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Undefeated Houston Stratford headlines a field of state powerhouses gathering in Pearland this weekend for the annual Katrinka Jo Crawford tournament. Play begins Thursday and runs through Saturday.

State's Elite Gather In Pearland For Katrinka Jo Crawford Tournament

By Steven Thomson

Sept. 4 — Two defending state champions and 13 of LoneStarVolleyball.com's current state top 20 head up the field in the Katrinka Jo Crawford volleyball tournament hosted by Pearland High School. The tournament gets under way today with the first two rounds of play. A third round will be played Friday morning, followed by the final rounds on Saturday.

The 42-team event includes top four seeds Austin Westlake (1), Arlington Martin (5), Cypress Creek (9) and Stratford (4). Westlake (UIL 5A) and St. Michael's Academy (TAPPS 5A) are coming off 2002 state championships. The Chaps are ranked No. 4 in the nation by prepvolleyball.com.

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Even with the absence of San Antonio powers Clark and Churchill due to budget restraints, the 2003 Pearland tournament still ranks as one of the best fields in the history of Texas high school volleyball.

"I think this is our best field ever,'' Pearland coach John Turner said. "Our first and second rounds are going to look like the regional playoffs. We have all the best Amarillo, Austin and Arlington schools. This year, we got Corpus Christi Carroll in.''

Photo by Gerald Castillo

Jackie Lucas (2) and the New Braunfels Unicorns are among the state's best that Pearland coach John Turner has attracted to the Katrinka Jo Crawford tournament.

Turner has worked fervently over the last four years to attract a top-level entry list. He began with Westlake and Martin and added more big names each year.

Two-time 5A finalist Stratford and perennial state power Cy Creek appear for the first time this season.

"We want the competition and to see the teams that are playing,'' Stratford coach Becky Palermo said. "Our kids need to be here. I think it's going to be fun.''

Westlake coach Al Bennett is one of the Pearland tournament's biggest supporters. He feels the event has helped the Chaps in their last two playoff runs.

In the 2001 Pearland finals, Westlake overcame a 14-6 third-game deficit to beat Clear Creek. Bennett called on that positive experience when the Chaps trailed O'Connor 11-3 in the third game of the Region IV finals.

Westlake lost their first tournament match last year as Clear Creek swept the Chaps in two games.

"Losing last year was the best thing that happened to us,'' Bennett said. "We knew we had to get better if we wanted to get back to the state tournament. This tournament puts you in a playoff mentality.'' Bennett also praised Pearland for spacing the matches over three days and providing a lot of down time in between. Play ends early on Friday and Saturday, giving teams a chance to rest, take in some sights or play arranged matches.

"It's a great team bonding trip for us,'' Bennett said. "Having a good amount of down time is a wonderful addition. Our kids and our parents really look forward to this weekend.''

Amarillo and Tascosa made the journey down from the Panhandle for the first time last fall. Sandies coach Jan Barker is looking forward to a return visit this week.

"It's great to be able to play new teams and see different styles of play,'' Barker said. "Unless we make it to the state tournament, this is our only chance to see teams in the Houston area. It makes you feel more comfortable if you go to state.''

While Barker is fitting a lot of new players into her lineup, Westlake and Martin are stocked with veteran players. Martin coach Joni McCoy is looking forward to testing her squad against the best in the state.

"We're ready to go play,'' McCoy said. "I've got almost everyone back. I like going to Pearland because of the variety of competitive teams that we wouldn't see otherwise. It's good for me and good for the kids.''