BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
After earning first-team all-district honors as a freshman libero last season, Sharyland High’s Caleigh Hausenfluck has shown an even better ability to read offenses during her sophomore year.
The Rattlers’ leader in digs for the second consecutive season, Hausenfluck is a key factor keeping Sharyland in the thick of the playoff race at 5-2 in District 31-5A.
“Great kid. Great work ethic. Fearless. That’s what you want out of a libero,” Sharyland High coach Raul Castillo said. “You give her a ball near her, and she’s going to dig you.”
Coming into the program last season after an extensive history of club and travel ball, Hausenfluck needed only about a week to lock down the starting libero job.
She’s had a stranglehold on the position ever since, and Castillo called her a natural in the role.
Although she doesn’t have the typical size of a hitter, Hausenfluck has also shown the ability to play any role on the court, if necessary.
“If she’s gotten better on anything, it’s reading where the hitter is going to go, what our defense lines up with, and where to go and where not to go,” Castillo said. “Defensively, she’s the strongest girl.”
DEFENSIVE STALWART
When Donna High coach Cindy Viesca needed a new starter at libero coming into last season, she thought Kara Yanez might fit the mold because of her aggressiveness and determination.
After a spring and offseason to work on the transition, Yanez earned all-Valley second-team honors last year. She’s had another strong campaign so far in 2015, helping Donna to a 19-5 overall mark, including 6-2 in District 32-5A.
“She’s very determined,” Viesca said. “That helps her defensively to get the ball. She’s always wanting the hitters to come to her, because she wants to get those digs.”
Although she worked as an outside hitter early in her career, Yanez took to the shift quickly, especially after she started to see some success.
Now in her senior year, Yanez once again ranks as Donna’s leader in digs.
“She’s grown a lot,” Viesca said. “She’s become a leader not only on the court, but also off the court. She kind of motivates our younger players.”
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