SPECIAL
OFFERS

Click on the item below for more information on great offers for LoneStarVolleyball fans

Action photos courtesy www.arcticferret.us

Last fall Erika Castro led Saint Mary's Hall to a second straight SPC state championship. Now she's preparing for a seventh straight trip to the JOs, this time as a member of Texas Tornados Nike. So what's a girl from San Antonio doing on a team from Houston?

Erika Castro gets the last laugh

June 20 — Spend a few minutes with Erika Castro and you get the idea that she is one very happy person. Ask her a question and she almost always ends her answer with a giggle or a laugh. And there is good reason. This has been a season of last-laughs for the 5’9” powerhouse from San Antonio.

During the high school season the last laugh came when Saint Mary’s Hall won its second straight SPC state championship. During the regular season they also knocked off four-time TAPPS state champion St. Michael’s Academy in a battle of private school powers. In her four years at Saint Mary’s Hall, the team won three state championships. The only year they missed the title (her sophomore season) Erika was out with a broken ankle. She capped her senior season with three all-tournament selections (Saint Mary's Hall, Alamo Heights, San Marcos) and SPC All-Conference honors (the league’s equivalent of all-state).

During the club season the last laugh came when Erika didn’t make the team for Alamo but made the roster for Texas Tornados Nike. There, she has played a key role on the outside and as libero in the Tornados’ drive to the Tour of Texas championship, an Open berth at the upcoming national championships and the season-long #1 ranking as the state’s top team.

“Funny how it all worked out,” she says with a laugh.

“Adding Erica to the team was a no-brainer. I knew she had great ball control and tremendous power in her attack,” says Tornados coach Chuck Schneider. “She fit in perfectly. She has been an amazing asset to our team and she has made huge contributions to our success. The entire team loves her.”

www.arcticferret.us

Adding Erika to the Texas Tornados roster was a "no brainer" says coach Chuck Schneider.

That comes as no surprise to her high school coach, April Fricke.

“Erika is the type of person you want to build an entire program around,” Fricke told sasports.com during the high school season. “She’s the type of person who gets the job done and doesn’t showboat about it.”

Living in San Antonio and playing for a club in Houston means Erika had to give up her senior season of high school basketball. It also means that twice a week she drives two and a half hours each way to practice.

This fall Erika will take the court for Louisiana Lafayette, but first there is the matter of one last chase for a national championship at the upcoming JOs in Houston. She’s no stranger to the national championships. This will be her seventh straight national tournament, dating back to when she was 12. But she can be excused if the long drives from San Antonio to Houston have left her a little confused.

“We really want to play well and win a national championship in our home town,” she says. Once she realizes what she’s said she starts laughing. “We’ll I guess it’s not really my home town. It’s my second home town. But you know what I mean.”

A few weeks ago - between the long drives - Erika took time to look back on her high school and club career.

Were you always a volleyball player?

I started playing when I was 10 or 11 years old. I had a good friend who was coaching and always wanted me to play volleyball.

Erika's biggest fan is little sister Alexis who went to her first volleyball tournament when she was 2 weeks old.

Have you always had power?

I was tall for my age when I was young. I had a lot of power but I didn’t know what to do with it. About two years ago I began to get it under control.

So when did you decide you wanted to concentrate on volleyball?

When I was about 12 I quit dance to concentrate on volleyball. I played for Mission City 15s when I was only 13. I played there for three years then switched to River City for two years. Then I played a Bexar County for two years and I played for Alamo last year.

So how does someone from San Antonio end up playing for a Houston club like Texas Tornados?

I didn’t make the team (for Alamo) this year so I decided to go tryout for the Tornados. I wasn’t seriously thinking about making the team but tryouts went great.

How long is the drive?

It’s two and a half hours each way. In the beginning my parents drove me and I did homework or slept. But then I started driving myself and I listen to music or talk on the phone.

The two-and-a-half hour drives to practice meant that Erika had to give up her senior year of basketball.

Do you make all the practices?

I make them all unless I have a test or something like that.

Did you know any of the players before?

I knew of Karen (Morgan of Houston Episcopal) because of high school.

So how did a bunch of Houston girls react to someone from San Antonio being on their team?

They were very nice and excited. We clicked really well. I’m glad it turned out like it did because I’m having a blast.

So let’s talk about the high school season. Everyone knows about St. Michael’s and you had them on the schedule. Was beating them a big goal?

We really wanted to beat St. Michael’s and we really wanted to repeat as state champions.

What was the highlight of the season?

I think it was beating St. Michael’s. It was really exciting. There were so many people in the gym. It was packed and everyone played so hard.

Any disappointments?

I think the loss to (4A power) Boerne. We could have won the second game.

Erika and her Saint Mary's Hall teammates celebrate a tournament championship. The team won three state titles in four years.

You played four years for a private school, which doesn’t get the publicity that the public schools get. Did you ever wish you had played for a public school team (Erika would most likely have played for Judson or Clemons)?

Sometimes I thought about that. But I love my coach (April Fricke). And it was special just to see how we progressed and worked our way up.

How about the club season. Any highlights?

Definitely beating Club Z. We knew they were one of the top teams in the nation and we were ready. We were prepared to prove ourselves.

So do you have any superstitions we need to know about?

On the court I always wipe my shoes. And I like to take a certain number of bounces before I serve.

Did you have a hero growing up?

I always loved Gabrielle Reece. It was exciting when I met her. She was my hero.

Erika was born on Father’s Day 1986 so "we knew she would be special,” says her dad, Dennis, pictured above with his daughter 18 years later.

What about role models?

My parents. They always sacrificed for me and pushed me, even if I didn’t always agree with them.

Are there any misconceptions people have about you?

People think I’m always happy, but I am very aggressive too. I’m very competitive and I want to win.

How about the college decision? How did you decide on Louisiana Lafayette?

I actually didn’t think I would like it before I visited. I really liked Georgia Southern because I fell in love with Atlanta and Georgia at nationals. But once I visited (Louisiana Lafayette) I really liked the coach and the girls on the team.

Your high school career is over and a club career that started when you were 12 is about to come to an end. What are your thoughts?

It’s a little sad, but I am ready to start another chapter in my life.

So what advice would you give to young girls who want to grow up to be like Erika Castro?

Work hard at everything. Don’t settle for less than your best. It’s always good to play with better players. It’s not always good to be best player on your team. It’s better to challenge yourself.