Page 8 - Sports
thesouthtexan.com
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Blocks Record Holder, National Champion
Hutchison heads into last Beach Volleyball season as a Javelina PLASERAE JOHNSON Sport Editor She’s thankful she chose joining the volleyball team over band when both opportunities presented themselves in middle school. “I started playing volleyball in the seventh grade. I was going to do band over volleyball. My friends convinced me to do athletics instead, and I fell in love with it, “ said Haley Hutchison, senior and middle blocker for the Javelinas volleyball teams. Because of her choice to become an athlete, she’s created memories she’ll never forget – like becoming the Block Record holder and winning the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II National Championship with the beach volleyball team last year. She gained the block record when she made her 487th block during the semifinals of the conference tournament against Texas A&M University-Commerce. “It was awesome [to get the record]. We were playing great and it was a huge success for me. After having positions changed, I didn’t think I could get it, but I did any-
way,” she said. Head coach Tanya Allen said the accomplishments are well deserved. “It’s been great having her on the team. She’s been a good player for four years and she’s definitely improved a lot over the course of that four years. Obviously, she’d made a huge impact on the program. She’s surpassed my expectations,” Allen said. She’s contributed to Javelina volleyball and beach volleyball for four years. Hutchison has just wrapped up her last indoor season as a Javelina. She is now heading into her last beach volleyball season, and she has high expectations for the outdoor season. “I think last [outdoor] season we learned that we can compete with D1 universities. We can compete and beat D1 schools. This year, I want to make it to nationals and win it again! I also think we can rank national among D1 schools, too,” Hutchison said. Assistant Coach Joseph Morales commented on the way Hutchison stepped up immediately when she first stepped on Javelina courts. “I think it’s been great having her on the team. When we recruited her,
she’s one of the ones that came in and she played middle for the majority of her career here and she was one of those players that had to come in and step up right away,” Morales said. If there is one word to describe Hutchison, it has to be work ethic, Coach Morales said. “She’s done a phenomenal job and one thing is, she always worked hard for what she’s accomplished. Everything has been work ethic for her. She wasn’t the most athletic in the gym or the one that jumped the highest, or the fastest, but she persevered and worked for everything she has,” Morales said. Hutchison described one of the most memorable moments in her career as a Javelina. “Beating Angelo State in the conference tournament this past year and competing really hard with Commerce right after [was a great memory]. [Angelo] was at the top of our conference during that game. We lost a lot of players, but everyone played hard, no animosity, we all came together and played really well,” she said. Hutchison’s biggest motivation is her mom because she always helps her to be better on and off the court.
Photo courtesy of javelinaathletics.com
Haley Hutchison’s bio photo Both coaches wish her luck in her future endeavors and plan on dominating with her in the last beach volleyball season of her career. “I want to wish her the best in whatever she does. I want her to succeed, to continue her work ethic. I know she’s going to have good things to come in her future,” Morales said.
My How the Tables Have Turned
Dallas Cowboys are predicted to Win in the NFC East Division soon AARON MONREAL Sports Reporter The Dallas Cowboys have turned their losing season completely around. My prediction is the Dallas Cowboys will win the division of the NFC East. There are several reasons why I believe the Cowboys will win the division. First is because of the competition that they are competing against. Currently, the standings of the NFC East Division place the Cowboys and
Washington Redskins both at first, Philadelphia Eagles at next (5-6), and New York Giants last (3-8). The Giants are dead last and have shown no signs of any chance of salvaging the season and are out of the playoffs. The Eagles are suffering from what is known as the “Super Bowl hangover,” even though all players have relatively stayed intact with Michael Bennett being added to the defensive roster; they are a roller coaster of a team. My second reason is that the Redskins have lost their wild factor
in Alex Smith. Starting out, the team looked very promising to win the division with ease. However, the team suffered a huge loss in Smith, the starting quarterback had a horrific injury. Smith broke his tibia and fibula in his right leg. ESPN senior writer, Adam Schefter said Smith runs the possibility of not coming back. “Alex Smith’s return is not certain,” he said during an interview on ESPN. Backup quarterback Colt McCoy is no newcomer, but he is not the type of player that can take a team to the playoffs. The final reason the Cowboys look
great, which is the main reason, is the addition of wide receiver Amari Cooper. Since the Cowboys traded a first round pick for Cooper from the Oakland Raiders, he has continued to grow and make a huge impact on the team, especially after the Thanksgiving game against the Redskins in which Cooper had 180 receiving yards. Before the trade, the Cowboys had no star receiver that could draw attention from the secondary. With Cooper improving from weekto-week and opening up the passing game, he can partner with Ezekiel Elliot and they will win the division.