A dedicated team of young women with a passion for the game of volleyball and the heart necessary to read the top.

As the volleyball sailed over the net on November 4, 1983, the St. Augustine High School Lady Knights volleyball team knew that the elusive state title they had chased for years was now within grasp.

Stunning their three-time state rivals, Houston’s St. Pius X squad, the Lady Knights volleyed their way into Laredo sports history, becoming the first women to join the previously all-male roll. After four trips to the state tournament under coach Edna Peña, having netted the team two second place trophies and third place honors, the Lady Knights played the game of a lifetime in their quest for championship gold.  With a 21-12 overall record and undefeated in district, the Laredo powerhouse defeated Beaumont Kelly to make it to the 3A TCIL State finals against Houston’s equally powerful St. Pius High School. Lizette Guajardo and Magda Menchaca led the Lady Knights in a thrilling come from behind effort to route St. Pius 10-15, 15-12 and 15-11.

The first set gave the Lady Knights cause for concern, prompting Peña to bring the girls in for a quick time-out so they could regroup.  “We have been in this position before and we know how to pull ourselves together as a team and beat them,” the coach told her squad. “It’s now or never.”  Kathy Hagy, the team captain, rallied her fellow spikers. “Okay, ladies, we came here for one purpose, to taek State”, she said in the huddle.  Take they did. Guajardo came out ready to do battle with her teammates, serving 10 in a row to take the pivotal second set.

Then, the Lady Knights took off.  Although St. Pius had the height advantage, the Laredo girls started using a soft “dink” to get the ball over the net.  With some strategic “dinks” to the sides of the blockers and into their outstretched arms, the tall, lanky St. Pius squad fell apart, unable to handle the volleys coming towards them.  With momentum high and some well-earned blocks, the Lady Knights forged ahead.  Having frustrated their rivals, the Lady Knights pulled ahead and with one final swish of the ball, took home the State crown.

Marissa Keene and Kathy Hagy were named to the All-State Tournament Team, with all four seniors, Guajardo, Hagy, Keene and Menchaca earning All State and All District honors.  Sandra Medina, a junior, also made it to the All-State Team.

The glue that held the Lady Knights together came from the guidance provided by Peña and her assistant head coach, Rosalinda Cardenas, as well as the team managers Leonel de Hoyos and Candy Ramirez.  Through Pena’s leadership, the team held fast, overcoming incredible odds, proving to Laredo and to Texas that women could bring home the State Trophy, too!

Excerpt from 2013 Inductees Program