PHOTO CREDIT: EAGLE MOUNTAIN SAGINAW ISD ATHLETICS
By Brian Gosset
X – @Gosset41
Roughly 15 years ago, the Boswell volleyball program was a middle of the pack kind of team. Then came the 2013 season when Kevin Anderson was the head coach while Rafael Lopez was an assistant.
The Pioneers won 35 games that season with a perfect 14-0 district championship. Since then, Boswell has become one of the top teams in the metroplex.
Lopez has continued to lead Bos – he was promoted in 2017. He enters his eighth season as its head coach – his final one he told GM Sports Media.
“It has been an amazing ride at Boswell in my 11 years . I have seen this program go from no one knowing who we were to one of the top volleyball schools in the state.”
Under Lopez’s watch, Boswell has won 232 games overall, 97 in district and claimed four district championships.
He has taken the Pioneers to the regional tournament twice as head coach and once as an assistant – in 2016 when it snapped a 25-year drought.
“My time at Boswell has been magical, I want to thank all the players that have made our success happen,” he said. “Their buy in and commitment to the program made us who we are. Also the parents and community for their support and the school and district for always helping us and supporting us.
I will take with me all the relationships I built with my players through the years. They are the reason I did this and what I will miss the most.”
Among Lopez’s favorite moments include SIX trips to Hawaii for the Ann Kang Invitational – their highest finish was third (twice). Also the 2016 regional quarterfinal match against Colleyville Heritage, 2019 against Burleson and 2022 against Byron Nelson.
Lopez will continue to coach, but at the club level. He became an owner of Integrity three years ago and his top 16s team is coming off a national title over the summer. He also wants to spend more time with family. Lopez just celebrated his 30th anniversary. He and his wife, Isabel, have three sons and three grandchildren.
