Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Melanie Bohot and Tracy Sorth concentrate on getting the ball over the net and use one of the many techniques by V. Pai they were taught to get their opponents off guard. Photo Tracy Sorth tries to confuse and Melanie Bohot contcr theopposlngteamwithahigh plate the next move. Photot jump, while Wende Wilding L. Cates Junior Varsity Takes Fourth Spot In District ‘‘All Right! All Right! All Right! Okay! Okay! Okay! All Right! All Right! Okay! Rams all the way!” Only one chant was needed to get the team fired up before a game. The voice of Junior Belinda Moreno seemed to stand out as the chant was yelled. The team used other good luck charms like crossing fingers and saying a prayer before each game. At the special Hastings game. Coach Bodine got balloons with ‘‘Bust The Bears!” on them, and tied beef jerky to the string representing bear meat. She and Manager Kristy Lay tied the balloons to each player’s chair for good luck. According to Coach Bodine. the team did very well, with only three returning players, and a district record of nine wins, five losses. ‘‘They're all real coachable. They have lots of potential and experience playing together. They have the determination to be the best.” The team had three setbacks. Julie Hurlbert and Belinda Moreno broke a leg and were out for the season, and Tamie Wilding had her finger slammed in a car door. These three setbacks turned out to be only minor ones, because the team placed fourth in district. By M. Turner, Reporter Trying desperately to win the tanoously up at the n game, Chris Tucker and Photo by V. Pal Tracy Sorth Jump simul- 68 J.V. Volleyball

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Junior Michelle Wil- liams, Seniors Debra Collier, and Michelle Sumler Front: D. Collier, M. Williams, M. Merideth • Manager, M. Sumler, S. Barrett; 2nd: J. Helsler, A. Sthole - Manager, C. Cradit- Trainer, C. Lengyel • Manager, C. Feakes; Back: Q. Hund - Manager, B. Deckerd, K. Hiatt • Stats. D. Lyngaas, Coach Brannan. Success Doesn’t Always Come From Winning Senior Sherri Barrett commented. “There are always things you wish you could change when you look back. Our record does not show it very well, but actually we had a successful season. We had a young team with only three seniors.” There were only four returning lettermen, and several players were out of games due to ineligibility, but Coach Brannan felt optomistic about next year. “We will be much stronger next year. We will have more returning starters, and some strong, aggressive new players. Junior Cindy Feakes commented, “We now know that our success doesn't have to show on the scoreboard, but it does show through our friendships and team unity. The best game of the season was unanimously voted as the first Hastings game. Junior Dawn Lyngaas exclaimed, We all played to our best potential while the fans went wild and crazy ! Coach Brannan explained, “Both teams played well; there were many fans, and regardless of the outcome, this is what athletics is all about. They beat Hastings with scores of 15-7, 10-15, and 15-13. To commemorate this occasion, the team received blue and white balloons with BUST THE BEARS on them. Jenny Heisler was the only freshman to play on the team. She started out as a member of the freshman team, then moved up to J.V. She finally had her chance to play varsity when a player became ineligible. There were several key players on the team. Sherri Barrett and Dawn Langaas worked hard as the setters, and Cindy Feakes did a good job at middle blocker and hitter. Despite these exceptional players, the team lost to Spring Woods, who won district, and Memorial, who placed second. By Michelle Turner, Sports Reporter nlor Debra Collier warms right arm. Photo by M. bofore a game by Splller ictlclng her spikes with her Varsity Volleyball 67

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Setter Kaddie Mahoney Front: J. Barnett, K. Lay • Manager, Coach Bodine, M. Turner, Manager, M. Bohot, 2nd: W. Wilding, T. Wilding. C. Tucker, J. Hurlbert, Back: B. Moreno, P. DeMare, K. Belson, B. Pintevalle Opponent Junior Varsity District: 4th Score Northbrook 15-8, 15-11 Hastings 15-7, 15-13 Spring Woods 17-15, 17-15 Stratford 14-16, 10-15 Memorial 8-15, 16-18 Spring Branch 15-7, 15-4 Wostchostor 15-13, 14-16, 18-16 Northbrook 11-15, 15-7, 15-5 Hastings 13-15, 7-15 Spring Woods 15-10, 17-15 Stratford 4-15, 12-15 Momorlal 15-11, 17-15 Spring Branch 15-11, 15-11 Westchester 14-16, 15-6, 9-15 Sophomores Tracy Sorth and Melanie Bohot show teamwork pays off when Tracy sots up to spike the ball, and Brldgette Pintevale con- templates hor next move. Photo by V. Pal J.V. Volleyball 69