St. Paul's Pohler too tough to handle
Senior leads Lady Cards to Shiner tourney title
August 30, 2006
Bill Hatch, Victoria Advocate Sports Writer
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Brittany Pohler is showing that it's her time to shine.
The 17-year-old middle blocker was a stellar performer by earning the most valuable player award as she led the Shiner St. Paul Lady Cardinals to the championship of the Shiner Tournament.
And Pohler's fine play also drew her another honor - the Victoria Advocate's Athlete of the Week.
In the Shiner Tournament, Pohler had 15 kills, 15 digs, two blocks and two aces in the title match win over Industrial. She had 15 kills, two aces and seven digs in a win over La Grange and 15 kills, 11 digs and a block in a win over Wharton along with 10 kills and four aces in a win over Boling and nine kills, three aces, three digs and a block in a win over Ganado. And, in a pair non-district games earlier in the week, she had 23 kills and 12 aces in wins over Karnes City and San Antonio Cole.
"This is where we were hoping she would be," St. Paul coach Dana Beal said, "We're pleased with the job she's doing and she's getting the job done."
Beal said Pohler really improved her play at the end of the season last year and then worked hard all summer in the weight room.
"This is where she wanted to be," Beal added. "She put in the time to do it. All of the girls put in time lifting and she was part of that. It was part of their goal to be successful early on."
Pohler shares much of the credit for her success with the team.
"I thought I played well but we've come together as a team," she said. "Last year, we had a lot of problems with communication. This year we he have good chemistry as a team. And we have a good setter (Calli Schacherl) so we have a lot of opportunities to run plays and kill the ball."
Being a senior also helps Pohler.
"I am able to concentrate better and I have more experience so I know what to do," she said. "And winning the MVP award felt good and gave me a lot of confidence. I felt like everyone was looking up to me and that I was expected to be a leader.
"Now I feel like helping the younger kids get better and, hopefully, they'll follow," Pohler added.
Pohler knows exactly where she wants to lead to the Lady Cardinals - back to the TAPPS state volleyball tournament. St. Paul made it to state tournament her freshman and sophomore seasons but missed out last year.
"We've been there before and didn't get it," she said. "Hopefully, we'll be state champions this year."
Bill Hatch is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-580-6509, or by e-mail at whatch@vicad.com.
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