SONORA, TX-- The Sonora Lady Broncos had another tremendous season, going 25-15 overall, winning a second consecutive district championship and making it to the regional quarterfinal.
Being as dominant as Sonora was is impressive. It’s additionally impressive when you factor in the smooth transition in head coach Judi Harris’ first year.
That transition was expedited thanks to the senior leadership shown by senior hitter, and who we chose to be the 2018 All-Concho Valley Most Valuable Player, Mary Kyle Johnson.
This season, Johnson led the team in blocks (73), kills (413) and points (291).
Because of that, she was named All-District 4-3A MVP for the second year in a row. It marked the fourth season where she earned an award on the hardwood.
Johnson said this season was the most rewarding one of her career.
“I thought this season was very successful, but I felt it was the most rewarding because our team earned everything we got,” Johnson said.
In addition to volleyball, Johnson is a star for the Lady Bronco basketball and track teams.
Johnson’s name will likely stay at the top of the Sonora record books for years to come. She currently holds five records for career kills (1,512), kills in a season (462), career wins (95), playoff wins (10) and career blocks.
“It means a lot to me,” Johnson said of leaving her legacy in the rich tradition of Sonora athletics. “Just knowing that Sonora is such a great school, knowing that I did my part to carry on the tradition, it just feels really good. I hope they can continue to carry that tradition on.”
While Johnson was already a dominant force on the court, having a season under Harris helped the 6-foot tall senior find another level in her game.
“She really knows what she’s talking about when it comes to volleyball,” Johnson said of her coach. “She showed me different skills. Her coaching technique was different than what I’ve been used to and I think both me and my teammates, we adapted to it and it really helped this year.”
At the beginning of the season, Harris noted how Johnson stepped up and rallied the team around her arrival.
“Mary Kyle (Johnson) has been phenomenal,” Harris said at the beginning of the year. “She’s a leader and the kids really respect her. So, she’s kind of been the one to help join my thought process and my philosophy with the old players. She’s bought in. As soon as she bought in, it was done.”
Three months and three gold balls later, Harris has not waivered from that feeling.
“She absolutely exceeded my expectations, on and off the court,” she praised. “She’s a phenomenal player. I wish I had her more than just a year. I would love to see what I could do with her in the offseason.”
By the three-sport athlete’s account, she’s loved sports “forever.” However, that love of competition was amped up when she got to middle school and began competing against other schools.
“Once I was able to start competing against other teams, it got really fun. Until I lost. Then it wasn’t too fun,” Johnson said, smiling. “Especially my freshman year. I really fell in love with volleyball. Since then, it’s been my favorite sport.”
Part of what stands out about the Texas A&M-bound senior in her head coach’s eyes is her willingness to help others. Johnson plans to go into the medical field as a physical therapist after college.
“She’s volunteered to work with my younger group and coach them while she’s here in the offseason,” Harris said.
Another focal point of Johnson is how she implements the same drive from sports into day-to-day life.
“She is focused and driven as a human,” Harris continued. “She wants to be successful in life. So, that’s kind of her focus right now. She wants to help people and that’s who she is. I mean, that tells you everything you need know. Her focus and determination to get into PT school is where she needs to go.”
Harris fought back tears when describing how meaningful Johnson’s leadership was not only for the team as a whole, but her own daughters Brae and Raeven. That’s significant because Brae, a junior, is expected to fill Johnson’s role next year.
“As a parent and a coach, I could not have a better role model for my own child,” Harris said. “Just to have her [Brae] watch as a junior so that she can fill that role next year as a senior. God knew what he was doing when he brought me to Sonora, Texas. Because that’s exactly what my junior needed to see so that she can be the player that I want her to be, that she wants to be… Mary Kyle was huge for my family. She was huge for my program. She’s a phenomenal individual.”
Despite likely being able to play collegiately, Johnson says she plans to maintain focus on her academics in college, but didn’t rule out trying out for the club volleyball team at Texas A&M and playing intramurals during her time in College Station.
The full All-Concho Valley volleyball team will be announced on Wednesday.
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