Posted: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:43 AM - 7,281 Readers

By: David DeKunder

After having won its second district title in a row, the Steele Lady Knights volleyball team is focusing on the next thing on its to-do list — win a state title.

Steele wrapped up defense of its District 27-4A crown last Friday by sweeping Kerrville Tivy in three games, extending its win streak in district to 22 games, dating back to last season.

The Lady Knights, 34-2 overall, 11-0 in district and ranked No. 6 in the state, ended the regular season Tuesday on the road against neighborhood rival Clemens. Now Steele awaits its first-round playoff opponent, the fourth-place finisher from District 28-4A, which will be Burbank or Brackenridge.

Steele coach Cathy Glunt said she was hoping the Lady Knights would start playoff action possibly by Monday, with her team and yet-to-be determined opponent flipping for home court advantage.

Glunt said the Lady Knights are peaking at the right time as they get ready for the playoffs, and that her squad is even better than last year, when they advanced to the regional finals, one game short of going to the state tournament.

“I think we are a better all-around team this year,” Glunt said. “We have a very deep bench. If anybody is having an off-game, I can put anyone in there.”

Six-foot-three senior middle blocker McKenzie Adams is Steele's sparkplug. Adams, who has committed to the University of Virginia, is averaging seven kills per game, best in the San Antonio area.

Glunt said Adams has raised her game to a higher level since last season. “She goes around people and over them,” the coach said. “She sees the court better than she saw it last year; she is a force to be reckoned with.”

Besides Adams, Glunt said a couple of other players have also elevated their games, including outside hitters Shelbie Mitchell and Rebekah Rightnour, and middle blocker Taylor Calvert.

“Last year, we pretty much set to McKenzie only,” Glunt said. “This year we have two outside hitters and a rightside hitter (Calvert) who are able to get the kills. Rightnour is only a sophomore; she is just a stud. She is amazing. I have more weapons this year.”

By having more players involved in the offensive attack, Glunt said it will give Steele a better chance of advancing to state and beating the likes of Lake Travis, who defeated the Lady Knights in last year's regional finals, and other top contenders such as Pflugerville Hendrickson and Austin McCallum.

“When Lake Travis beat us last year, their whole goal was to shut down McKenzie,” Glunt said. “This year we can actually go to other people. Last year if someone shut down McKenzie, we had no one else to go to.”

Part of Steele's diversified offensive attack can be credited to the play of junior Maddie Milner, the top setter in the area with 10 assists per game. Defensive specialist Megan Lee is the top digs leader with five per match.

Glunt said the Lady Knights have the talent to become state champions, now it is just going out there and proving it.

“We are trying to win state,” she said. “Whether it occurs is up to (the girls). They got to show up and play.”

*  Story Contributed by: David DeKunder