Posted: Thu, 2 Dec 2010 07:59 AM - 9,055 Readers
By: Rick Cantu
With an emphatic kill by sophomore middle blocker Claire McCown to close the match, Lake Travis established itself as a state volleyball power.
The Class 4A state championship was never in doubt as the Cavaliers throttled Brenham 25-11, 25-18, 25-13 Saturday afternoon at Strahan Coliseum.
And with talented junior and sophomore classes returning next season, Lake Travis should be the team to beat in 2011, too.
"If we work hard and play to the best of our abilities, yes, we would expect to be back," Cavaliers coach Julie Green said.
Lake Travis (49-3) won its first state volleyball championship with surprising ease, blowing by Brenham behind the power of junior outside hitters Amy Neal and Sierra Patrick and outstanding defense from junior setter Cassie Wang, junior libero McKenzie Mayo and junior setter/outside hitter Katy Beals.
Neal, a University of Texas pledge, earned MVP honors for her all-around performance: 15 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks.
Beals (5 kills, 25 assists) said Lake Travis knew the Cavaliers would be a state contender very early in the season.
"I think it came to us right off the bat (in August)," Beals said. "We worked so hard as a team to get here. And we had such great support from the fans."
Lake Travis had only one scare during the match. After winning the first game, the Cavaliers trailed the Cubettes 5-0 early in the second game. Lake Travis still trailed 14-12 later in the game, but took the lead with five straight points with Piper Toler serving.
Neal capped the game with a driving kill to give the Cavaliers their 25-18 lead.
Disaster was averted.
"I thought we came out ready to play, but I think Lake Travis wanted it more," Brenham senior Erin O'Malley said.
Lake Travis bolted to an 8-2 lead in the third game before Brenham coach Debbie Yeager called a time out. But with every Cavalier on the court making big contributions, the outcome was already determined.
"Success breeds success," said Green, whose husband, Matt, is offensive coordinator for the school's football team. "And we pull for each other. We want the basketball teams to do well. We want the football team to do well."
Green noted that her husband already has two 4A state championships to boast. "I'm one behind, but I'd like it to be two again," she said.
Lake Travis is still alive in the state football playoffs and is seeking its fourth consecutive title. Julie Green said she had to listen to the football team's victory over Kerrville Tivy on the radio Friday night while attending a volleyball function.
Lake Travis will say farewell to only four seniors — Taylor Smith (headed to Penn to play volleyball), Jade van Streepen, Danielle Necker and Riley Livingston.
Mayo best summed up the moment when she said, "We all wanted to do something great for each other."
