Cooper Shines as a Senior Leader for Lady Leps

La Grange volleyball player Haylie Cooper’s efforts on the defensive end have put the Lady Leps in the running to make a late playoff push. In a five-set thriller against Smithville last Friday, Cooper recorded a whopping 33 digs to help lead her team to victory.

“We moved Haylie to the libero spot and she doubted herself at the beginning,” said La Grange head volleyball coach Leslie Coltrain. “Ever since she’s put that jersey on, she’s owned that role. She just keeps getting better and better at it.”

Cooper’s handling of business on defense has made her our selection for this edition’s Athlete of the Week.

Question: What’s your technique for making a good dig?

Answer: “Keeping my platform still so the ball doesn’t shake off. Staying low so It gets enough air under it so that my setter can get under it and make a good set.”

Question: You’re right on the cusp of a playoff berth. What things do you and your team have to do in order to make the playoffs?

Answer: “We’re really focusing on staying focused and keeping the ball in play because our errors have been high. We’re trying to minimize those so that we can keep playing.”

Question: What are some things you do for conditioning when it comes to volleyball?

Answer: “A lot of our drills have conditioning in it, so we put our entire conditioning into our drills. So we have a lot of fast-paced drills that help us stay conditioned.”

Question: You’re known for your digging. Who’s a teammate that’s made a great serve or attack on you, maybe during practice?

Answer: “I would say Phoebe Tucker because she’s really good at moving the ball deep and short with putting spin and floating it at you.”

Question: What’s your favorite part about Halloween?

Answer: “I would definitely say the Haunted Houses. I’m kind of scared of them, but at the same time, I love them.”

Question: If you had to pick a Halloween movie to watch, which would you pick?

Answer: “Definitely Haunted Mansion on Disney+.”

Question: Where’s a big city or place in Texas you like to go?

Answer: “Maybe Austin.”

Question: If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why?

Answer: “I would definitely say Parker McCollum’s wife because I love his music and I would just like to see what goes on behind a concert.”

Question: How long can you hold your breath under water? If you’re not sure, how long do you think you could hold it?

Answer: “I’m not very good at holding my breath. When I try, I would say maybe 10 seconds.”

Question: What brought you to La Grange?

Answer: “My parents both went to high school here, so after college, they moved back here and now I get to grow up with my family and my best friends since I was little.”

Cooper’s motive to keep the ball off the floor has put La Grange volleyball in contention for a playoff date.