Senior duo helping keep Grapevine on top

Some teams have senior-laden squads which help them make a march toward a district title. For Grapevine’s volleyball team, that senior contingent is just a pair.

As the Lady Mustangs went to an 8-0 district mark through last Friday’s win over Dunbar, the two seniors, Payton Gidney and Taylor Kress, are helping mentor and set examples for the younger players.

They were also a part of last year’s undefeated district team which went to the third round of the playoffs under then first-year head coach Kori Cooper.

Now, the seniors are learning more about Cooper’s style and helping to integrate the underclassmen to the new path being set for Grapevine.

“We definitely think last year was a learning experience,” Gidney said, noting that it was her first year as a starter and she felt she was finally able to have an impact on the team’s success. “I’m more comfortable with my role and becoming more consistent with my play.”

Kress realizes many other teams will have eight or 10 seniors, but it doesn’t seem strange to her for just the two at Grapevine.

Although Senior Night will obviously be a short ceremony at Grapevine, the team outcome is the focus for Kress and Gidney.

“This year we’ve done pretty well,” Kress said, and she credits most of the team playing together at summer tournaments before they reported back on Aug. 3 for workouts.

While both seniors play on the right side for Grapevine, the leadership role is spread across the court.

As the district schedule winds down – just four games remaining – the seniors recognize what will be behind them in a short time.

“Every game means more to me,” Gidney said as she approaches the end of her final year. “It motivated me to play better. It’s sentimental playing through the last round of district. It goes fast.”

Kress said it really hasn’t hit her yet that each game will be the last in the cycle of competition with district foes.

Those opponents know what they’re up against, and the senior said they realize there’s a target on their backs.

“We didn’t know what to expect at first,” Gidney said, “but we kind of know our strengths and weaknesses and know the leadership falls on our shoulders.”

Gidney hinted she’s more vocal and Kress is more of a leader by example, so it’s a good balance.

But the two don’t get any special treatment as the only seniors.

“We still have to put up and take down the nets,” Kress joked. “We just got to keep the same locker [as last year].”

This story was originally published October 12, 2015 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Senior duo helping keep Grapevine on top."