By Briana Amaro 

A thrilling five set match against the Texas School for the Deaf Rangers was how the Lehman Lady Lobos, led by first year head coach Candice Warr, opened the 2015 season.  

But a hard fought effort from Lehman wasn’t enough as the Lady Lobos fell to the Rangers 25-18, 14-25, 25-14, 10-25, 4-15 Tuesday at the Lobo Den. 

The ball was in near constant motion as both teams led strong attacks, sending points to the scoreboard one after another. The Lady Lobos came out on top 25-18 after the first set.

The Rangers created a pendulum effect by rallying to win the second set. The Lobos’ defense proved no match for the Rangers offense, with the Rangers taking set two by nine points.  

Not yet ready to throw in the towel, Lehman returned the favor and claimed set three by nine points.

It was the Rangers’ next two set victories that decided the final outcome of the match.

But it’s the positivity on and off the court that had players like freshman Mariah Pastrano eager for more.

“I want to be at that level for varsity and keep up to win a spot on the court,” Pastrano said.

Pastrano is one of two freshmen on a varsity roster that comprises of mostly underclassmen. Despite the young team, Warr is not worried.

“I feel like we can work with what we have, and as long as we work hard, it will pay off,” Warr said. “That is our motto this year.”

Expectations also run high for Warr. Freshman Britney Olivo expects the team to be pushed to their best and guided when mistakes are made.

Warr, former coach at Paredes Middle School in Austin, compared coaching high school to when she coached club volleyball, stating the similarities in skill level.

“It’s higher caliber volleyball,” Warr said. “Now it’s just refining it and getting into the mental game.”

Lehman hosts Taylor Monday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Lobo Den.