New-look Panthers take aim at TAPPS
St. Pius X spikers look dangerous with new line-up, coach
The St. Pius X girls volleyball program is in the midst of major change, with a revamped rotation and a new head coach.
But Justyna Brewczyk, who came on board at St. Pius X after spending the past four seasons at St. Thomas’ Episcopal (including three as head coach), remains upbeat about the Panthers’ prospects this fall.
“We graduated six seniors and replaced them with a bunch of girls mostly from the junior varsity,” Brewczyk said. “It’s a brand new team, but there’s a lot of talent. We have an opportunity to be very good.”
In fact, Brewcyzk believes St. Pius has the firepower to reach the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools State Tournament and possibly contend for the school’s first TAPPS state volleyball crown since 1990.
At the very least, the Panthers expect to push rivals St. Agnes and Tomball Concordia Lutheran for the top spot in TAPPS Class 5A-District 3. St. Pius captured back-toback league titles in 2010 and 2011 under Preston Smith, Brewczyk’s coaching predecessor.
“St. Agnes is our longtime rival and Concordia Lutheran has been a threat since they joined the district a couple of years ago,” Brewczyk said. “To win district, those are the two teams we have to beat.”
Brewczyk was encouraged by her squad’s effort against Fort Bend Christian despite the fact the Panthers dropped three straight sets.
“Fort Bend Christian was a (TAPPS Class 4A) state finalist last year. They’re really tough,” Brewczyk said. “I didn’t get to St. Pius X until a few weeks ago. We had no summer workouts. Fort Bend was our first time on the court together, so I thought we played pretty well.”
Brewczyk wasn’t the only one making her St. Pius X debut last week. Junior Kayla Black, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter, saw her first action after transferring from The Woodlands College Park.
“Kayla is a tremendous competitor and all-around player. She can pass, play defense and is one of our strongest hitters,” Brewczyk said. “Kayla should help us. I fully expect her to play in college someday.”
Black joins a nucleus of players with limited varsity experience.
Two notable exceptions are sisters Katie and Karli Stewart. Katie Stewart, a 5-10 junior, is the start-
ing right side hitter, while Karli Stewart, a 5-6 sophomore, handles the setter duties.
“The Stewart sisters train with the Houston Juniors (club program) and they have an older sister (Kelly Stewart) who plays at Auburn University,” Brewczyk said. “They come from a volleyball family and they have excellent chemistry on the court.”
Brewczyk called Katie Stewart, a left-hander, a “crafty player” who keeps opponents off balance with her deceptive skills. Meanwhile, Karli Stewart is “just solid” and does a fine job distributing the ball to St. Pius X’s hitters.
But the Panthers have plenty of depth and options at several positions.
Junior Marjani Myles, a 5-10 middle blocker/right side hitter, is back and figures to be one of St. Pius X’s most explosive performers.
“Marjani is quick and athletic,” Brewczyk said. “She’s going to have a big year.”
Others expected to contribute are 5-6 senior outside hitter Hunter Eriksson, 5-9 junior utility player Maddie Munoz and 5-11 junior middle blocker Lauren Langdon.
“Hunter’s advantage is her experience. She’s not tall, but she seldom makes mistakes. Both she and Maddie have great ball control,” Brewcyzk said. “Lauren is raw. She’s working on her movement and court recognition, but she has the game to be a force at the net.”
Also expected to command playing time are 5-9 middle blocker/right side hitter Sarah McMillian, 5-7 senior libero Mackenzie Dillard and 5-4 sophomore back-up setter/defensive specialist Natalie Buenker, a soccer standout who is giving volleyball a try.
But Brewczyk is particularly excited about the arrival of two freshmen who should make an immediate impact. Sarah Dickson, a 5-11 outside hitter, is expected to grab a spot in the main rotation, while 5-8 defensive specialist Gabby Goeddeke should give the Panthers a boost on the back row.
“Both girls played club ball and I think their teams made it to Junior Nationals,” Brewcyzk said. “Sarah is already one of our best hitters and Gabby has a shot to be our libero if she continues to improve.”
For now, St. Pius X’s focus is getting better in the coming weeks. The Panthers will host Episcopal at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.