Convenience Big Store: Nationally ranked Grand Oaks volleyball assisted by a selfless Audrey Terry

October 5, 2023

Grand Oaks senior Audrey Terry plans to switch to libero in college. For now, she sets up dominant Grizzly offense.

Every match, Audrey Terry goes out and does what she can to help nationally ranked Grand Oaks volleyball.

The 5-foot-6 senior plans to play libero in college due to her size and natural talent for the position.

Terry has been a setter since she was eight years old, but recently transitioned to libero on her club team. Grand Oaks had a continued need for a quality setter this season and Terry has filed that role nicely.

As the Grizzlies start ramping up for postseason play at the end of the month, Terry continues to provide an offense full of superstars the best sets she can put up.

"It's very hard," said Terry, who averages 7.1 assists per set for a Grizzlies team boasting a .495 kill percentage and .363 hitting percentage. "Even now, I can get it all mixed up sometimes. They all like different heights, different speeds, but you just learn and know. They're all pretty good at adjusting, no matter what I put up there."

Grand Oaks, which is currently 37-1 with an 11-0 mark in District 13-6A, has a key home match Friday against The Woodlands.

Three things to watch

Led by Reaves: The Lamar Texans are off to their best start in a decade. Quarterback Jordan Reaves is a big reason why. Reaves, who's waited his turn to lead the Texans offense and overcame an injury his junior year, is leading a Lamar offense that is averaging 45 points per game. Lamar is in the driver's seat for the District 18-6A title.

Ram tough: Previously the offensive coordinator, Tristen Randle officially became the Waltrip head coach on Aug. 21. The Rams enter Friday's key District 9-5A Division I contest with Madison with three straight shutouts. Waltrip is led by senior running back Jaylen Middleton, who has 63 carries for 778 yards with 12 touchdowns.

Take it to the house: North Shore wide receiver Christopher Barnes is tough to stop. The North Texas commit started last Friday's game against C.E. King by catching a 58-yard pass to break things open on the fourth play. Barnes is 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds with plenty of speed. He's a precise route runner and always threat in the open field.

Note to coaches: Submit scores and stats on game nights by emailing hssports@houstonchronicle.com.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Rob Tate, Deputy High School Sports Coordinator

rtate@houstonchronicle.com

Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Dickinson volleyball player Samantha Lloyd, who was voted Girls Athlete of the Week. Lloyd registered a season-high 21 kills, along with 13 digs, two blocks, an ace and an assist in a five-set win against Clear Creek.

Congratulations to Jersey Village water polo player Ryan Orsak, who was voted Boys Athlete of the Week. Orsak had a big week in the pool, collecting 11 goals, three assists and 11 steals in victories against Cypress Woods and Cy-Fair.

Check Monday's newsletter for a new set of candidates.

Shout out

Cypress Springs coach Oji Fagan has been at the controls of a big turnaround for the football program.

A 5-0 record is the best start in program history after the Panthers edged Cypress Ranch last week.

After going 6-14 the past two seasons, the Panthers are rallying around Fagan, a third year coach who came from the staff at Fort Bend Marshall.

The Panthers are averaging 41.2 points per game entering Saturday's game against Cypress Lakes.

Stat of the day

3,309: The amount of rushing yards in the varsity career of Magnolia standout Hunter Andrews. Andrews has been the feature back for the Bulldogs since near the beginning of sophomore year. Andrews, at 6-foot-2 and nearly 220 pounds, verbally committed to Utah over the summer and plans to convert to linebacker for the Utes.