8 \\  Monday, August 27, 2012
The Daily Cougar
Soccer
Sisters make good pair
Kayla, Aja Walker compel one another to succeed on, off the field MĂłnica Rojas Staff writer
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Aja Walker celebrated from afar last season when her sister Kayla scored her first goal as a Cougar on Oct. 7 against UTEP. Sunday, she celebrated her sister’s game-winning goal against HBU, only this time from the bench. “We were on the same Kayla Walker team in high school and play together very well because we work with each other on and off the field,� Kayla said. “She plays midfield and I usually play up top. She gets me in, and we know what (the other is) going to do.� Having played together since
their mother placed them in the Fun Fair Positive Soccer League at a young age, the sisters have had a lot of practice together. “I got to play with her (before) so we know each other,� Aja said. “We (don’t) have to learn how to work with each other because we already know.� Only 18 months apart and teammates for the majority of their lives, the Walker sisters are close, so much so that they even share a dorm. “We are pretty much the same person,� Aja said. “We do differ a lot on the field because I play midfield. I like to find passes and she likes to get the ball more and run and score. So we do differ there. Other than that, we are pretty much the same.� However, knowing each other so well has its disadvantages. “Sometimes if one of us makes a mistake or something, because we know each other so well, we
will yell at each other,� Aja said. “Usually if someone else messes up we will be like, ‘Oh, good try,’ but because we’re sisters, we’ll be like, ‘Come on, you can do that better.’� Despite being on the same team, the sisters have not been able to play a game together as Aja suffered a leg injury two months ago. “It’s been hard having her sit on the bench,� the sisters’ mother Margaret Walker said. “I know her sister was crushed when it happened. She cried. I’m hoping maybe she’ll be able to play at the end (of the season) but we’ll see how the therapy goes.� For now Aja cheers from the bench and Kayla takes care of her. “I can’t wait to play with her again once her leg heals,� Kayla said. sports@thedailycougar.com
Volleyball
FREE ELECTRICITY Ogletree takes on leadership role Harrison Lee Staff writer
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Oddly enough, the first time Caitlin Ogletree ever visited the University of Houston, she cried. “My mom literally dragged me here on my official visit. It was the only week I didn’t have volleyball,� Ogletree laughed at the memory. From a rather bleak and dreary beginning, she quickly warmed up to the idea of being a Cougar. “I fell in love with UH Athletics and how they were part of a growing program,� Ogletree said. “Now that I am here and I’m getting experience, with academics and athletics, it’s a privilege to be a part of that.� As if falling in love with the school wasn’t good enough, Ogletree has become a key member of the squad, with head coach Kaddie Platt going as far to praise her as a natural born leader. “Her greatest gift is she makes the players around her better,� Platt said. “It doesn’t matter who she’s playing with; her teams always win because she’s a winner.� “She’s absolutely amazing,� said senior Stephanie Nwachukwu. “I love Caitlin; she’s always on fire. She loves volleyball so she makes you want to work so hard just for her and the team. She always pushes me to be better.� Her gung-ho attitude has
The sophomore from Montgomery appeared in 29 matches and led UH in assists (1,215) as the Cougars starting setter. | File photo/The Daily Cougar helped her advance in competitive volleyball. “There’s a huge difference between club play and high school play than coming into Division One,� Ogletree said. “I’ve never realized how much I could push myself.� Along with the freshmen, the University has recruited some coaches as well. “The new coaches are awesome,� Ogletree said. “I feel like they bring a completely different mindset to the game. We’ve learned so many new things.� She’s just as quick to praise her teammates.
“Everyone is becoming a more versatile player. In practice, everyone is almost working on every position. That’s been great for us.� After being named fifth in a pre-season C-USA poll, a lot of pressure rests on Ogletree and her teammates. “That made some of us a little mad,� Ogletree said. “A conference title is a huge goal for us. Definitely a conference title and definitely making it to a tournament have been goals for us, especially for the returning players. You gotta do what you gotta do.� sports@thedailycougar.com