The smaller of the two courts at Antonian College Prep’s Recko Gym is a throwback.

A portable drum fan is the main source of air conditioning — something players take advantage of whenever there are breaks during practice, which on this day consists of a steady diet of skill and conditioning drills.

And yet, this is what Sofia Scheuerman said she missed for two seasons. This is what Gabby Reeves discovered she longed for, even as she found success at another school. This is what Kalina Calvillo can’t believe will soon be coming to an end.

The perspectives that have led to this moment differ, but the vision is the same — guiding the Apaches to another TAPPS 6A state championship.

Antonian (41-8) faces Dallas Ursuline (25-8) at 4 p.m. Friday in the state semifinals at Waco University High School. Defending state champion Plano Prestonwood plays Tomball Concordia Lutheran at 7 p.m. in the other semifinal.

The state final is at noon on Saturday, and the Apaches have had their sights on making it there since losing in the 2022 state semifinals to Dallas Bishop Lynch.

“They were, on the bus ride back last year, already talking about, ‘When are we getting in the gym? When are we doing this?’ Antonian coach Samantha McLure said. “It was kind of like when they take the bite of something and you get that taste for it, they definitely had that taste for it.”

A state title is the only thing missing from the resume of this year’s seniors, including four — Calvillo, Bella Rodriguez, Mia Silva and Scheuerman — who were on varsity as freshmen in 2020. The group has claimed district and tournament crowns and annually has been a state-title contender.

Scheuerman transferred to Clark and played for the Cougars during the 2021 and 2022 seasons before returning to Antonian last January, hoping for a full-circle moment, with a crown on top.

“It is kind of finishing what we started,” said Scheuerman, a middle blocker. “It’s just like, ‘We came here to do business and we’re finally going to get it done.'”

Three years ago, the quartet was long on talent and ability. The key was finding their role amid the restraints of a COVID-19 pandemic, on a squad that was three years removed from winning a state title and trying to return to that apex.

“You get to watch them grow up, seeing how they evolved, and going from the freshmen who were scared out of their minds playing against Clemens and getting swept,” McLure said. “Now, it’s just the maturity of walking onto the court and, ‘OK, we’re here to take care of business.’ The mentality is different.”

The makeup of the core has also changed. While Silva (SMU), Calvillo (Troy) and Rodriguez (Bucknell), who each signed scholarships with Division I schools, have been here from the start and Scheuerman returned after a two-year absence, the person playing in perhaps the most important position is new.

Reeves, who signed with Division I Northeastern (Mass.), transferred over the summer from Reagan. She was on the Rattlers’ 2020 squad that lost in five sets to eventual UIL Class 6A state champion Katy Seven Lakes.

“The program was already established, but I think I came in with a lot to offer, and I really wanted to provide that,” Reeves said. “I thought I did a pretty good job at just trying to build that chemistry.”

The camaraderie has propelled the Apaches to within two wins of capturing their sixth state crown.

“It feels different,” Calvillo said. “Not that I wasn’t confident last year, I just feel more confident this year. I feel like we’re so well prepared.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1