Lady Wildcats take two volleyball victories

By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Oct. 8, 2003
The Meridian High Lady Wildcat volleyball team concluded the 2003 regular season schedule by taking a pair of wins on Tuesday night over Pearl and Oak Grove. The Lady Wildcats were originally scheduled to play only Pearl, but a confusion in scheduling made the night at Northwest Junior High's gym a doubleheader.
"We are really playing well at the right time," Meridian head coach Eulunda Maxwell said." We are really growing as a team and I think that momentum will help us to begin the playoffs this weekend."
The Lady Wildcats squared off against Pearl in the opening match and took a clean sweep in two games (15-8, 15-7). Meridian was led in the scoring department by Marissa Mendiola with six kills and five service aces. K'Tecia Evans also contributed with two solo blocks in the win and Mindy Mendiola added five assists.
The Mendiola sisters have been a really big lift for the Lady Wildcats all season.
"They show such great leadership on our team," Maxwell said. "They have played together for so long and it really is a big plus to have such great skilled players."
Meridian picked up a second win on the night by taking a two-game win (15-3, 15-6) over the Lady Warriors of Oak Grove.
Samantha Brooks led the Lady Wildcat charge in the second contest with five kills, while Marissa Mendiola added five service aces. Evans also chipped in with a pair of solo blocks and one block assist. Evans is also no stranger to Meridian High fans, as she also letters in basketball.
"She shows such great presence in the middle and she also came up with some big blocks tonight as well," Maxwell added. "We hope that she continues to play this well."
Meridian finished the season in second place in the division behind Northwest Rankin and will be making an appearance in the state playoffs. The Lady Wildcats will open playoffs Saturday by traveling to Long Beach for a first-round match.