Lady Falcons putting in the time
By L. Scott Hainline
Chronicle correspondent
Six Clear Lake seniors are determined to make the Lady Falcons even more successful this season, and the current summer conditioning program is a big part of the plan.
My seniors are very important to the team and they're the backbone of the program," Clear Lake coach Chanda Eager said. This is the first time we've had all our seniors dedicate themselves to the summer program, and that dedication to participate and showing up every day set a great example for the younger players."
Middle blocker Kate Foley, outside hitter Lauren Horelka, defensive specialist Elayni Stokes, outside hitter Olivia Casavecohia, setter Kelli Bolen and setter-outside hitter Sarah Scogin are displaying senior leadership in a big way.
Foley will be a third-year starter, and for Horelka and Stokes, it's their third varsity campaign and second season to start.
All six of us being there does set a good example," Horelka said. We're working hard for district and defending the championship, but we also want to be ready for the playoffs, and to get past where we've been, you have to work hard in the spring and summer.
That's where the season really starts."
The Lady Falcons also have last year's District 24-5A Newcomer of the Year in 6-2 junior middle blocker Kiara Wright, and juniors Haley Satterwhite, an outside hitter, and defensive specialist Brinley Williams.
There's also a strong sophomore contingent featuring middle blocker Sara Strasner, setter Sam Volk and defensive specialist Niki Williams.
The returning lettermen are back from a 31-11 squad that captured the District 24-5A title with a 13-1 mark, and beat Elkins and Deer Park in the playoffs. The Lady Falcons were knocked out in a heartbreaking 14-25, 21-25, 31-29, 25-15, 18-16 region quarterfinals loss to Dulles.
Our junior varsity was first in district and also had a 30-win season in 2009, and all our teams (varsity, JV, freshmen) won or tied for the district title," Eager said. We had a good year, and the upcoming players continued to prepare themselves during two spring leagues at Dobie and Pearland.
They were able to play in a very competitive setting, so we feel good about the spring."
District 24-5A actually has two defending district champions with Clear Lake and Pearland, which won the 22-5A crown a year ago prior to being realigned into 24-5A.
Having Pearland back in is going to make the district tougher than in the past," Eager said. It will be a real battle, and tough to repeat, so we're really concentrating on being the best we can be.
Clear Creek is always solid, Clear Brook was young so they have a number of players returning, Clear Springs is really developing, Brazoswood is up-and-coming, and Alvin and Dickinson are always capable of beating you."
