04/11/2024
It’s Going to be a Long Night for Hitters
Photos Provided by Aubree Fernandez & Julianna Hernandez
Among the more interesting DFW volleyball matchups tonight will be Wakeland taking on Frisco Memorial; the match is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. first serve at Frisco Heritage High School.
Granted, Wakeland (29-6 overall) has been state-ranked all season long while Memorial (27-15) has some momentum coming into the match.
Considering who the two starting liberos are tonight – Aubree Fernandez of Wakeland and Julianna “Jules” Hernandez for Memorial – it promises to be a long night for hitters.
Hernandez says her team has stepped up after losing a lot of players from last year’s squad.
“I’m so happy to be where we are,” stated Jules, who has totaled 635 digs (five per set), 122 assists and 49 aces this season, according to team stats on Maxpreps. “We lost a lot of seniors from last year. Then, our starting setter tore her ACL; but I’m so proud of everyone’s hard work and eventually we (worked) through our schedule to be in the playoffs.”
Hernandez, who plays club ball for Texas Advantage Volleyball (TAV) and is committed to Baylor, works as hard – if not harder – as her teammates as she is always working to be a better player.
“I can’t work hard enough to get better,” stated Hernandez. “I’m happy to be leading the district in digs; I feel my defense is getting even better. Also, my serve-receive percentages are high. Being a team leader is very important to me. I take the court as leader, and I hope that’s pushed us to a great season this year.”
Hernandez has played with both Fernandez and her best friend, 6-foot-3 junior Hannah Lee, and LSU commit.
“I love Aubree,” Jules declared. “We played together in 11s (with the Frisco Flyers) and 15s (TAV). I loved playing with her; we’ve always worked well in the back row. I think yes, with her and I on the floor, there will be some long (hitting) rallies (tonight).
“I’ve known Hannah since we were 10 or 11 and we played club together except for the last two years, although we’ll be reunited next season (Lee is joining the TAV program from MadFrog). We won two national championships together (Firsco Flyers, 11s and 13s) and finished second nationally in 14s.”
Fernandez, who’s still uncommitted but getting plenty of interest, has tallied 599 digs (five per set) along with 149 assists and 30 aces. She’s confident about her Wakeland teammates, who look to her as a team leader.
“When we huddle up before a match, I try to give good speeches to get them fired up for each match. I take my leadership seriously; I help (my teammates) out mentally and try and help our hitters with where to hit as they can’t see where and how the opposing defense is playing them.”
The new Division I-Division II format for playoffs, which has been used by football for years, helps Wakeland see “their playoff path,” according to Fernandez.
“Basically the new playoff format cancelled a round (in the regional round), so we can see the path to state,” said Fernandez, who plays for Skyline Juniors in club ball. “We’ve been practicing harder because we can see that path. It’s never easy but we’re hoping to get even further than we have before.
“If we’re successful, we’re looking at the likes of Memorial tonight, then Walnut Grove and eventually Lovejoy (the defending 5A champion). However, we’re taking things one match at a time and our entire focus is on Memorial.”
As you can imagine, both standout liberos are complimentary of the other.
“I think she’s a great libero,” Fernandez said about Hernandez. “Her hustle is amazing, her serve-receive is very consistent, and she’s a very loud leader on the court (for Memorial). Bottom line – she’s a very good libero and person.”
“I love her!” Hernandez exclaimed about Fernandez. “She’s a stud; I’m really excited to see where she commits. Her work ethic is awesome; (when we played together) in 15s we pushed each other and leaned on each other. She deserves something great; she’s put in a lot of hard work.”
