Six Seniors Lead Lady Leps Into 2021 Volleyball Season
Tuesday starts an extra special season for La Grange head volleyball coach Leslie Coltrain – the final season coaching her daughter Emma, who is a senior.
“It is just a little surreal. I can’t believe we’re already here,” Leslie Coltrain said. “We made this move (to La Grange from Tomball) when she was a freshman four years ago, so it’s a little strange to already be here.”
Emma is one is six seniors (including Maddi Mach, Layne Wied, Citlalli Barcenas, Abigail Dela Rosa and Brynna Stackhouse) on a Lady Leps team that will open its season Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. in Weimar.
Those seniors are looking to fill the shoes of some big-time graduates (including four starters) from last year’s team that went 16-15 but 10-1 in district to claim a district co-championship before losing to Burnet in the first round of the playoffs. Among those graduates were Lanie Doyle, Megan Brothers, Natalie Blackwell, Ryann Marshall and Ashlynn Golan.
“We have some big shoes to fill, but we talked about how last year’s team was last year’s team and this year’s team will have to put their own stamp on things,” Leslie Coltrain said. “We’ve got a lot of girls that can play multiple positions, which is nice. Lots of versatility, so in the early going we’ll throw out a lot of lineups and see where we gel best.”
But it’s not just seniors that will lead this Lady Leps team.
Juniors Madison Fritz and Hailey Hill were on a TexStar Club team that won a national volleyball title in Florida this summer.
“Knowing they can perform on that level and have that kind of success means great things for us,” Leslie Coltrain said of Fritz and Hill.
And this year’s team should have plenty of opportunities to prove itself.
Last year, amidst the pandemic, teams did not play in tournaments, so there were a lot less matches.
Not so this season.
“We’ll be back in the big tournaments,” Leslie Coltrain said. “It will be fun, but it will also be a real growing experience for us. This is a fun group, we’ll see how we progress.”
Tuesday’s other county volleyball season openers:
• Hallettsville at Flatonia
• Burton at Schulenburg
• Hempstead at Fayetteville
* RTC opens at Franklin Tourney Thursday
“It’s kind of surreal just because she’s been my coach through it all. It feels like the end of an era. I think it’s going to be a good one.
– Emma Coltrain, whose mom is the head coach
“We had a lot of talent that did graduate but this group really knows how to work together and I think it’s going to be a great season because of that.”
– Maddi Mach
“I’m glad to be back and playing with the girls I grew up with. It’s a lot different from Fayetteville. I had a great experience there, but I’m glad to be back.”
– Layne Wied, who was at Fayetteville ISD last season.
“We’re definitely hungry (for another district title). We always want to come out on top and succeed and try to go even further this year.
– Citlalli Barcenas
“It was nervewracking trying to come back but I have worked hard to come back this season and excited to see where this season takes us.”
– Abigail Dela Rosa, who was injured and didn’t play last year.
“It’s going to be hard work this season (replacing the four graduated starters) but these girls have the talent and mindset to do well.”
– Brynna Stackhouse