Retired LHS Teacher’s Granddaughter Helps Lead Team To Nationals, Named Club MVP

Jaylee Griste, granddaughter of La Grange’s “legendary” Mr. Charles Griste, made her grandfather Charles Griste proud this summer with a standout performance at the 2025 Girls Jr. National Volleyball Championship held June 21-24 in Kansas City Missouri.

Griste, team captain for the BCS Skyline 13 Volleyball team based in College Station, helped lead her squad to a 3rd place finish out of 62 teams in the Patriot Division. They played teams from California, Hawaii, Chicago, Wisconsin and Kansas City, and earned a spot in the Gold Bracket after finishing pool play with a 7-1 record.

Griste (#3) who plays both libero and outside hitter was also honored as her clubs 13’s MVP for the 2025 season.

Her coach, Jacky Pence, a multi-time National Coach of the Year, praised Jaylee with high accolades during the MVP presentation, “Jaylee has been our secret weapon. She is a mighty impact in a tiny package. Her skills and calmness have been incredibly important to us. She is a tremendous athlete that makes everything look easy. We know that something good will happen if she’s touching the ball. She has earned the respect from all of us and her opponents. She looks for no special attention. Our team would not be what it is without her.”

Now entering 8th grade in Bryan, Jaylee continues to train and compete, recently having earned a spot on Skyline’s team for next season 14 Royal. She hopes one day to play college volleyball.