The Randall Lady Raider soccer team is getting set for rare air when they become the first Texas Panhandle team to play for UIL state soccer championship.
Randall (22-5-1) will take on Wimberly (24-1-2) at 11 a.m. Thursday on Birkelbach Field in Georgetown for the UIL Class 4A Division II state championship. Something veteran Lady Raider coach Whitney Bernard has been chasing since taking over the program 18 years ago.
“I still don’t have any words on what an incredible season it’s been,” said Bernard, who has 278 wins at Randall. It’s been a great ride. Getting to this point is surely dedicated to the past players that help build this program and the players now. I keep telling the team to breathe, take it all in and be excited and just have fun soaking up the experience. We never want to let the pressure get to us. Playing for a state championship doesn’t happen very often so we want to all enjoy this together.”
What makes this a lot more special and more of a fairy tale story for Bernard is she gets to share this unique experience with her two daughters Ryan and Kyndal McClain. Ryan is a senior leader for the Lady Raiders with Kyndal being a prolific scoring sophomore.
“Having both of my daughters on the team and getting to go the state championship game is a dream,” Bernard said. “This is something all three of us have always talked about.”
Bernard has taken both her daughters to the state tournament over the years as spectators. Now, instead of sitting in the crowd wondering what if, Bernard, Ryan and Kyndal will get to soak in the moment together on the pitch playing for the sweetest prize in all of sports.
“This season has been amazing,” said Kyndal, who has scored 36 goals this season. “There has been a lot to take in and I’m just so happy to be in the position we are in right now. My mom has raised me playing soccer and I’m so happy to be in the position I’m in. It’s so much fun getting to play with my mom, my sister and my teammates.”
Ryan agreed with Kyndal’s comments.
“This has been amazing in the best way possible,” said Ryan, who has 20 assists and 13 goals on the year. “I never thought growing up that my mom, my sister and I would be playing for a state championship together. We’ve sat in the stands at the state games and talked about this moment. That’s the emotional part, but it’s so much fun and awesome to see where we are.”
Bernard is thankful for this opportunity and even more thankful she gets to see her own daughters and the team she has put everything into for nearly two decades play on the final day of the regular season.
“I knew coaching my daughters in high school would be full of tough, proud, joyful moments,” Bernard said. “Getting to share in this is greater than anything I could have ever imagined. They have both stepped up into their roles and are learning to be true servants and leaders on and off the field. Knowing this is our last year all together before Ryan goes off to college has been one where I’m seeing that pride turn into admiration and awe for not only her but Kyndal also as she learns from her sister. Kyndal will now prepare to take on more leadership responsibilities. Both girls have exceeded my expectations and continue to amaze me on a daily basis.”