Grapevine volleyball leaders buying into new coach’s style

For any new head coach, one of the most important steps to take in the adjustment period is to ensure the team leaders are in your corner.

When Whitney Woody took over the Grapevine volleyball program, she sought out and built a rapport with several key figures, including senior libero and three-year starter Madison Lawler.

For a team that’s coming off a historic season like the Lady Mustangs did and then changed coaches, there could be some reluctance to adapting to styles. However, Woody and Lawler struck a bond that should help in the transition from Kori Cooper, who left in January for Cedar Park.

“In the sense of starting over, you want to create a good relationship and you want to have a feeling sense of trust,” Woody said. “Madison is coachable and very receptive to information. She has a great attitude. We got off on the right foot.”

Lawler’s presence in the back row and with this team is going to be one of the factors to Grapevine’s attempt to reach the 2016 Class 5A state tournament in November in Garland. With seven returning starters, the experience is there.

However, there are some differences in the way Cooper coached this team and the way Woody will coach this team. Experienced teams like this one will get the benefit of the doubt. After all, Woody knows that after she coached against her alma mater in the 5A Region I area playoff this past October.

“I think we picked up on their styles,” Lawler said. “[Woody] is more laid back. She will let us figure it out on the court. But I think with all of us being together for several years, she trusts us. The big thing is to make sure that we keep things together if we run into a period of problems.”

At first glance, Woody’s positioning of the libero may not be noticeable. Lawler will be situated a little differently. The focus is on an area to protect. But the key is that there will be a line of sight so she can relay information to her teammates. The libero is the hub of communication, especially when it comes to defense.

“My serve receive philosophy is a little different than [Cooper],” Woody said. “But when Madison stepped on to the floor, she picked up on it and executed it pretty quickly. The way we set up will keep the opposing teams on their feet as much as possible.”

Lawler (5-9) said she and her teammates have kept the motivation of last year’s stunning loss to Canyon Randall in the Region I finals alive throughout the offseason. It hasn’t preyed on them. However, they’ve used the disappointment to work and ensure there won’t be a repeat. Grapevine will be a District 8-5A favorite and viewed as a state title contender.

Lawler enjoyed a solid club season with her spring/summer team and beach team and parlayed those into a verbal commitment to the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Given her height, she could play either libero or outside hitter.

“I fell in love with the situation there when I was going through their camp,” Lawler said. “I have family in Biloxi, so it all made sense. But right now, I’m ready to help us accomplish something this fall.”

This story was originally published August 2, 2016 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Grapevine volleyball leaders buying into new coach’s style."