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Westlake's Lindsey Louis (14), in action against Churchill earlier this season, wants to complete an all-star career with one more state title.

Lindsey Louis wants to finish on top

Nov. 13 — Lindsey Louis remembers her first varsity game as a sophomore. She was so nervous that the first time she left the court she ran outside and got sick.

“I did come back and finish the game,” she says.

Finishing, of course, is what Lindsey does best on the court. It’s rare that the Westlake star doesn’t finish a set with an explosive kill. As a junior she finished her season as the MVP of the 5A State Tournament. And now she would like to finish her career as a member of the first 5A team to win back-to-back state titles since Clear Lake did it in 1983-1984.

The 5'11" senior who is heading to Texas Tech this fall knows how difficult it will be to do something that’s happened at the 5A level only twice in 30 years, however. The Chaps lost only two players from last year’s championship team and entered as everyone’s pre-season #1. But after dominating the Duncanville Tournament of Champions, the Chaps lost to Churchill, Wimberley and Clark in a span of less than two weeks. Even though two of the losses came with star middle Shannon Davis on the bench recovering from a concussion and the team rebounded to win the Katrinka Jo Crawford tournament in Pearland, Lindsey says the losses taught the team a valuable lesson.

“Actually, I think it made us a better team because we realized that everyone can be beat on any given day,” she says.

Westlake will likely have to get past Clark this weekend at the Region IV tournament in order to return to the state tournament for the third year in a row. But regardless of when her season ends, Lindsey will finish her career with as many honors as memories.

In addition to last year’s state tournament MVP, she was the Texas Sports Writers Association Player of the Year in 2002, she has been all-tournament at the state’s three most prestigious tournaments (Duncanville, Pearland and the Fraulein Volleyfest) two years in a row as well as being named outstanding hitter two years in a row at Pearland. She is a member of the LoneStarVolleyball All-Texas Team and two summers ago she was named All-Tournament in the Open Division at the USA Junior Nationals as a member of Austin Junior’s 16 team.

While she is considered one of the state’s most dominating outside hitters, Lindsey also has a solid all-around game. Heading into the playoffs, she had 320 kills, 285 digs and 46 aces.

As Westlake prepared for the Region IV tournament we asked Lindsey to share her thoughts on her career, her decision to play for Texas Tech next fall and Westlake’s chance to finish at the top one more time.

When did you first start playing volleyball?
My mom is a former high school volleyball coach and she introduced me to volleyball when I was 10. She’s taught me a lot about the game.

Did you play other sports when you were young?
Yes I played basketball and softball. At one point when I was younger I remember playing all three sports in one weekend. We would keep my uniforms in the car and I would change on the way from game to game.

How did you decide you really wanted to concentrate on volleyball as one of your sports?
When I got to High School I realized that I had to make a choice between the three sports. Playing club volleyball conflicted with the basketball and softball high school seasons so I chose to play volleyball because that was the sport I hoped I could play in college.

What was last season like - winning the state title and the MVP?
It's hard to explain the feeling I had when we won the state title. Our team worked really hard and reaching our goal of winning the whole thing was unbelievable. Getting MVP was a big surprise to me and I was very honored to receive it. There were so many good players on my team and in the tournament that it really meant a lot to me.

How has this season compared with last season so far?
It’s really been a lot of fun. Our team has grown so much from where we were at this time last year.

How tough was it starting the season as everyone's #1 and having to live up to that?
We only lost two players from last years team so we thought we would be ranked pretty high but coach (Al) Bennett really tells us not to be concerned about rankings and what people say.

We're you worried during the losing stretch earlier this year?
No, we had some injuries and we were experimenting with different line ups and actually I think it made us a better team because we realized that everyone can be beat on any given day.

What are your feelings as you head into this final stretch of the playoffs?
I'm really excited about the playoffs because being a senior I know each game could be my last which motivates me to even play harder.

What did you learn last year that will help you this year?
You never know what is going to happen while you’re out there on the court, so you have to be ready for anything.

What has been the highlight of your high school career? your club career?
In high school winning the state title was the biggest highlight for me. And in club when my team finished fifth at nationals when I was on the 16's.

What has been the major disappointment?
Several years ago in club ball I had a back injury that was preventing me from playing. It made me realize how important volleyball was to me after not being able to practice or play all out for a few months.

How did you make your college decision?
I originally thought I would want to play somewhere out of state, but after taking visits I realized that I wanted to stay in Texas. I was excited when Texas Tech started recruiting me because I always wanted to play in the Big 12. And also my mom graduated from Tech and told me how much she had enjoyed going to school there.

What other schools did you consider?
The main schools I considered were Fresno State and Virginia Tech.

What do you think is the strength of your game?
I think I’m able to see the court well, and my aggressiveness helps me in my hitting. I used to be a setter which has helped me a lot with my overhand passing.

What about weaknesses? What parts of your game do you want to improve?
I would like to improve my quickness and increase my vertical.

Growing up did you have any sports heroes?
For softball it was Lisa Fernandez. In basketball it was Sheryl Swoops and Shaq. And in volleyball it was Demetra Sance.

Who have been your role models?
My mom because she’s a really hard worker and always tries to reach her goals. And my dad because he is always there to support me in good and bad times.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
That I’m really laid back and like to have fun. And I’m really goofy.

What is biggest misconception people have about you?
On the court people have told me I’m very stoic. But actually I'm just extremely competitive and that’s just how I focus.

Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?
Yes, right before the game starts when we huddle on the court I have to touch everyone’s shoe. Also (setter) Meghan Kainz and I have to jump up in the air and high five because we've been doing it since seventh grade.

Who is the toughest player you ever played against?
I would have to say Ryan Maspero who played for Churchill last year. She really is a awesome player and I looked up to her a lot last year since she was a year older then me.

What the greatest play you ever made?
When we played Churchill last year in the playoffs and I went up and hit the ball and hit Ryan in the face.

What are your favorite foods, hobbies and type of music?
Chipotle burritos and Jason Deli turkey melts. I like to draw and take pictures. I like all types of music excluding anything by Jessica Simpson.

What advice would you give others who want to be like Lindsey Louis?
That’s a hard question. I think everyone should find their own strengths and used them to their best abilities.

Lindsey Louis Honors

2002

All Tournament USA Junior Nationals (16 Open)
Duncanville Tournament of Champions (All Tournament)
Fraulein Volleyfest (All tournament)
Katrinka Jo Crawford Tournament (Outstanding hitter)
State Tournament 5A Most Valuable Player
First team all district
LoneStarVolleyball All Texas Team Honorable Mention
All-Centex
All State - TGCA
All State and Player of the Year - Texas sports writers association
Top 50 volleyball prospect- Student Sports

2003

LoneStarVolleyball All Texas Team
Duncanville Tournament of Champions (Outstanding hitter)
Fraulein Volleyfest (All tournament)
Katrinka Jo Crawford Tournament (Outstanding hitter)