KFDM COOP Posted August 10, 2006 Report Posted August 10, 2006 http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17035894&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512556&rfi=6 West Brook, Ozen volleyball teams ready for season BEAUMONT - Her voice carried through the quiet West Brook gymnasium Wednesday afternoon. It took Rebecca LaBauve a moment to gather her thoughts but once she began to speak she talked excitedly about her team's efforts. The first-year volleyball coach stood on the sideline while she carefully gripped a volleyball as she addressed her players. LaBauve practically cast beams of light on the players that surrounded her as she repeated "keep your eyes on the ball." "Keeping your eyes on the ball is one of many things that players need to do in practice and in games," LaBauve said. "During practice we concentrate most of our time on the fundamentals of the game." The Bruins, who practice only once a day, spend three hours during their afternoon practices working on conditioning and the fundamentals of the game. "The girls have been working very hard," LaBauve said. "They came out the first day of practice very gung-ho. They have been really good about working hard. One of there goals is to make the playoffs so they are willing to work to achieve that goal." LaBauve was an assistant at Ozen before she took over as the West Brook varsity coach. Prior to joining the Panthers program last year, she was the head coach at Kelly High School for five years. LaBauve replaces former coach Shawn Shackelford who will begin the Atascocita volleyball program, which is in its first year of existence. West Brook and Atascocita will open the District 21-5A season on Sept. 8 in Humble. "I am really excited about being here," LaBauve said. "One of my goals is to help lead the team to the playoffs. This group of kids have never made it to the playoffs so we are trying to build up the program to make it happen." The Bruins return five players from last year's squad. Seniors Katie Shumaker, Ashley Thomas, Chassity Hancock, Shamara Pinson, and sophomore Katie Michaelson all return to help lead the Bruins back to the playoffs. "We are in a new district with a different alignment," LaBauve said. "We don't have Spring or Westfield in our district but we still have some pretty good teams and we have to be prepared for when the district season rolls around." Across town in the Pear orchid neighborhood, Ozen coach Shy Randle watched closely as her players served to one another on the court. It was just one of many drills that the Panthers went through during their afternoon practice. Randle opted for her team to practice twice a day, with the Panthers first practice scheduled from 6 a.m. to 8. Players return to the school's gym for a two-hour evening practice from 6 p.m. to 8. "We focus on conditioning and fundamentals in practice," Randle said. "The girls have been real positive and have had a good attitude in practice. In the past we have had to work on the mental aspect of the game but this team doesn't have that problem. They all have fun personalities. They do things without me having to tell them what to do. I am really going to enjoy coaching them this season." Jerlessa King, Jasmine Wells, Jaila Carvin, Michelle Jenkins, and Sojourner Brown return from last year's second round playoff team. Klein Oak defeated Ozen 3-1 in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs last season. The Panthers will get their first opportunity to see how well their team works together in their first scrimmage on Friday. Ozen will host a five-team scrimmage that begins at 1 p.m. Friday at Ozen. The scrimmage continues on Saturday at 10 a.m. Ozen, Memorial, West Orange-Stark, Orangefield, and Central will all compete in the two-day scrimmage. "I have high expectations for the team and they have high expectations for themselves," Randle said. "They are really getting after it and that's what it takes if you want to make a deep run in the playoffs."
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