Feb 07, 2012
Dawson making a case as one of the area's top teams
August 25, 2010
PEARLAND — The Dawson Lady Eagles are making an early season statement after winning their first volleyball tournament in school history.
This past week, head coach Lori McLaughlin saw her girls take on some of the top teams in the Houston area and came home with the Gabby Romero Memorial Varsity Tournament first-place team trophy.
Dawson beat Brazoswood (9-5) in the semifinals in two sets 25-17, 25-21 to improve their overall season record to 11-3.
The Lady Eagles faced La Porte for the third time in a week in the tournament finals and came away with a sweep over the Lady Bulldogs 25-20, 20-25, 25-20 to get the tournament win.
"We are very excited to have our first tournament championship in Dawson High School volleyball history," McLaughlin said. "The girls really pulled through by beating 5A La Porte three times in one week which is not an easy feat. We're just glad to have been successful all three times. I hope our accomplishments will be useful in going into the Pearland Volleyball Classic Tournament."
Dawson is now 12-3 overall and plays in one of the top districts in the Houston area.
"District 24-4A is stacked with a lot of talent and competition," McLaughlin said. "You can only expect that it will be a great fight until the end for the district title."
Most local volleyball experts pick Friendswood, Dawson, Santa Fe, and Manvel to finish as the top four teams and advance to the playoffs.
While Friendswood and Santa Fe will field strong teams, the Lady Eagles, who lost only two seniors from last year's team, will definitely be in the mix for the league title.
"The players who will be vital for us again this season will be our libero Danielle Sullivan, LS Camryn Kazmierski, setters Katie Haynie and Olivia Underwood, middle Grace Underwood, and RS/MB Camille Bender. LS/RS Rianne Brink will add some depth on the left and right side and DS Erica Brown will add depth in our ball control and back defensive abilities."
McLaughlin also listed Katey Kyle, Yewande Akanbi, and Kelsey Ediger who have already been impact players.