By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Oct. 7, 2002
In her second season as the head coach of the Meridian High girls volleyball team, Susan Frazier wanted to add more games, and if possible, add tougher opponents to the schedule.
The Lady Wildcats responded to the challenge with a 19-2 record heading into the final two regular-season matches. Meridian has clinched the divisional title having won all seven of matches.
They will host the final divisional match today when Jackson Murrah visits the MHS Physical Education Building for a 5 p.m. showdown.
Last year, Meridian went 16-5 in Frazier's first year. The Lady Wildcats won the division and then beat St. Andrews in the opening round of the state playoffs. The Lady Wildcats were later beaten in a second-round series at Horn Lake.
Meridian, which has dominated divisional foes Pearl, Murrah, Northwest Rankin and Bailey, is set to host a first-round playoff match Saturday. Frazier, says however, the playoffs will present a tough challenge.
A key for the Lady Wildcats has been an athletically enhanced unit.
Assistant coach Heide Wyndom has helped teach the Lady Wildcats many of their new techniques.
The Meridian line up has Megan Mendiola at setter. Her younger sister Marissa Mendiola is on an outside wing along with Felecia McClelland and Jennifer Toole. The middle is anchored by Kirsten Gambrell and Jet'Aime Ross.
Ross, Gambrell and Megan Mendiola were named to the All-Tournament team in the four-team Meridian Invitational which featured Pearl, Northwest Rankin and Livingston, Ala.
Ross leads the team in aces followed by Gambrell. Megan Mendiola provides the team with a steady server.
With a good team in place, Frazier then went to work on the schedule bringing in teams like Livingston, Ala., and taking a tournament in Tupelo.