2022 Regional Finalists Ready to Take the Court
2022 Regional Finalists Ready to Take the Court
Birdville Hawk Volleyball made the longest playoff run of any team sport at Birdville High School last year, all the way to the Regional tournament. Last year marked the second time Hawk Volleyball made it to Regionals, one step away from the State stage. This year their sights are set on that final step.
Birdville Hawk Volleyball made the longest playoff run of any team sport at Birdville High School last year, all the way to the Regional tournament. Last year marked the second time Hawk Volleyball made it to Regionals, one step away from the State stage. This year their sights are set on that final step.
Coach Whitney Woody starts year two at the helm of the powerhouse Hawk Volleyball team. In her debut year Coach Woody led the team farther in playoffs than any other team since 2018, and no other team before that.
Coach Whitney Woody starts year two at the helm of the powerhouse Hawk Volleyball team. In her debut year Coach Woody led the team farther in playoffs than any other team since 2018, and no other team before that.
Volleyball ended their year 3rd in District 7-5A with a District record of 9-5 and an overall record of 27-22.
Volleyball ended their year 3rd in District 7-5A with a District record of 9-5 and an overall record of 27-22.
The Hawks also had an unprecedented 10 athletes receive All-District awards, three players received All-Area awards and one received All-State accolades. With 5 graduating seniors from last year, the question becomes, is it a year we rebuild or reload?
The Hawks also had an unprecedented 10 athletes receive All-District awards, three players received All-Area awards and one received All-State accolades. With 5 graduating seniors from last year, the question becomes, is it a year we rebuild or reload?
Coach Woody believes there is no doubt they are reloading, saying, "We have seniors ready to step in and step up, who know what it takes. Our team is a mixed bag of talent and every girl is ready to step up in big ways."
Coach Woody believes there is no doubt they are reloading, saying, "We have seniors ready to step in and step up, who know what it takes. Our team is a mixed bag of talent and every girl is ready to step up in big ways."
Caroline Kahle is one of the biggest holes this team will have to fill. Caroline, now playing volleyball as a Freshman at Stephen F. Austin University dominated the past four years and was named All-State during her senior year playoff run. When asked how Coach Woody sees that hole being filled she said, "Caroline was one of the best at serve receive in the district... all-around really, she was great, but we have players who are working hard to be at that level and fight every day. Caroline was a captain on the court for us. We have girls who can step up and take on that role no doubt, I am just excited to see which ones do." Junior, Teryjah Steward spoke on her former and current team saying, "I love our girls. We loved last years team too. We are just off to a quicker start this year because of it. The team chemistery is there and we are all super focused." When asked who they thought the leaders on the court would be they answered unanimously, Misha Jones. "She leads the girls in ways we need to be led", Steward says. "She is such a positive energy and keeps us on track at practice and in games", added Cooke.
Caroline Kahle is one of the biggest holes this team will have to fill. Caroline, now playing volleyball as a Freshman at Stephen F. Austin University dominated the past four years and was named All-State during her senior year playoff run. When asked how Coach Woody sees that hole being filled she said, "Caroline was one of the best at serve receive in the district... all-around really, she was great, but we have players who are working hard to be at that level and fight every day. Caroline was a captain on the court for us. We have girls who can step up and take on that role no doubt, I am just excited to see which ones do." Junior, Teryjah Steward spoke on her former and current team saying, "I love our girls. We loved last years team too. We are just off to a quicker start this year because of it. The team chemistery is there and we are all super focused." When asked who they thought the leaders on the court would be they answered unanimously, Misha Jones. "She leads the girls in ways we need to be led", Steward says. "She is such a positive energy and keeps us on track at practice and in games", added Cooke.
No doubt that the team is full of battle-tested players who are ready to continue the Hawk tradition of long playoff runs. Senior, Maelie Cooke was asked what we can expect this year and she said, " We have all agreed to go to the next step. One step further. Our goal is to win state." Coach Woody mimicked that incentive when asked what her expectations were. With a hesitant sigh she said, " Be great and make a deep play-off run....... ok, we WANT to win state. That's been our mantra. We want to win state, but we want to accomplish that through humility. We need to stay and play in the moment, stay humble. Every night we will have new hurdles, but if we can stay in the present, we will do great."
No doubt that the team is full of battle-tested players who are ready to continue the Hawk tradition of long playoff runs. Senior, Maelie Cooke was asked what we can expect this year and she said, " We have all agreed to go to the next step. One step further. Our goal is to win state." Coach Woody mimicked that incentive when asked what her expectations were. With a hesitant sigh she said, " Be great and make a deep play-off run....... ok, we WANT to win state. That's been our mantra. We want to win state, but we want to accomplish that through humility. We need to stay and play in the moment, stay humble. Every night we will have new hurdles, but if we can stay in the present, we will do great."
It seems the girls are ready for action and expect a lot of fun to follow the Hawks. "Expect to see a lot of communication on the court and a lot of energy from the bench to the court. We want to make the game entertaining for us and everyone watching", Cooke said. Steward piggybacked with the comment, "It's going to be a lot of fun. You will see energy off the bench and us motivating each other non-stop."
It seems the girls are ready for action and expect a lot of fun to follow the Hawks. "Expect to see a lot of communication on the court and a lot of energy from the bench to the court. We want to make the game entertaining for us and everyone watching", Cooke said. Steward piggybacked with the comment, "It's going to be a lot of fun. You will see energy off the bench and us motivating each other non-stop."
Although the squad returns the majority of their seasoned team there are still some core players to make sure to watch. Teryjah Steward will be a force as a Middle Blocker for the Hawks, Teryjah comes off a sophomore year where she averages 1.4 solo blocks per game and 18 overall. She also is awarded with 219 kills for the season, which gave her the honor of being named First Team All-District. It must run in the family because Senior, Lyric Steward joined her sister as another First Team All-District selection. Lyric is versatile at both the Outside Hitting and Middle Blocker racked up quite the stats herself. She accumulated 332 kills throughout the season and averaged 1 solo block per game. Both sisters return to the court in hopes of a historic run. Alongside the family duo will be First Team All-District and Third Team All-Area, Junior, Misha Jones. She will mainly be seen on the back half of the court where her specialty lies as the defensive specialist. While playing that position last year, Misha had 819 overall digs, averaging 12 digs per match. Misha also helped her team behind the line with a 93% serve rate and 321 points coming off of those serves. The last piece of this incredible puzzle comes in the form of Sophomore, Abbi Parr. As a freshman last year, she earned the right to be called District 7-5A Newcomer of the Year and First team All-Area. Abbi is a focal point as a setter for the Hawks. She had a 91 serving percentage that accounted for 336 points for the Hawks. More impressively Abbi was 1 assist shy of 1,200. Abbi claims 1,199 assists in just one year of high school play. Coach Woody is quoted saying, "These four core returners will be fun to watch. They are exciting on the court and know what it takes to win." These four girls will lead the Hawks in what fans, players and coaches are hoping to be a spectacular year.
Although the squad returns the majority of their seasoned team there are still some core players to make sure to watch. Teryjah Steward will be a force as a Middle Blocker for the Hawks, Teryjah comes off a sophomore year where she averages 1.4 solo blocks per game and 18 overall. She also is awarded with 219 kills for the season, which gave her the honor of being named First Team All-District. It must run in the family because Senior, Lyric Steward joined her sister as another First Team All-District selection. Lyric is versatile at both the Outside Hitting and Middle Blocker racked up quite the stats herself. She accumulated 332 kills throughout the season and averaged 1 solo block per game. Both sisters return to the court in hopes of a historic run. Alongside the family duo will be First Team All-District and Third Team All-Area, Junior, Misha Jones. She will mainly be seen on the back half of the court where her specialty lies as the defensive specialist. While playing that position last year, Misha had 819 overall digs, averaging 12 digs per match. Misha also helped her team behind the line with a 93% serve rate and 321 points coming off of those serves. The last piece of this incredible puzzle comes in the form of Sophomore, Abbi Parr. As a freshman last year, she earned the right to be called District 7-5A Newcomer of the Year and First team All-Area. Abbi is a focal point as a setter for the Hawks. She had a 91 serving percentage that accounted for 336 points for the Hawks. More impressively Abbi was 1 assist shy of 1,200. Abbi claims 1,199 assists in just one year of high school play. Coach Woody is quoted saying, "These four core returners will be fun to watch. They are exciting on the court and know what it takes to win." These four girls will lead the Hawks in what fans, players and coaches are hoping to be a spectacular year.
The Hawks take the court tomorrow night August 8th, on home turf, against 6A Keller Central at 6:30 pm. Their first game of the season will be quickly followed up with a tournament in Pearland. Three tournaments and six non-district games is all there is to prepare the Hawks for their District opener on September 8th where the road to state begins.
The Hawks take the court tomorrow night August 8th, on home turf, against 6A Keller Central at 6:30 pm. Their first game of the season will be quickly followed up with a tournament in Pearland. Three tournaments and six non-district games is all there is to prepare the Hawks for their District opener on September 8th where the road to state begins.
"Be there and Be Loud" - T. Steward
"Be there and Be Loud" - T. Steward
Stay up to date with all things Hawk Volleyball by following their twitter @birdvillevball, the female athletics twitter @hawknationgirls or by visiting Volleyball's personal website linked here.
Stay up to date with all things Hawk Volleyball by following their twitter @birdvillevball, the female athletics twitter @hawknationgirls or by visiting Volleyball's personal website linked here.
Til Next Time,
Til Next Time,
Go Hawks!
Go Hawks!
August 7, 2023
August 7, 2023