MEET THE 32-2A DISTRICT VOLLEYBALL CHAMPS — Lady Badger varsity team members include front row, from left to right, Rina Rivera, Briana Reyna, Coralie Saenz, Chrissy Gonzalez, Elizabeth Pierce, Amy Zuniga, Laura Hernandez; back row, Varsity Head Coach Flor Pena-Buchanan, Tori Geryk, Tessa Miller, Kasey Cavazos, Regan Gonzalez, Christina Wilborn, and Nereida Perez. Not pictured are Amanda Soliz and Assistant Coaches Magda Leal-Vera and Leanna Cavazos. (Photos by Fred Salinas) The Bishop Lady Badgers varsity volleyball team can now be called district champions after going undefeated in district play.

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Lady Badgers had already clinched the title, but continued to play hard with no let down finishing with a 23-8 overall record including tournaments and 12-0 in district.

“Bishop is a softball town in girls sports, but we proved that we can also compete in volleyball. This year was supposed to be a rebuilding year but these girls worked hard,” Bishop Lady Badgers Head Coach Flor Pena- Buchanan said.

Kasey Cavazos and Tessa Miller team up to block opponent’s spike. “This is the first time we won the district championship outright, having shared it with Riviera a few times in the five years I have coached here in Bishop,” Pena-Buchanan said.

“The key to our success was that we finally played as a team. The girls did almost everything together including eating lunch at the same table,” Pena-Buchanan said.

She went on to say that the “Champions Course” summer program helped with endurance and supports the course 100 percent.

“When we had to play all five games in a match, I feel our stamina contributed to us getting those hard fought victories,” Pena-Buchanan said.

Tori Geryk sets volleyball for teammate Briana Reyna at a recent game against San Diego. The team was led by captains Regan Gonzalez and Christina Wilborn, who pushed the team to excel by coming up with new ideas on improving technique and game play. Pena-Buchanan felt that the most improved player this season was Elizabeth Pierce.

“She came off the bench and did a great job for our team. I am proud of the whole team,” Pena-Buchanan said.

Assisting Pena-Buchanan were assistant coaches Leanna Cavazos and Magda Leal-Vera.

Cavazos led the freshman team to a district championship, losing only one game in district play, while Leal-Vera also led the JV team to a district title, with one loss in district.

The Lady Badgers varsity team advance into the playoffs to face the winner of the Refugio-Danbury game that will be played Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“Volleyball is a game of momentum but if my team plays the way I know they can play, we can go deep into the playoffs,” Pena- Buchanan said.