Faculty |
Coach Patty Dominguez |
2003
- 2004 ~~Patty Dominguez named Volleyball Coach of the Year
Final Floor Time
by Dave Poynor, Sports Editor, Monahans News -- July
17, 2003
Exactly 19 years later, Patty Hall
walked on the floor again for the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star
Game. She played in the game as senior for Pecos High School. This
year, she was voted in by her peers across the state as the coach for the
team. Always a top honor for a coach, this one was even more special,
because Hall's daughter Kristien was chosen by the coaches as one of 12 player
on the South team.
The festivities culminating in the All-Star game in Austin capped off a magical season for the Halls. The Lady Loboes enjoyed one of the best years in school history, finishing with a huge come-from-behind win to earn a state tournament berth. It was only fitting the Hall family get to celebrate Kristien's senior season in front of the coaches and best players in Texas.
"It's a very big honor," said Patty. "I knew about it after the state tournament, but I did not tell Kristien until she received her letter. She was excited at first, and then when she realized I was coaching I think she was like "Here we go again."
Hall said the level of talent on the team was unparalleled in her career. Among her players were frequent opponents and summer league acquaintances Ella Fernandes of Wink and Sandy Fuentez of Alpine.
"It was kind of sad," Kristien added, "because it was my last game with my mom, but it was a great experience to be able to play with that kind of D-1 (NCAA Division I) talent. We had girls on our team going to North Carolina Greensboro, TCU, and Texas Tech."
The Hall ladies were joined by MHS coaches Becky Melius and Becky Hix, who not only helped coach the team, but also lived in the St. Edwards dorms as chaperones.
"I owe them a tremendous thanks," said Hall. "They actually spent more time with the girls than I did."
The team had practice time Monday and Tuesday, gave a demonstration for the coaches Wednesday morning, then played against the North team in front of a big crowd Wednesday night. Although the South lost in a close match, the Monahans coaches were pleased with the whole event.
"I felt like the main purpose of the game is to showcase the talent of each girl," said Hall. "We were careful to do that. Sure, we wanted to win once it started, but I wanted to show off our girls.
"It was a great experience, just practicing with those girls. We had a talented team in Monahans, and I would never take anything away from them, but every single player (in Austin) had such a high skill level. They were phenomenal."
Kristien had more than 20 assists in the contest, which came as no surprise to the family and friends who watched her play all season. Among the spectators watching her was North Central Texas College coach Angie Bullard, who will be Hall's coach started this fall.
While Patty had been the emotional one at season's end in the state tournament, it was the daughter's turn after the all-star game."
"I just hugged my mom and cried," Kristien said. "When you are around these players so much, you feel like you have known them all your life. Then it was over, I just hugged and cried and said good-bye."
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