Vikings in the thick of tight title race
Dulles within reach of goal to earn District 23-6A crown
This is the week Dulles has been preparing for since the beginning of the season.
For the second year in a row the Lady Vikings enter the final week of the regular season in a three-way race for the District 23-6A title. This year Dulles hopes not to lose both games.
“This is a real big deal,” coach Kelly Fay said. “We set a goal this year to win district.”
Dulles enters this week undefeated in district play and has a two-game lead on Clements and Fort Bend Travis. The Lady Vikings play both teams this week needing to win just won game to win the championship.
That’s a powerful spot to be in, but Fay said the team would be in a good spot even if it had to in both games because of its improved mental game.
Fay is in his second season as the head coach, making him the first coach out of the last three who has stuck around for more than one season. The lack of stability has been an issue.
“I really put a lot of emphasis on the mental game,” he said. “Sure enough, that was our demise last year. We spent a lot of time doing mental work this year.”
The Lady Vikings’ first two games against this week’s opponents are great examples of their improvement. They beat Clements, 4-0, on the road and proved to themselves they were among the district’s best again this season.
Then against Travis they committed nine errors and still won, 10-7.
“To not hang our heads despite those nine errors and still win was a big deal,” Fay said. “We think we’re a stronger than every team out there. Our motto this year has been ‘grind season.’ Every practice, every pitch, every at-bat is going to be a grind. We have to earn everything.”
Senior pitcher Lexi Holm has been a big part of that. Fay said he has known her for years and has been impressed with her improved mental approach.
“Last year if a team was putting together she’d get rattled,” Fay said. “This year she is able to shut it down and get the outs that we need.”
The lineup has plenty of firepower, too.
University of Houston pledge Caela Kincaide has hit 14 home runs. Chessi Olivas, a Colorado State pledge, is scoring three runs per game as the leadoff batter. Deanna Hernandez, a Texas Lutheran pledge, has been a great contact hitter in the No. 3 hole.
Sisters Jewel and Morgan Lara have been great additions after moving to Sugar Land before this school year.
They all combine to give Dulles the best chance it has had in a decade to win a district title. If the Lady Vikings do that they can avoid powerful teams like Brazoswood, Clear Falls and Clear Springs in the first round of the playoffs.
“(Dulles) has always been shutout in the first round so we’d like to get a good seed and give ourselves a better chance to advance,” Fay said.