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THE RED & GREEN: Lewis, Jones take over leadership role for No. 14 The Woodlands
THE WOODLANDS ADVANCED TO ITS FIRST STATE TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE SINCE 2017 LAST YEAR WHEN THE LADY HIGHLANDERS DEFEATED BRIDGELAND 3-0 TO WIN THE REGION II CHAMPIONSHIP.
The Woodlands fell in the State Semifinals and finished the year 43-10 overall.
Ella Lewis returns to The Woodlands rotation after registering a team-leading 494 kills a year ago. Lewis also chipped in 367 digs. Lewis did that in her sophomore season and with last year’s squad being senior heavy, coach Teri Wade is going to look towards her for leadership in 2023.
Sophie Jones is another name to take note of after racking up a team-leading 111 blocks in 2022 to go with 136 kills.
This team has a lot of pieces and production to replace but look to Lewis and Jones to be the leaders of this group in 2023. Watch out for Brooke Jones (setter), Payton Stroud (setter) and Cameron McDaniel (DS) to play larger roles this season.
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THE NEW FACE OF THE PROGRAM: Lewis the undisputed leader of the Highlanders
ELLA LEWIS IS THE NEW FACE OF THE WOODLANDS VOLLEYBALL.
The Highlanders reached the State Final Four last season and is considered a Top 10 power program in the state of Texas over the past two decades.
The junior first-team, all-district selection follows the likes of Clara Brower (Georgia), Sophie Walls (Penn State), Courtney Eckenrode (Missouri), Georgia Murphy (Oregon), Katie Messing (Pepperdine), and Dylan Maberry (LSU), just to name a few.
Her teammates in 2022 were Molly Tuozzo (Kentucky) and Claire Dewine (Colgate), who were Lone Star State superstars.
Now she carries the torch.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Sure, there is a lot of pressure but I’m definitely excited,” she said. “I’ve been starting as a freshman (District Newcomer of the Year) and sophomore, so I know I’m good enough to be here. I earned my teammates’ respect over the years, but now I’m the upperclassman.”
The junior-to-be will be the undisputed voice on the court, leading a team with limited varsity experience.
“I know what everyone thinks,” she said. “We don’t have all the pieces back we did last year, but you have to remember, I’ve been playing with these girls my entire life and they are really good. Now, it’s their chance to shine. This will be a completely different team.”
While the faces may change, the goals stay the same at The Woodlands.
“For me, I want to be a six-rotation player as an outside,” she said. “I don’t want to leave the court. As a team, the goal is to win district. If you can win this district, you can go a long way in the playoffs. Our saying this year is, ‘Believe Big’ and that is what we plan to do.”
Some of the stars of 2023-24 TWHS VolleyballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Lewis may have a chance to play with her twin, Abby, this year who has been more focused on dance growing up.
“We are pretty different, even today,” Ella said. “We are in the same friend group of course and she started really getting into volleyball later than me.”
If she wasn’t playing volleyball?
“I’d probably be in choir or golf,” she laughed. “My mom went to LSU for music and we sang growing up. Or I would be just watching Grey's Anatomy or reading books like, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’.”
While she hasn’t committed yet, she could see herself playing in California and potentially coaching volleyball after her career wraps up.
“That would be fun,” she said. “I think I would be a pretty good coach. I have a pretty chill personality but secretly I’m trying to win at all costs. In everything.”
Much like the ones who came before her who wore the red and green proudly over the years.