By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

In the end, Elly Barrett’s career at Westlake ended just like it began.

With a win.

Tethered together by Westlake’s all-state setter, the West All-Stars rolled to a three-game sweep of their East counterparts at the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 4A/5A All-Star Game Wednesday at the Burger Center.

Barrett had 10 assists and four kills while sharing time at the setter spot. After the game, she also shared the spotlight by earning the TGCA’s Class 4A/5A Athlete of the Year award.

“I had no idea this would happen,” Barrett said while cradling the plaque. “It’s such an honor to receive this.

“It’s been a fun couple of days getting to know some of the girls. I’ve seen all these girls growing up and playing club. It’s fun to finally play with them.”

Barrett became the first Chap player to receive the TGCA Athlete of the Year honor since Lauren Dickson in 2006. According to her high school coach, the award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving player.

“All along, I felt that she was the best player in the state,” Chap coach Al Bennett said. “She’s a great player and a great leader. This award means that a lot of people recognize how good she is and how calm she is. Everyone loves to play with her. It’s never been about ego with Elly. It’s always been about the team.”

Some quick chemistry between Barrett and her temporary teammates keyed the 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 win. The all-stars only had two practice sessions together, including an hour-long workout Wednesday morning.

However, that lack of practice didn’t prevent Barrett and her teammates from running plays with precision. Barrett worked particularly well with Hutto middle blocker and club teammate Jessica O’Shoney and Trinity middle blocker Lauren Martin. Those two combined to convert six of Barrett’s eight assists in the first game into kills, including Martin’s game winner on a back set.

“We played really well together, and I think that’s why the match went so quick,” Barrett said. “That team [the East] is really good. I’m surprised we won in three.”

Bennett agreed with his all-star, crediting the West’s ability to play together for the win.

“All-star games like this are a showcase,” he said “You see great individual play but usually not that much teamwork. Whichever team jells the quickest usually wins, and that’s what happened tonight.”

Rowlett outside hitter Jasmine Norton, a University of Arkansas recruit, received the match’s Most Valuable Player award after firing four kills and two aces and leading the West in digs.

Kendall Cleveland of Cypress Falls, Norton’s future collegiate teammate, hammered a match-high 12 kills while rarely leaving the court for the East.

The match marked the end of an era for Barrett, who leaves for the University of California Aug. 6. However, her achievements in three years on Westlake’s varsity team have left a mark in the Chap record book. She set a school record for assists in a single season in 2008 with 1,362, and she led Westlake to a cumulative record of 84-10 with two appearances in the state championship game in two seasons as the Chaps’ starting setter.

 “It’s a little strange knowing that this is the last game as a Chap,” she said. “But I know that I’ll always feel like I’m a Westlake player.”