Lady Bulldogs' coach Terri Johnson reviewing the scoresheet.
Hello again, Lady Bulldogs Volleyball fans:
I ran across this one.....Here's an interview with our very own Coach Terri Johnson and taken from the Houston Chronicle which does some previews of several of the up-and-coming Houston area High School Volleyball teams. www.chron.com website
July 24, 2006, 6:13PM
By GLENN SATTELL
Chronicle Correspondent
Leaping into a new and smaller district with a veteran team that experienced a taste of the playoffs last season has Magnolia volleyball coach Terri Johnson anxious to begin the 2006 campaign.
Juniors Michelle Williams, Alicia Shaffer and Hannah Fort will be among the leaders this season on what Johnson describes as a very deep and talented squad.
"Michelle is a very outstanding player and so is Alicia but I feel really good about this group being a very well-rounded team," Johnson said. "Offensively, we'll have a lot of weapons, not just Michelle and Alicia. That's a good thing.
"Hannah Fort, her team (Texas Tornados) went to nationals this year in club and did well in their division. Alicia and Michelle's team finished fifth in the nation in their division.
"Senior outside hitter Kristyn Bergen also completed an exciting summer of club ball.
"She played on a team that was two points away from qualifying for nationals," Johnson said. "We have a really well-rounded group.
"Last year, we had a group of freshmen and about four sophomores, along with the juniors and seniors, but a freshman and four sophomores that saw significant playing time on a team that qualified for the playoffs. In a district with the Cy-Fair schools, they accomplished a lot.
"That main core group of kids will be here for two more years. We're just really lucky to have gotten the kids that we have.
"Johnson said she is thrilled with the team's work ethic.
"The kids put in a lot of time," Johnson said. "They go out and play volleyball year round. They're very dedicated to it. They lift, they run. The play summer league with our high school team even though they're playing club. And really to be successful in 5A you've got to have some kids that are willing to put in a lot of time and just love the game.
"Johnson said she feels the fans will get their money's worth watching this team.
"That's one thing this season that's exciting to me," Johnson said. "For a fan that just wants to come out just to watch a sporting event where it's going to be impressive, you're just going to have a good time because of the people you watch.
"You can tell they just love to play. When somebody spikes a ball down, they just throw their arms up in the air and scream and yell. It's a lot of celebration. When you can do something well, where you're just going to have fun at it, it's going to be a lot of fun to watch.
"Senior setter Caitlin Holland and sophomore Kelli Stewart are also key players for Magnolia.
"We've got a couple of spots where we have some decisions to make and some spots we're going to have to fill," Johnson said.
Perhaps the biggest change for the Lady Bulldogs this season is their move from District 17-5A to 15-5A. It's a whole new set of district opponents but the teams aren't exactly unfamiliar with one another.
"We all compete against each other in summer league," Johnson said. "That has good and bad points.
"Johnson said she is happy to be playing in a six-team district as opposed to the nine-team district that featured Cy-Fair schools.
"You could probably go six teams deep in the Cy-Fair district and you're getting very competitive volleyball," Johnson said. "Not to slight the district that we're going into, but it's six teams as opposed to nine and four are going to the playoffs.
"Johnson said she has mixed emotions about leaving District 17-5A.
"I feel like if we had stayed in that Cy-Fair district we could have competed for a district championship with this group," she said.
The Lady Bulldogs are moving not only into a new district but also a new region.
"We won't go through the Houston area schools (in the playoffs)," Johnson said. "Typically it's just a real strong volleyball area. (Instead) we'll go more through Richardson and Plano, Allen. And there are some great teams up there, too.
"Magnolia will face The Woodlands, Oak Ridge, Conroe, The Woodlands College Park and Lufkin in the new setup.
"The Woodlands has some great players," Johnson said. "They're going to be really strong. I would see probably them and us as the contenders (for district honors).
"I'm excited to be in this district. I think it's a great opportunity for this team. I feel like we should go several rounds in the playoffs this year. As long as we keep everybody healthy and keep improving throughout our season.
"Magnolia will renew a rivalry with Oak Ridge and Lady War Eagles coach Janet Tingle when both teams were at the 4A level.
"Coach Tingle teaches very solid skills to her kids," Johnson said. "They have an excellent program and the kids there are always well versed in how to win. They are going to compete and put teams on the floor that are just going to compete all the time. That's the kind of motivator and teacher that she is.
"The Lady Bulldogs will host scrimmages on Aug. 11-12 before opening their 2006 season on Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Dulles. Magnolia's first home match is Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. with Tomball.
