Marcum's Experience Leads Lady Loboes
    By Chris Gove, Staff Writer ~~ OA Varsity, Odessa American, November 15, 2007

Bailey Marcum’s first two seasons with Monahans High School’s volleyball team set a pretty high standard for her career.

She was a freshman for the Lady Loboes when they won the 2004 state title, recording six kills — second-best on the team — in the championship match victory.

When Marcum was a sophomore, Monahans returned to the state final and settled for a runner-up finish.

So after the Lady Loboes lost in the Region I-3A final her junior season and were denied a fifth straight trip to state, Marcum has reason to feel a little extra excitement to be back in San Marcos today for the UIL Class 3A State Volleyball Championships.

The 5-foot-9 senior middle blocker will help lead Monahans (35-10) at 1 p.m. against White Oak (41-1) in the state semifinals.

“It means so much more this year than it did my freshman year,” Marcum said. “I didn’t really understand what a big deal this is. Now I look back on it and wish I would’ve been a little more into it. I’m a lot more determined this year.”

Part of that determination was born in the aftermath of the 2006 season, when Monahans’ run of four consecutive state appearances was ended with a three-game loss to Canyon in the Region I-3A final.

It’s not so much that trips to state were an assumption for Marcum and the Lady Loboes. But the inner expectations of the program certainly make it disappointing when they are not playing on the last weekend of the season.

“That was the worst feeling ever and that hadn’t happened in a while,” Marcum said. “None of us knew that feeling and we didn’t want to feel it again.”

Marcum’s roots in the sport run deep.

Older sister Cassidee Avary played at Monahans from 1996-99 and represented the Lady Loboes in the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Match in July, 2000.

Also, Denver City head coach Megan David — a Monahans native — is Marcum’s aunt.

“Since I was little, I watched Cassidee play and I always knew it was what I wanted to do,” Marcum said.

The senior certainly has played her part in upholding the tradition of the program, which is making a 14th appearance this weekend at the state tournament.

With a victory against White Oak today, Monahans would face either Wimberley or Columbus in the 3A state final at 1 p.m. Saturday.

While all of the Lady Loboes have earned the right to be on the top stage in 3A Texas volleyball, Marcum is the only player with experience and is prepared to do whatever she can to be a leader.

“We know we’re going to have to work hard and we know we’re going to have to play point for point and we’re ready to do that,” Marcum said. “Everybody’s really starting to understand how important it is and I think we’re all ready for it.”

UIL State Championships

At Texas State University, San Marcos
Thursday’s Matches
CLASS 2A
Semifinals
Poth def. Centerville 31-29, 25-15, 25-15
Bushland def. Big Sandy Harmony 20-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-16
CLASS 4A
Semifinals
Waco Midway def. Randall 25-20, 28-26, 21-25, 25-16
Friendswood def. New Braunfels Canyon 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-17
———
Friday’s Matches
CLASS 1A
Semifinals
Windthorst (36-2) vs. Flatonia (30-9), 9 a.m.
Iola (35-3) vs. Kopperl (38-5), 11 a.m.
CLASS 3A
Semifinals
White Oak (41-1) vs. Monahans (35-10), 1 p.m.
Columbus (41-3) vs. Wimberley (36-7), 3 p.m.
CLASS 5A
Semifinals
Austin Westlake (41-1) vs. Plano West (34-8), 5 p.m.
Amarillo High (44-1) vs. Houston Cypress-Fairbanks (37-2), 7 p.m.
———
Saturday’s Matches
CLASS 1A
Final
Semifinal winners, 9 a.m.
CLASS 2A
Final
Bushland (30-7) vs. Poth (37-8), 11 a.m.
CLASS 3A
Final
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
CLASS 4A
Final
Waco Midway (46-1) vs. Friendswood (38-6), 3 p.m.
CLASS 5A
Final
Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.