By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor 

It’s not easy to set records at a school like Westlake, where impressive volleyball marks stand alongside championship trophies.

But that’s what Sara Shaw did during a remarkable junior season that ended in the Class 5A state championship game and earned her the Westlake Picayune’s District 25-5A Most Valuable Player award.

Shaw, a 6-foot-1-inch outside hitter committed to the University of Southern California, broke the school record for kills in a single season with 698. She also set a new match record with 31 kills against San Antonio Churchill. In addition, Shaw also had 550 digs, 83 aces and 65 blocks while rarely leaving the court for the District 25-5A champion Chaps.

Lauren Dickson held the previous school record of 583 kills set in 2005 as well as 29 kills in a single match. 

Like Dickson, Shaw delivered when her team needed her the most. Her match record of 31 kills came in a taut five-game regional quarterfinal contest against San Antonio Churchill. She also had 27 kills in a regional final win over San Antonio Reagan and received a spot on the Class 5A all-state tournament team.