Box Score BY MIKE MONTFORT
Off Lewis Orr Court they trotted Wednesday, not to return for a match in 20 days. Navarro Volleyball secured its second home win, its fourth straight overall, a seventh sweep, and a milestone victory for third-year coach Ariel Apolinario before setting sail on a soiree through South Texas.
The 16th -ranked Bulldogs celebrated Apolinario's 50th head-coaching victory after upending Tyler, 25-19, 25-17, 25-23. It appears that the drive is on -- not just the one that's ahead this week for Cash Phillips and his trusty GPS.
Navarro msy be beginning to feel the rhythm as it embarks on Region XIV road trips Tuesday to Coastal Bend, Thursday to Victoria, Friday to Baytown for the two-day Lee Invitational, and Monday at Brenham against reigning league champion Blinn. Within a week, the Bulldogs (12-2/2-1) will have challenged three conference foes and another four quality opponents while participating in their third classic of the season.
Region XIV Player of the Week Hanna Tylska provided her seventh kill-dig double double Wednesday in her typically full stat chart as Navarro's 11-player rotation hit .290 and extended their consecutive-set victory streak to seven. Tylska had 16 kills, 13 digs, four service aces and two block assists in the win over TJC.
Fellow freshman Kalina Pylinska added 11 kills as the Bulldogs amassed more than 45 in a match for the 10th time. Sophomore Ana Beatriz Nunes Dos Santos contributed eight kills and a team-high five block assists. The Brazilian's averaged 10 kills over her last three matches. Setters Berfin Mertcan and Alivia Sotelo combined for 40 assists. Lilouann Bechec recorded her fourth consecutive match of double figures in digs and her 10th overall with a team-high 16.
So much for home sweet home.
On their upcoming trip, the Bulldogs will deal with improved programs at CBC (7-5) and Victoria, though they remain winless after three conference matches. Each team, guided by an interim coach, met with early successes while competing against mostly NJCAA Division III opponents from Dallas Athletic Conference programs in weekend classics.
At CBC, Macy Dion is in her sixth year and second term with an 'interim' tag. Her first 'interim' role in 2019 resulted in a 12-18 record, two conference wins and four players moving to the next level. The former Frank Phillips assistant has been part of the program's three Region XIV Tournament appearances.
Victoria, now in its fourth year, likely will surpass its program record for single-season wins (10) behind interim head coach Skylar Chereene. The 2016 graduate of Industrial High School put on hold plans to become a dental hygienist as she began her freshman season for Victoria College Club Volleyball – then in the Texas Collegiate Sports League. As VC's assistant for three years, she's helped the program transition from TCSL to NJCAA Division I and Region XIV.
The Pirates, returning four players, experienced multiple pre-season successes against Division III programs from the Dallas Athletic Conference (DAC). VC's top returners include defensive specialists Julie Morris of Goliad and Addison Amick of Boerne. Amick led the team with 372 digs in 29 matches last season.
There's also been change at Lee College, where athletic teams now are known as 'Navigators'. The mascot rebranding became official July 22.
Returning head coach Danielle Essix put together an eight-team, two-day classic that begins next Friday at the Lee Spots Complex in Baytown. Navarro joins conference members Wharton, Panola and Lee in a field that includes the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) Golden Eagles (8-4), plus Division II's St. Johns River State (11-4) and Division III teams from the DAC – Mountain View and Cedar Valley.
On Friday, NC draws Mountain View at 2 pm and traditional power CSI at 6 pm. The 'Dawgs conclude play Saturday at 9 am against St. Johns River State and at 1 pm with Cedar Valley's Suns.
NC's first heavy-hitting feature match of the weekend occurs Friday afternoon against coach Jim Cartisser;s Golden Eagles, who already have challenged seven of the NJCAA Division I's Top 12 ranked teams nased on the September 3 poll, including NMMI, Western Nebraska, Utah State-Eastern, Miami Dade, Missouri State-West Plains, plus two upcoming matches in Region 18 Scenic West Athletic Conference play against Salt Lake and Snow.
