Aldine ISD Fall 2024

feature

MACARTHUR VOLLEYBALL Volleyball is Quiet Amid Storm for Goffney The Monster

\\ By Matt Malatesta

AT 6-FOOT-1, LASHAE GOFFNEY CAN BE AN IMPOSING FIGURE ON THE BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COURTS. With elite athleticism and great size, Goffney is a raw talent. But her story is bigger off the court than on. “High school has been a tough personal journey,” the senior said. “I’ve seen a lot of death in my immediate family and I’ve been through foster care. I’ve been on my own a lot of the time. Everyone expects you to be a happy, studious child all the time. In my situation, it’s not like that. “As a teenager, your problems can conquer you and disrupts what you are trying to achieve. I’ve been in my head a lot. I feel like I’m at my tipping point and “Volleyball is what I look forward to,” she said. “It inspires me, and I know my teammates depend on me. It gives me purpose. I’m able to push all my problems aside during volleyball and I can channel my anger into the sport. It helps me push through, not break down or quit.” Goffney has exponentially improved over the past few seasons under the direction of coach Lynda Eastland. “My biggest improvement has been my ability to be coachable,” she said. “There comes a point when all of the things coach is telling you, sinks in. You allow it to sink in and you flip a switch.” Volleyball also drives her in the classroom. “It works both ways... to be a great volleyball player, you have to be a great student,” she said. “It inspires me in the classroom because it’s something I look forward to.” Her hard work has paid off in the classroom and she is chasing her dream of getting into medicine. “I’m pursuing biomedical science and want to get my Masters,” she said. “Ultimately, I want to be a doctor. Being in several hospital rooms with my biological and foster families, you can feel helpless. We didn’t know the questions to ask or who to even go to for the best care. That has really inspired me to help others.” With all of the chaos surrounding her life, she leans on her best friend. “I talk to God all the time,” she said. “He is the only person I can talk to, who understands me. He created me and knows who I am. Not, who people think you should be. “Before a game, I talk with God, just breathe and let it all go. Then I let the monster take over and it all comes out.” over the edge a lot of the time.” Volleyball is her happy place.

Lashae Goffney

ALDINE ISD \\ 31

vype.com \\ FALL 2024 \\