From the Director's Corner

Just a brief update on club teams and their performance in competition.

The season started off with 3 teams in 3 different age groups: 17U, 15U & 12U. As a result of so many young girls 12 and under, showing an interest in the sport of Volleyball, we ended up with 16 girls on the 12U team. So this age group was divided into 2 teams in 2 different age groups: 12U and 11U.

None of the girls on the 11U are actually 11, they are 7, 8, 9, & 10. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT to see the interest in volleyball at such a young age, and this is the perfect age to start learning BASIC FUNDAMENTAL VOLLEYBALL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. They will play in their first 11U tournament on Sunday, March 21 at Willowbrook, starting at 8am. Shonda Johnson will coach, with Penny Johnson as the assistant.

12U - Will play on March 27, Location to be determined. They have played in 2 Tournaments and have won at least 3 games each tournament, and showing improvement each time. They have made great adjustments to 3 different coaches, with their final coach being the Director, Jacqueline Stewart with Shonda Johnson as the assistant.

17U - Participation in Houston Shootout, which is a Power League consisting of 77 teams, competing for ranking each month. Most of these players are 15, 16 & (4) 17's. As they are ranked #77, the team is struggling, but there are individuals showing great improvement from the beginning of the season. As the Director and the Coach JoEllen Eggert are in constant dialog and communication about presenting concepts and material that focuses on maturity and personal development, we are hopeful that the remaining two tournaments will yield positive results.

15U - Participation in the Houston Power League, which is a power league consisting of 76 teams, also competing for ranking each month. Most of the these players are 13 & 14, turning 15 during the season. They are ranked number 44. In January they were ranked 56 and with their team performance and a consistent winning record, they moved up in the ranks, which is an outstanding accomplishment. They have put the Houston Starlings on radar and as a result of their performance. A potential donor spoke with the coaching staff, Tacho Richards and assistant Shonda Johnson about some of the club needs that she may be interested in providing a donation to help meet those needs.

I was very proud to be in conversation with the "potential donor", who's daughter plays with one of the more elite and nationally ranked clubs in Houston that our 15U beat in competition, which was not an easy win. They only won by 2 points each game. She was overwhelmed with the fact that the girls were so well behaved, had skills and were able to execute as a team and beat the team that was ranked #29. (Impressive) .

Also, Alesa Ware, your Outstanding Financial Director , was pulled to the side by the Director of Texas Tornandos, (another elite and nationally ranked club), stating what great skills the girls had and invited them to some training opportunities that Tornadoes will have this summer, that she thinks the girls could benefit from. And the Director personally told each girl, " good game", after they beat the #29 team.

I am very proud of the girls that are taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented for them. And I thank you parents for your continued support and for allowing your daugters to participate in the other areas that are not volleyball related. I know that this is a volleyball club, but I see so many areas that are not volleyball related that could benefit the girls and when I see that, I try to put something in place to help meet that need.

We may be small in numbers and may not have the nice facilities in which to practice, but your/my/our girls are growing and developing and are being productive. Keep up the good work.

And again, thank you choosing the Houston Starlings for your childs volleyball development.

Your Director,
Jacqueline Stewart