Grapevine senior, who beat childhood leukemia, stars for high school volleyball team
Alea Lastinger has accomplished a lot with the Grapevine varsity volleyball team.
She’s in her fourth season with the program, is a four-year starter, a multiple all-district member and helped the team to the state semifinals for the first time in 2020.
But none of those things are her biggest feat.
Lastinger is a cancer survivor.
Diagnosed with leukemia when she was 3, Lastinger went through chemotherapy and treatment for over three years until finally beating the disease when she was 6 or 7. She has been in remission since.
“Honestly, since I was diagnosed early, I don’t remember what life was like before I had cancer,” the Grapevine senior outside hitter said. “To me, that was normal. I just remember the good memories. I guess I was so young, I didn’t realize how serious was my situation was.
“You never know what life is going to throw at you. It’s made me have a different outlook. It’s motivated me. I’m a competitive person and want to win, and do the best I can.”
Lastinger recalls going to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, where the doctors made it as pleasant as possible. She said the hospital had the best playroom.
She goes to Cook Children’s, only now in Grapevine, for annual check-ups.
“I go to my oncologist every year, and I go every five years to test my heart,” Lastinger said. “I have a lifetime supply of medicine so they go in and check my heart function. I have loved seeing my doctors ever since I was little. Cook Children’s is so amazing. They always made it a comfortable place.”
Lastinger said she hasn’t had any complications during her remission.
But one tip of advice from her doctors was to be active so Lastinger started to play sports when she was 11. She started playing basketball, softball and soccer up until middle school.
Then volleyball came into the mix.
This was about the time Lastinger started to play with one of her best friends, fellow Grapevine senior Janet deMarrais, who she’s known since kindergarten.
“Alea is truly a leader, not always vocally, but definitely always by example. She’s someone who everyone wishes they had on their team, which makes it all the more fortunate that myself and my team have her around,” deMarrais said. “She never fails to try and better herself, and that reflects back on our team and definitely encourages us to work harder as well.
“I’m super fortunate to have played alongside her for as long as we have, and I wouldn’t be nearly as close to the player that I am today without her.”
When Lastinger got to Grapevine High, it was evident, volleyball was her route.
She’s had the opportunity to work with head coach Robyn Wallace.
“Alea is such a tremendous young lady. Getting to know her over the past four years has helped me gain so much prospective, both as a coach and a parent,” Wallace said. “She is a fierce competitor and her block has been such an asset on defense for us the past three seasons.”
Added Lastinger, “Volleyball has been amazing and has created such great life-long bonds and friendships. I’m so grateful to be a part of this program for four years and I’m blessed to have the season we had last year. We really worked together as one.”
Last year’s group went 18-5 and clinched a spot in the program’s first state semifinal after beating district rival Denton in the Class 5A Region 1 final.
Lastinger finished the season with 163 kills in a limited schedule, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was second on the team. She was also second with a 0.281 hitting percentage.
“Alea is a great leader for our program,” Wallace said. “Her voice on the court has been a constant presence the last three seasons. She has a unique ability to push those around them to be their very best. Her leadership on and off the court will no doubt propel her to a successful future of her choosing. I know she is destined for greatness and I am so blessed to be a part of her journey.”
