Red Pepper

I have to agree with both comments. They are both excellent and successful organizations. Do either of you know who is on the JCJ board? Are they diversified? I know that the OCJ board is pretty much from LCM while a few players are from other schools. Their membership fees are somewhat less than JCJ. While LCM doesn't cut players, they do usually have a practice squad for players not making the regular teams. JCJ has tryouts and selects teams. Both of the clubs rarely recruit players. Don't know how many teams JCJ normally has. OCJ has a large number of teams each year. Vidor had three or four teams when Coach Mathews was there. Don't know if they still have club teams.

Can't seem to rile anyone up with my previous rantings. One more shot. I've always thought that JCJ was a feeder program for Nederland and PNG. They seem to have had more of their ladies on the club teams than all other area schools combined. I've also been told that the JCJ coaches are appointed/approved by the two organizations and are told who to start and who to play which position. I am a fan of JCJ and both of your excellent programs and hope that I don't offend either of you. Can someone straighten me out on this situation. I would also like to know the names of other leagues like JCJ in the area. We can't get top billing on SETXsports if we don't talk. Love HS Volleyball in Southeast Texas.

It's not always about returning Varsity players. If you have established a "Program", you don't have to "Rebuild, you just "Reload". PS: A little luck doesn't hurt.

Nobody does it like LCM. Way to go Coach.

When are coaches able to begin conditioning their teams?

I guess I have the same questions about building/keeping a successful BB Program. In a small school, while it is harder to be fully committed in multi-sports, it is a must that the better athletes play more than one sport. Numbers require it. Different with the larger ones. Some coaches silently encourage an athlete to specialise in one sport or sometimes the ladies just like to play the same sport all year with their friends. Most or all of the local VB coaches are ladies while many of the BB & SB coaches are guys. While I know that the guys are just as knowledgeable as the ladies, I think that lady coaches sometimes are able to relate to the young ladies better than the guys. Few guys really understand VB until they are adults. I thought I knew about VB just by watching my daughter play. Couldn't have been more wrong. I've always said that VB is a more "Lady Like" sport than BB or SB. Probably shouldn't have said that.

I can remember when LCM was an easy win in VB. They have certainly turned around their program to consistently having a winning season. While I don't think that they (their program) are as good as they can be; they really are doing so many great things that most schools would be proud to do. I don't know of any schools that have as many successful feeder programs as LCM. Their success in club VB is just unbelievable. I personally think it is impossible to consistently get in the playoff without at least some of the ladies in club ball every year. Good job Coach.

Pt Neches and Nederland have excelled in Volleyball for as long as I can remember. How do they do it? Are they doing something that other schools simply can't do? What is their secret? Could we simply move the two coaches to another school and get the same results? It's always puzzled me.

Bridge City lost a lot of talent from last season but Coach Mathews will try to field a team that will be competitive with all the other excellent programs in the district. She believes in winning with discipline, superior conditioning and an excellent skills training program. I agree that BC could be in the hunt for a playoff spot, according to how the younger players respond to her system of coaching. A few younger playmakers emerging or an outside hitter transferring to BC to replace Myers wouldn't hurt. OF made a good move with the new coach. Their community is in for better days. Silsbee will always field a competitive team. Don't know much about the other teams in the district.

What does it take to begin and maintain a successful Volleyball Program in Southeast Texas?

Can anyone remember when one of the two weekly VB games were played on Saturday morning. VB didn't have to compete with Southeast Texas Friday night football. Attendance was great. Even the football players attended. AD's usually give more funds to sports that generate more money. Just a VB thought.