and knowing when to use what kind of emotions.

"Jenna just told me how much I needed to be moving the ball to the right spots, and to get to know the hitters so well that it comes naturally," Cooke said. "It was not a natural thing for me, because I knew I had to prove myself."

So she has used force of action to dictate the team’s rhythm. The serve-receive has been essential for Cooke and her hitters’ timing. Since Sept. 1, Marcus could be one of the hottest teams in the area.

Cooke is on pace to finish at or near 500 assists. This month, she has been averaging 20-25 assists per game. Miller set the tone last year, when she finished with well over 600 helpers.

Marcus is a strong contender for the district championship. The Lady Marauders will likely battle Carroll and Hebron. They already lost to Carroll in the Allen tournament and have only watched Hebron play.

But should Cooke continue with the tempo that she is setting, Marcus should be in line to at least make the postseason for the third consecutive season.

"What I am more proud of is that she is stepping up and getting what we’re doing," Liles said. "When you have a senior that puts people in the right spot, you’re always going to have a chance."

Notable

When Marcus plays at Carroll on Tuesday, District 6-5A will be celebrating its "Pink-Out" night. The event spreads the word on breast cancer awareness and celebrates its survivors. Fans who wear pink get free admission to the matches. Donations will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation For The Cure.