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THE RANKINGS: UH-commit Dworaczyk quarterbacks No. 23 Magnolia West
MAGNOLIA WEST REACHED THE AREA ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS IN 2024 AFTER GOING 28-12 OVERALL.
Fourth-year coach Kristin Lemoine returns four starters as the Mustangs try to make it three-straight trips to the playoffs in 2025.
University of Houston-commit Shannon Dworaczyk will lead the crew after being named District 15-6A Setter of the Year, AVCA All-Region and first-team, all-district. Dworaczyk racked up 1,391 assists, 314 digs and 125 kills a year ago.
Also returning are first-team, all-district picks in outside hitter Hayden Stebbins (441kills, 437 digs, 35 aces) and right-side hitter Alex Kerman (277 kills,93 digs, 20 blocks 17 aces). Other key returners include middle-hitter Rubie Mullens (second-team, all-district), who had 107 kills with 71digs, 51 blocks and 39 aces and Alexis Massey.
“We have a strong returning group that has been playing together for a while,” Lemoine said. “Leadership, chemistry, and game knowledge will help be our strong attributes.”
Cain turns reigns of volleyball program over to Lemoine presented by CertaPro Painters
Kristin Lemoine has been a program-builder at her last two stops.
At Nederland High in Southeast Texas, the 'Dogs hadn't been to the postseason for a few years before her arrival.
She led Nederland, where her husband coached soccer, to the postseason all three seasons and earned the title of District Champs in her last year.
Lemoine would make the move to New Caney HS for two seasons. She went 12-23 in year one and 23-19 in year two. At the time, her husband Matt was the girls soccer coach at Klein HS. She had an "in" in Klein ISD when the Cain job came open.
"I live in Tomball so it was close to home," she said. "I have little kids who can go to school in the district, but most importantly – purple in my favorite color. It's a great move for me and the type of athletes at Klein Cain are special. It checked all the boxes."
Cain missed the playoffs after going 30-15 in one of the toughest districts in the state of Texas with Klein, The Woodlands, Oak Ridge and College Park. In realignment, Conroe ISD has moved out of their district and Tomball ISD has moved in.
"I have some core covenants," she said. "I'm big on building relationships on and off the court. I want a family atmosphere and to create a foundation of communication and actions. Being a team is more than a promise to your teammates, it's actions."
The Springtown, Texas-native played libero for Howard Payne University, so it's no surprise that her teams are defensive-oriented.
"I'm a hard-working defensive-minded coach," she said. "I've spent a lot of time watching film of last year's team. There is a lot of promising, quality talent. It's all about refining those skills. It's going to be a good year."
So, what would be a win for the first year coach?
"Seeing the girls progress from the preseason to the finish," she said. "I want to see them stay consistent in practice and game environments for the entire year. If they hold each other accountable, I feel that will be a win."
How about her guilty pleasure?
"I'm a crazy Nutella person," she laughed. "I love it on everything. My players know it too. I've even gotten and bouquet of Nutella jars as a gift at Nederland. It was so good."
If Cain gets in the playoffs in 2020, back up the truck – it's Nutella for everyone.
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