Senior brings ‘sense of spice’ to Lady Panthers

The Colleyville Heritage volleyball team is young this season, but went 13-4 through its first 17 games and appears to be positioned to make a run for a playoff spot in 2016.

Jordan Lackey is certainly doing her part for the Lady Panthers, and coach Bri Barker-Groth said that there are so many attributes Lackey possesses, it is difficult to narrow her contributions to one or two areas.

“Jordan brings a sense of spice to the team,” Barker-Groth said. “She is a major point-scorer for us and continues to play well in big games. She brings a senior leadership that this young team needs. We call her our thermostat because she sets the tone for us in every way.”

Lackey said the leadership role is one she takes very seriously on the team, especially considering the paucity of senior players.

“So far, our team is doing pretty well,” Lackey said. “We are a young team (there are only three seniors), which has been a challenge. But we are getting through it and everyone is playing their part.

“This season, I am trying to lead out on the court because I feel as if some of the girls are afraid to make mistakes. It’s OK to make a couple mistakes, but if too many are being made, then I will tell everyone to step it up.”

The Lady Panthers have done just that so far, leading District 8-5A in win-loss record for the preseason, and Lackey said her main objective for this season is to focus on volleyball and keeping up her grades.

The Colleyville Heritage OH/DS said she really pushed herself during the offseason to improve her game all the way around, even at the expense of her social life at times.

“This summer, I played a lot of sand volleyball,” Lackey said. “I was in California for almost three weeks during July, so I didn’t really have much time to hang out with my friends ... I have just been pushing to excel in my volleyball career.”

For the Lady Panthers to have the continued success they have enjoyed thus far and for seasons to come, Lackey said it will take an effort on the part of her and her teammates, along with a commitment to Barker-Groth and her system.

“For the girls to succeed in the upcoming years, some of the younger girls are going to have to learn to step up and lead the team,” Lackey said. “We have a lot of raw talent, but some of the girls don’t know how to use it quite yet. Practice will help that a lot. We need to give 110 percent in practice instead of being lazy and going through the motions. I cannot stress it enough, girls need to listen to Coach.

“She’s been through high school volleyball and knows how it works, so the girls just need to trust her. We have been blessed to have such a great coach for this season and upcoming seasons. I think she can take us a long way, but we just need to listen to her and put our trust in her that she can take us to state.”

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 2:52 PM with the headline "Senior brings ‘sense of spice’ to Lady Panthers."