VYPE Goose Creek August 2022

Grosjean said. “Now, I think I have a pretty solid base. So, our young guns are coming in and they know what to do. So, we’re pretty excited.” Lee is coming off a year where they went 3-31 overall and 0-16 in district but despite the overall record, Grosjean says she saw glimpses of an inner fight . “Our girls learned how to compete,” she said. “With a couple of games, they surprised themselves with

how well they would do against some of these teams.” The Ganders return two players off that squad, including their lone senior in Kandace Waller. “Personally, I’d like to grow in all positions, hitting, passing and setting,” Waller said about her goals for her final season. “Team wise, I want to be that leader and I want to help people to grow to be leaders. So, whenever I’m gone, we have somebody to fill my spot . “I’ve always been a big helper. I love helping younger people learn stuff. I want to be that voice.” Other key names to remember include Heaven Perkins (MB), Calli Barron (OH) and Andrea Lopez (Pin Hitter). Of that trio, two are juniors and one is entering her sophomore season this fall. “We are going to have a younger team this year,” Grosjean said. “Younger teams are always exciting because they are hungry. They are hungry for the success. We are going to be in a new district , so that ’s exciting. So, just being competitive, working hard and trying to be relentless and gritty are the goals.”

Baytown Lee’s Gabriella Mendieta (Horace Mann), DeEssence John (Baytown Junior), Ingrid Jimenez (Baytown Junior), Kandace Waller, Karla Vasquez (Horace Mann), Andrew Lopez, Ava Wygal (Baytown Junior), Calli Barron, Heaven Perkins, Mykayla Hall (Baytown Junior), Makayla Herrera (Baytown Junior), Mia Herrera (Baytown Junior), Lisbet Jimenez (Horace Mann), Jennifer Rios (Baytown Junior) and Kylie Brown (Baytown Junior)

the outside to provide some offense. Shylah Houston in the middle will also be a “key player ” according to Nava. So, what are the expectations? “The expectation is to play with no fear,” Nava said. “Our motto is ‘Play with heart , passion, no fear ’. If we’re able to do that on and off the court , I think we’re going to be successful. They just have to believe and trust in the process.” It is usually in the third to fourth year of a head coach being at a program that one can truly see the culture sink in. For Mary Grosjean, who enters her fourth year leading the Baytown Lee volleyball program, she is starting to see the work over the past three seasons is setting in. “The seniors I had last year, I had them as freshmen, so they led the path to what we are wanting as far as culture — academically, in the program and work ethic,” BAYTOWN LEE GANDERS

Patriots and has a solid relationship with the seniors as they enter the fall. “I’ve known this group since they were freshmen, I’ve watched them grow,” Nava said. “I know them individually as far as what makes them perform better. How to get the best out of them. Having that experience with them and knowledge has helped me step into the role of head coach here.” The Patriots will have to replace program legend Zoe Martinez at the setter position after she leaves as one of the best to ever wear a GCM uniform. So, who’s next? Christian Stringer will be looked to as one of the leaders. This will be her third full season on varsity after being moved up for the playoffs at the end of her freshman season. Stringer led the team with 184 kills in 100 sets a year ago. Riley Buchanan will be looked to replace Martinez in the setter role, while O’Nyia Barnes slides into the DS/ Libero slot for the Patriots. Watch Aracely Núñez on

cornerstones of the offense in 2022. Joseph had 324 kills with 120 digs and 97 blocks, while Barger had 336 kills, 180 digs and 45 blocks. Bailee Payne was an honorable-mention selection for the Rangers, while Karmyn Hebert and Ashley Aguilar earned academic all district nods. “We had a very tough district last year but this year I feel like we can take whoever we come up on,” Aguilar said. Kyera Ashley added: “Keep the same energy from last year and do better and set higher goals.” The goal for Baytown Sterling will be to get back into the playoff picture for the second-straight year and notch their first playoff win since 2012. GOOSE CREEK MEMORIAL PATRIOTS Goose Creek Memorial is coming off a season that saw them finish 15-19 overall and go 3-12 in district play for an eighth-place finish. Alicia Nava enters her second season leading the

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