Sophomore emerging as leader for Grapevine volleyball team

Symone Wesley has a made a big impact for the Grapevine volleyball team.

The sophomore outside hitter wrapped up the season with 45 aces, 466 kills and 275 points, and her ability on both sides of the ball has not escaped the attention of coach Whitney Woody.

“Symone brings intensity to matches,” Woody said. “She has a tenacious spirit on the floor, which she brings as an all-around player.”

Aside from being one of the top players on the Lady Mustangs volleyball squad this season, Woody said that Wesley is already setting a good example for her teammates.

“Speaking just from the beginning of this season to now, her role has evolved into one with more leadership,” Woody said. “She is learning how to lead her team on and off the floor.”

Wesley, 16, said Grapevine started out kind of slow, but thanks to team chemistry and work ethic has improved dramatically, and said she definitely tries to do her part to help the cause.

“I try to brings a lot of energy and aggression for our team,” Wesley said. “I feel like they rely a lot on me, and if I can continually bring loads of energy and fire up my team others will feed off of it.”

Wesley, who also runs track and plays basketball at Grapevine, said the Lady Mustangs won’t be content with duplicating last season’s success.

“My goal is for us to make it farther than we did last year, so that means going to state since we made it to the regional finals last season,” Wesley said. “I hope to help win Grapevine’s first-ever state championship in volleyball.”

In order to have a long run in the postseason and reach that goal, Wesley said it will take a few things.

“We’ll have to get our middles more involved and speed things up,” Wesley said. “We’ll also need to try new things. But mostly we’ll have to play for each other and put any feelings we have off the court aside and just be in the moment, every point.”

Woody said she looks forward to coaching Wesley in the coming seasons and said she feels certain she will see continued improvement from her outside hitter.

“I expect Symone to continue to grow as a leader on and off the floor,” Woody said. “She has a great respect for her teammates and continues to work to achieve for her team. It is that selflessness that makes Symone such a great player and leader.”

This story was originally published November 2, 2016 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Sophomore emerging as leader for Grapevine volleyball team."