LG’s Heinrich Calls it a Career After Freshman Year at Midland College
Becca Heinrich’s volleyball career at Midland College lasted one season.
The La Grange High School graduate has decided to discontinue playing because of a shoulder injury, which bothered her during the recently completed season. “For my future, I think it would be best,” the freshman said.
The outside hitter said the injury to her right shoulder, her swinging arm, does not require surgery but that she needs to continue therapy for a couple of months.
“It’s been a long time of overuse,” she said about the injury. “It’s been so uncomfortable.”
Heinrich played in seven of the 14 matches this season and finished with 42 digs and 20 kills. She had a season-high eight kills and 12 digs during a win over Western Texas College and twice had a season-high 14 digs.
“Becca did very well for us,” Midland head volleyball coach Tammie Jimenez said. “She is an all-around athlete and has great skills.”
“She works hard,” she said. “She has the best attitude.”
Heinrich was a bit undersized for an outside hitter and didn’t jump as high as some of the other outside hitters, the coach said, so to compete better, she played smarter. Finesse became a bigger part of her offensive game.
Defensively, “she did outstanding,” said Jimenez, who planned to move her to defensive specialist had she decided to continue playing.
Her 14 digs Feb. 17 against Clarendon led the squad, and her 14 digs March 23 against Frank Phillips were second on the team.
Despite the injury, Heinrich is content with how the season went. “It was a really great experience,” she said. “I’m really happy with how I performed.”
Because she won’t be playing volleyball, she said she is transferring to Blinn College.
Softball
Schulenburg High product Macey Thompson batted .308 and drove in two runs in six games for Concordia University Texas. The freshman utility player stole two bases in three attempts.
La Grange alumna Lauren Little hit .227 in 15 games for Rhodes College. The sophomore utility player had five runs batted in and had a .944 fielding percentage in 18 chances.
Baseball
Flatonia High graduate Casen Novak batted .329 in 23 games for Concordia University Texas. The senior infielder had 10 RBIs and seven stolen bases in as many tries.
Schreiner University senior Caleb Valchar hit .200 with one RBI in eight games. He played for Schulenburg.
Men’s track and field
Texas A & M University senior Josh Brown won the discus throw at a meet against Texas. His toss traveled 179 feet, 11 inches. The former Shorthorn placed second in the event at the next meet and threw a careerbest 186-1.
Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.