By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

Standout players? Yep. Stellar coaching? Certainly.

But when it comes to analyzing the reasons behind Westlake’s remarkable streak of Texas Girls Coaches Association all-star volleyball appearances, look no further than the Chaps’ success despite grueling schedules, said Westlake coach Al Bennett.

Elly Barrett’s appearance in Wednesday’s TGCA Class 4A-5A All-Star Game marked the 10th consecutive year that a Chap has appeared in the contest.

“I think it speaks a lot to the caliber of athletes that we’ve had but also to the quality of teams that we’ve had,” said Bennett, whose teams have qualified for six state tournaments and have won a pair of state titles this decade. 

The Chaps also participate in a murderer’s row of predistrict tournaments that brings the program plenty of exposure in the state’s major media markets of Dallas and Houston.

“There can be a lot of politiking that can go on [with all-state selections], but people know I don’t play politics,” Bennett said. “We play as tough a schedule as anyone, and we do get a lot of exposure. Everyone knows what our kids bring to the table.”

Like her all-star predecessors, Barrett brought plenty to the table in her three seasons on Westlake’s varsity team. The 6-foot all-state setter set a single-season school record for assists in 2008 and helped the Chaps reach consecutive state title games.

She will play for the University of California in the fall. 

 

 

Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 4A-5A All-Star Volleyball Game

When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Burger Center, 3200 Jones Road