Lobos seek a turnaround volleyball season

Natalia Cabralez passes the ball toward a teammate during a district volleyball contest last season. (Photo by Pete Luna|Leader-News)

The Uvalde Lobos did not enjoy a lot of success in volleyball last season.

But with a big majority of players from last year’s varsity team returning, Coach Debra Martinez is confident that the Lobos can stage a turnaround in 2025.

“We graduated a lot of seniors from the previous year and began last season with a young volleyball team in terms of age and experience,” said Coach Martinez. “We started out with only four returning varsity players.”

The Lobos won only five out of their 31 matches, including only one District 27-4A match. Their lone district win was a thrilling 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 22-25, and 16-14 victory over the Pearsall Mavericks on Sept. 20 in Harvey Kinchlow Gym.

“We had a young team playing in a tough district race. Our girls were challenged on trust and team bonding. We tried to close the gaps as the season went along,” said Martinez. “We played a lot of young players, who gained a lot of experience. We hope to build on that as we begin this new volleyball season.”

Coach Martinez returns nine of the 13 players from last year’s varsity and hopes to gain some help from other young players, including a strong incoming freshman class.

“Our expectations will be higher,” said Martinez. “We will work for team accountability. We hope to set the tone from the first day of practice. Team unity is a priority. If we focus on these things, we can be successful.”

Aug. 1 is the date for the first official practice session of the season for the 2025 Lobos.

But Martinez hopes that the Lobos will take advantage of an open gym this summer to work on their volleyball skills.

“Open gym begins on June 2, from 4 to 6 p.m., while the strength and conditioning program will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays,” said Martinez. “Our two-a-day practices will start at 6 to 8 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 1.”

The Lobos will begin regular-season competition on Aug. 12 at Lytle. The 2025 season home opener is set for Aug. 26 when the Uvalde girls will host San Antonio Kennedy.

Prior to the Kennedy match, the Lobos will take part in the Hondo tournament and the Floresville tournament. Other pre-district opponents will include San Antonio Western Hills, Utopia, and Charlotte.

District 27-4A action will begin for the Lobos on Sept. 9 at Pleasanton.

They will play at Devine on Sept. 12, before making their district home debut against Somerset on Sept. 16 in Kinchlow Gym.

Floresville, Devine, Somerset, and Carrizo Springs were the top four teams in district volleyball last season. They appear to be the teams to beat against in 2025.

“I am confident that if we focus and change for the better, we are going to compete and put Uvalde High School back on the volleyball map.”