GAMES
RANKINGS
Volleyball Prospectus: Here's A Look At What Else Lamar CISD Has To Offer On The Volleyball Court Again
Fulshear Chargers
Coach Sydney Zimmerman enters this season with a 215-71 career record … The Chargers were Class 5A State Champions in 2019 and State Finalists in 2020 … Fulshear lost two key leaders in Ava Underwood and Brielle Warren from last season. They’re now playing at Texas A&M and Purdue, respectively … Keep an eye on a pair of key transfers in sophomores Addison Lednicky (previously George Ranch) and Alexys James (Katy Jordan).
Foster Falcons
The Falcons have finished second in district play each of the last two seasons.They shared the district title with Fulshear last season but lost a seeding game to finish second going into the playoffs … Foster has a pair of sophomores to keep an eye on in Brooke Barnes and Kate Henderson.
Lamar Consolidated Mustangs
The Mustangs’ top goal this season: getting to the third round of the playoffs and overcoming the hurdle of the Area round …Lamar Consolidated graduated a lot of its star leaders from last season.
Terry Rangers
The Rangers have a talented trio of underclassmen that figures to play a huge role in this season’s success … Terry is two years removed from a third-place finish in district and postseason appearance.
Randle Lions
Randle enters its first year of varsity play. Kristen Cavallo is the head coach. Cavallo was previously the head coach at Lamar Consolidated High and briefly stepped away from coaching following the birth of her fourth child.
THE LEAD 'STANGS: Best buds Drapela, Rodriguez keys to Lamar Consolidated's Success
IF LAMAR CONSOLIDATED HIGH'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS TO MAKE IT TO THE REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2008, TWO CHILDHOOD FRIENDS WILL HAVE A HUGE SAY.
Senior outside hitter Cassidy Drapela and senior libero Haley Rodriguez have played together since the seventh grade. And going into their final campaign as Mustangs, only one thing is on their minds.
"Every year, we stop in the second round of the playoffs, and we want to get past it," Rodriguez said. "That's
been what we're working for. Hopefully, we can make it to that next level."
Drapela is a 6-foot power hitter who has been verbally committed to Houston Baptist since the start of her sophomore year. She has played varsity since her freshman year. All three seasons she has been a first team, all-district selection.
"She's someone the girls look up to," second-year coach Yolanda Sinegal said. "She's someone I look up to. She just has this calming influence."
Drapela does not lack confidence.
She said it's a testament to her older, Catherine, who also played at HBU. Catherine, four year older than Drapela, introduced her younger sister to the sport.
"She didn't go easy on me at all. I think that's why I'm so aggressive," Drapela said. "She did not treat me like a 10-year- old. She treated me like a player on her level."
Rodriguez is versatile, the prototypical team player who does whatever is needed.
Lamar Consolidated senior Haley RodriguezJustin Hartojo | VYPE Media
She started last season as the setter, running Sinegal's new 5-1 offense, before moving to defensive specialist. This season, she will play libero.
"She's always about winning, and that's what I love about Haley," Drapela said. "She'll fight to win."
Rodriguez's biggest contribution, however, might be her empathy."
Singeal added: "She knows how to put herself in somebody else's shoes. She's able to give me a different perspective on other players and how they may see things."
Drapela averages 20 kills and two aces per match. Rodriguez averages 20 digs per match.
But as talented as they are on the court, it's the intangibles— humility, poise, selflessness— that define the two.
"They're rare," Sinegal said. "They're the leaders."