Volleyball season can be a bit exhausting by anyone's standards. This has certainly been the case over the past six days for the Lady 'Cats.

Coach Crown and company traveled south to the Houston area last week to compete in the Pearland Tourney and came away with some hardware after a string of impressive wins.

Upon returning to Lake Highlands, the Wildcats followed their tournament success with an action packed double-header at LHHS Tuesday night.

In Pearland, after two losses in their opening matches against San Antonio Reagan and Clear Lake on Thursday, the 'Cats finished the day strong with a big win over Jersey Village.

Six straight wins later, which included a big win over Highlands Park in the finals of the Silver Bracket, Coach Crown and her team picked up their first piece of hardware for the season.

The seven game win streak meant the 'Cats returned home with a .500 record on the season. Not bad considering the team started the season just 1-7.

Coach Crown commented on the continued progression of her team.

"Of the 6 returning varsity players, only one is in the same roll she was last year, and that's Holyn Adams," said Crown.

"Emily Hillman (senior outside hitter) was mostly a right side or DS last year, and this year she's our most dependable outside hitter. Ann Jaggers played mostly right also and this year she's outside. Matalee Reed is playing back row, which is new for her in high school."

"Of the six sophomores, only one was on varsity last year. So the team essentially started over from scratch."

According to Crown, of late, the team has begun to gel and players are settling into their roles.

"At the Allen Tournament, setters were able to get Reed and Hillman the sets they needed to lead the offense," said Crown.

"Roll players did their job much better is alternating kill leaders to compliment Matts and Hilly. Ann Jaggars, Carolyn Thomas, and Colleen Livingston all 'played up' at crucial times. Additionally, Katie Sefko and Anna Ogden stepped in and played solid volleyball at times when we really needed solid serves or aggressive digs."

After the long trip to Houston, the Lady 'Cats returned home for a double-header at LHHS last night.

McKinney High School, who finished an in an impressive 10th place in the Pearland Tournament, was first up for the Wildcats, and it turned out to be one of the best matches of the year.

After splitting the first two games (27-25, 25-27), McKinney took the third game of the match (19-25) with the 'Cats taking the fourth game (25-16). Unfortunately, McKinney outscored the Lady 'Cats in the 5th and final game of the match, 13-15.

Rowlett was on tap for the back half of the double-header and beat the 'Cats in 4 games (21-25, 25-22, 9-25, 23-25).

With an overall record now at 12-14, Coach Crown's squad will get a much needed break, returning to action next Tuesday when they face Coppell and Marcus at Marcus High School.

First game is set for 5:00 p.m.

GO 'CATS!