Casey Friesen: Austin area Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week

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The move up from 4A to 5A has been a challenge for Hendrickson (Pflugerville, Texas) volleyball team.

But with 5-foot-9 senior Casey Friesen running the show, the Hawks are in good hands.

Friesen had two big matches last week, combing for 64 assists, leading Hendrickson (24-11) into a tie with district cousin Pflugerville with 6-2 district records.

For her strong play and team success, Friesen has been selected the Austin Area Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.

In a surprising 25-19, 28-26, 25-18 sweep at highly-ranked Round Rock, Friesen had 23 assists and nine digs, helping not only spread the ball to a host of hitters but also leading a stellar defensive effort.

Anna Lee Koester, Katelyn Lochner and Zoey Hanrahan combined for 29 kills.

"This is an amazing win – one of the biggest we have ever had," Hendrickson coach Carrie Sulak told the Pflugerville Flag. "To come in here and sweep the Dragons is just crazy."

Crazier still was a 27-25, 20-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-13 win over Round Rock Westwood two nights later.

Friesen had a season high 41 assists in that match as sophomore Koester had 16 kills and Hanrahan added 12 and Anna Koscielniak and Lauren Muska added eight kills apiece.

Mariah Carlin had a team-high 15 digs and Taylor Padgett and Kelsey Robinson added 10 apiece.

It was a total team victory for the Hawks and Friesen, as usual, distributed the ball around beautifully.

Also a competitive water skier, Friesen missed some games earlier in the season with a sprained ankle. She hopes to play volleyball in college, a game she's played since the sixth grade.

"I really love the competition of the sport and playing together with my teammates," she told the newspaper. "It's is a lot of fun and really exciting. We don't always start fast but we play hard and never quit."

That was definitely the case against Round Rock Westwood.

Even with the jump up in classification, Friesen thinks the Hawks can compete at the highest level.

"We have a core of seniors and several new to varsity players but if we can play as a team, we can make the playoffs," she told the newspaper early in the season.

Judging by how Hendrickson has fared, she's proved to be a prophet.