One Team, One Mission: Rattlers Continue to Establish Themselves as a Power in Hill Country
BUILDING OFF OF THEIR 2021-2022 SEASON WHICH CULMINATED IN SAN MARCOS REACHING THE POSTSEASON, THE RATTLER BASEBALL TEAM CAME INTO THE YEAR WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THE 2022-2023 SEASON.
For Bryan Webb, who is entering his 17th season as the head coach for San Marcos, his goal is to build a robust Rattler “program”. It’s not about one season, but how each player develops from being a freshman to his senior year.
“Before the season, people always ask me how my team is going to be,” coach Webb said. “I always tell them to ask me down the road, but I will tell you this… our program is strong.”
That statement has proven to be true so far this season as the Rattlers had a tremendous campaign, reaching the playoffs again as one of the district’s top teams.
The Rattlers have been led at the plate by junior Texas State-commit Kutter Gage Webb and senior Coastal Bend-commit Major Pellien. Both will be all-district nominees and are a lethal one-two punch in the lineup.
The pitching for San Marcos has been stingy with a team ERA of 1.76 and a WHIP of 1.09 led by Reagan Chomel and Gavin Gomez, who have both been virtually unhittable. Quarterbacking the pitching staff is catcher Sunray Estrada, who has been a leader in the clubhouse.
Webb’s blueprint continues to produce results and their best days are still ahead of them.
AT FBCA HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH EXCELLENCE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, HAVING WON A STATE TITLE IN 2021.
This Fall was no exception, given that the TAPPS 5A defending champions cruised to an undefeated (14-0) district championship en route to advancing to the TAPPS State Final. FBCA fell 3-1 to Liberty Christian in the Finals.
The Eagles have some serious star power in middle Bayleigh Minor, who dominated as a sophomore and is only getting more explosive.
“We were working really well as a team,” said Minor. “I think we have the capability and necessary pieces on the team to go all the way next year. We will be losing both setters (Shea Stone and Emma Pekar) to graduation, but the majority of our core is returning. We’ll be fired up to run it back.”
Minor lead by example in 2022, having been selected as a TAPPS first-team, all-state honoree. She was voted as VYPE’s Houston Volleyball (Private School) Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
Despite also being a star on the track, Minor has a special appreciation for the team mentality that takes place on the volleyball court.
“In volleyball, we have a really close bond since we all have to pick each other up,” she said. “That’s what is really fun about it. It’s always one team, one set, one dig, so we need that chemistry. I like it because it helps you get that much closer with your teammates.”
As an elite dual-sport athlete, Minor has a detailed training regimen throughout the season that serves both volleyball and track and field.“
I tend to train for both sports on a frequent basis,” Minor said. “Towards the end of volleyball season for the school, I’ll start running with cross country to get my endurance up. So, there’s definitely an overlap in my sports, since I’m constantly preparing for what’s next. That’s what is necessary for me to succeed at a high level.”
As one of the premier private school athletes around, Minor is rapidly ascending to new heights. Just how far will she and FBCA volleyball go?
Tune in this upcoming Fall to see for yourself.
GAMES
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