Lancers rise above
Spikers form tight bond
LAWRENCE — When the gas explosions uprooted families in the Merrimack Valley earlier this month, it tested the community’s emotional endurance, unity and courage to keep moving forward. Through its camaraderie and focus, that’s a test the Lawrence girls volleyball team has passed with flying colors.
The Lancers have been dominant, dropping just one set all season on the way to an 8-0 mark — with six of those wins since the explosions on Sept. 13. Defense has been a primary factor the last few years, but coach Marino Valdez says his team now has the size and athleticism to put the team on another tier.
He’s happy with the results, especially because it shows the impact of his Merrimack Volley Academy in the region, but Valdez’ expectations go much deeper than just winning matches. Good grades are necessary to play; so is good behavior. And in the face of tragedy, he expects his girls to be leaders in the community.
“We’re not only working on volleyball on this team,” he said through translator, daughter and assistant coach Marleti Valdez. “We have taught our girls that even though we have difficulties every day, we have to get that courage and continue to keep moving.”
Distractions from that goal have come aplenty. Many of the players were among the families uprooted. While they focused on getting back on their feet, just about the entire team also grieved the lone casualty of the explosions — friend and former classmate Leonel Rondon.
They dealt with the problems. Valdez hosted five families without shelter until they could safely move back into their homes. The funeral for Rondon was at the same time as a match against Andover. Instead of postponing it, the Lancers brushed back their tears and won 3-0.
“It was a really difficult moment for every single one of us,” Valdez said.
According to the players, the relationship within the team helped them rally together.
“The unity we have, we’re more than a team. We’re a family,” said Alondra Davila. “What has really kept me going was my coaches. The day of the funeral, I was really down . . . but my coaches were there and my teammates were there.”
“Being a family obviously helps us because we can lean on each others’ backs,” added Abigail Heredia. “The Andover game, that was very difficult for most of us. ... Since we were all together, it was a little bit better.”
Valdez feels the community has noticed. In June, his academy brought 19 girls to the Dominican Republic to experience something new and play against greater competition. The girls were able to do so because of $20,000 they raised knocking on doors.
The purpose of the trip, as well as the academy in general, was to give girls that can’t pay for club teams a chance to play outside of school. They grind at it just about every day. Valdez says it keeps them off the streets, and Heredia believes it’s part of the team’s better play.
Two games from qualifying for the state tournament, Valdez doesn’t even think the team has tapped its full potential. That may be debatable, but what isn’t is the positive example these Lancers are for the community.
“We are helping our community to understand that our teenagers have to be somebody,” Valdez said, “somebody positive for our community.”