Lady Dragons would relish district title
Any coach will tell you the obvious: winning a district championship ranks behind winning a state championship and regional championship.
Those latter two show that the program defeated some quality competition in order to reach or win the state tournament. But there is something about winning a district championship that offers a different appreciation.
A team has battled for nearly two months against the other teams in its district. It’s had to protect its home floor and then find a way to win on the road. It’s a simple formula. But it takes more to execute it than just talk.
Carroll wants that feeling to return. After finishing in second place in District 7-6A in 2014, the Lady Dragons (38-3, 10-0) are looking to win it this year. After their second bye on Tuesday, Carroll plays host to Colleyville Heritage on Friday. A win secures at least a share of the district championship. Carroll would then play host to archrival Coppell next Tuesday (Oct. 27) with the possibility of wrapping up the outright title. If Carroll sweeps those two matches, the Lady Dragons would also reach the 40-win mark for at least the fourth consecutive season.
“Last year, we had a goal to win a district championship and that didn’t happen,” head coach Ryan Mitchell said. “But what a district championship does is that it speaks to longevity.
“When it comes to your district, you have no control over that. The state does [with alignment]. It’s important because you’re winning over your rivals year in and year out. It represents a body of work.”
Tuesday’s bye will be just a regular workday. Mitchell said he and his team will review film both the Lady Panthers and Cowgirls. Carroll swept Colleyville Heritage in the first meeting and then won at Coppell in four games.
“They playoffs are one game and it’s a little different,” Mitchell said. “It’s important not to diminish the importance of winning a district championship. These don’t come around every day.”
Another option in the middle
Junior Nailah Gordon has been on the varsity all season. However, she’s mostly gone through some spot duty. However, her role has expanded in recent weeks because of ankle injuries to junior Rachel Meyne and senior Elizabeth Augustini.
When those two missed time, Gordon earned quality playing time. Mitchell knows that if he were to need her anywhere for the remainder of the season, he can turn to her. Gordon is the younger sister of former Carroll defensive back/wide receiver Tariq Gordon.
“She’s really jumpy, springy and very athletic,” Mitchell said. “Nailah is naturally an outside hitter. But she’s made the transition pretty well. When I’ve put her with Asjia [O’Neal] or Elizabeth, it’s been a pretty good fit. She’s become pretty comfortable.”
As for Meyne, she returned from her injury last week against Haltom and Euless Trinity and did not experience any setbacks, Mitchell said.
Notable
Once the regular season ends, Carroll is eligible to play a warmup match. Mitchell said he is still looking for one … In the most recent state Class 6A rankings, Carroll is No. 2.
This story was originally published October 19, 2015 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Lady Dragons would relish district title."