KENDALL DOTSON Fairfield high school Lady Eagles volleyball got into full swing last week with dual matches and a 3- day tournament, and looks to a full season stretching into November.

The Lady Eagles started 2-a-day practices Aug. 2 under the watchful eye of head coach Dennis Johnson who is in his fifth season at FHS.

He is assisted by junior varsity coach Kerry Hand and freshmen coach LaDonna Brackens.

Johnson is carrying 14 players on the varsity squad, 13 on jv and 15 on the frosh team.

The Lady Eagles varsity squad lost eight players to graduation last year, a number of them All- District picks. The 2009 team shared the district championship title and advanced to the bi-district playoff match.

Experience on the 2010 team is provided by a pair of senior students, middle blocker Robin Davis, first team All-District a year ago, and setter Shelby Wickens, an All-District honorable mention pick.

FELICIA LOPEZ-SIM- This year’s squad consists of eight seniors, two juniors and three sophomores.

Senior Olivia Gallegos is a returning varsity spiker who plays outside hitter.

The 17-year-old earned All-Academic honors last season and also is a member of the basketball team, on which she was academic and honorable mention All-District.

She is the daughter of David and Carla Gallegos.

Miss Wickens, setter and right side hitter, is a 4- sport letterman, also competing in track, powerlifting and softball.

In addition to earning volleyball All-District honorable mention last year, she is an academic All- District pick.

Miss Wickens is a region qualifier in track.

Outside school, she enjoys hanging out with friends and swimming.

The 17-year-old is the daughter of Janell Wickens.

Senior Gabby Jackson moves up to the varsity squad this year as a hitter and defensive player.

MELISSA LOPEZ She also runs cross country and track for the Lady Eagles.

Miss Jackson, 17, enjoys running, riding horses and singing.

She is the daughter of Genell and Will Nelms.

Miss Davis plays only volleyball at FHS and is a member of the varsity squad for a third consecutive season.

In addition to making first team All-District last year, she was honorable mention as a sophomore and is an All-District honorable mention pick.

Outside volleyball she is a 2-year state qualifier in Texas High School Rodeo Association breakaway roping.

The 17-year-old enjoys riding horses, roping and rodeo.

She is the daughter of Richard and Marcella Davis.

Filling a back row defensive position for the Lady Eagles this year is senior Felicia Lopez-Simmons.

ASHLEE McGOWAN She also plays softball and was an All-District honorable mention pick last spring.

Other than sports, she is editor of the Eagle Beat school newspaper and enjoys painting, sketching and hanging out with friends.

The 17-year-old is the daughter of Cyndi Simmons.

Senior Erica Flori moves up to the varsity team this season as a defensive back row player.

The 17-year-old plays softball and was selected as second team All-District pitcher in spring, and she runs cross country.

Miss Flori enjoys writing, drawing and criminal justice.

She is the daughter of David and Sylvia Flori.

Joining the varsity team as a setter is senior Mackenzie Wooten.

The 17-year-old also plays tennis at FHS.

Miss Wooten enjoys work, swimming and hanging out with friends.

She is the daughter of Ken and Helen Wooten.

Senior Kendall Dotson joins the varsity squad as an outside hitter.

KATIE BERGER In addition to volleyball, she has been a varsity cheerleader the past two years and is the cheer squad captain.

She enjoys sports, hanging out with friends, swimming and texting.

The 17-year-old is the daughter of Jerry and Lisa Dotson.

Junior Ashlee Mishael McGowan joins the varsity squad as a defensive back row player.

The 16-year-old also runs track for the Lady Eagles.

She enjoys reading, drawing and playing with her younger siblings.

Miss McGowan is the daughter of Becky Mabry- McGowan and Richard and Deniese McGowan.

With one varsity letter under her belt, junior Kathleen Chappell returns as a setter and defensive player for the Lady Eagles.

She also has earned a basketball letter, along with district honorable mention and academic awards, and has earned two letters each in cross country and track.

ERICA FLORI The 16-year-old is the top ranked student in her class.

She enjoys sports, academics, FFA, photography and fishing.

Miss Chappell is the daughter of Gary and Janet Chappell.

Junior Fruncheska Daniels joins the varsity squad as an outside hitter and defensive player.

She also plays basketball and has received academic All-District honors.

Miss Daniels enjoys hanging out with friends, texting and playing sports.

The 16-year-old is the daughter of Michael and Navlet Daniels.

Sophomore defensive player Katie Berger has been awarded the libero jersey this season with the Lady Eagles.

The libero is the top defensive player on a volleyball team.

Miss Berger also runs cross country and track, plays softball and is a cheerleader.

Outside school, she enjoys dancing and hanging out with friends.

KATHLEEN CHAPPELL The 15-year-old is the daughter of Dr. Joseph and Alicia Berger.

Moving up to the varsity squad as a middle blocker is sophomore Amy Lansford.

She also plays basketball and softball, and runs cross country and track for the Lady Eagles.

Miss Lansford enjoys getting on Facebook to chat with friends and family.

The 15-year-old is the daughter of Christa and Larry McCeig, and Todd Lansford.

Sophomore Melissa Lopez joins the varsity team as a strong side hitter on the front row.

She also plays softball and was Miss Teen Freestone County in 2009.

Miss Lopez shows swine at the county and state levels, rides horses and hunts.

The 15-year-old is the daughter of Chuck and Tammy Lopez.
ROBIN DAVIS
GABBY JACKSON
MACKENZIE WOOTEN
SHELBY WICKENS
FRUNCHESKA DANIELS
OLIVIA GALLEGOS
AMY LANSFORD
MEMBERS OF THE 2010 LADY EAGLES freshmen volleyball team are: front l-r, Taylor Gray, Sam Walls, Maria Salazar, Toni Flori, Tiara Tatum and Lauren Knight; back l-r, Taylor Thorne, Haylee Worley, Karonesha Lowery, Xan Bricker, Brooklyn Childs, Kayli Banks, Chelsea McQueen, Madison Alexander and Bre Faughn. Coaching the freshman squad is LaDonna Brackens.
SUITING UP ON THE LADY EAGLES junior varsity volleyball team this season are: front l-r, Kati Gardner, Jillian Peterson and Ashley Kethley; middle l-r, Sarah Sloat, Mikeshia Hudson, Amanda Drake and Kassi Floyd; back l-r, Amanda Missildine, Chelsea Higgins, Bree Bossier, Andrea Griffin, Emelia Adu and Natalie Neill. The jv is coached by Kerry Hand.