Wood to Play in Volleyball All-Star Game

BY NORM BETZ –

Mena High School graduate, and four-year Ladycats starter, Rachael Wood, has been selected to play in the 2015 Arkansas High School Coaches Association Volleyball All-Star game, as a member of the West All-Stars. The All-Star game will be played on June 24^th at the Farris Center on the University of Central Arkansas campus, with the first serve scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Wood graduated from Mena in May of 2015 and is looking forward to putting on the Ladycats uniform one more time.

“It is an incredible honor to be playing in the All-Star game,” said Wood. “I’m so grateful to have the opportunity!”

The AHSCA Volleyball East vs. West All-Star game is made up of 15 players on each team, from five different Arkansas Athletic Association classifications. The West All-Stars will be made up of: two players from 3A, three players from 4A (Wood and two players from Berryville High School), two players from 5A, and four players from both 6A and 7A.

“I’m very happy for Rachael,” said Mena Ladycats head volleyball coach Brad Lyle. “She’s a great player, easy to coach and a very hard worker.”

Wood, a member of the 2014-15 4A State Championship team, talked about her career at Mena High School. “Playing for Mena has been the most incredible experience of my life,” explained Wood. “I became a part of a family, one I will never forget.”

The Mena Ladycats won it all this past year for the first time in school history and Wood was proud to be a part of that accomplishment. “My most memorable moment would have to be winning the State Championship and making school history,” exclaimed Wood. The Ladycats defeated Shiloh Christian in four games (25-21, 25-11, 15-16, 25-20) to capture the 4A State Title.

Coach Lyle discussed how deserving Wood is to participate in this All-Star game, talking about how she did whatever he asked for the betterment of the team. “I asked Rachael to switch positions heading into her senior year,” explained Lyle. “Not only did she not complain about the change, but she learned the position quickly and excelled.”

Wood racked up several awards during her four-year career at Mena High School. Wood was selected to 1st team All-Conference both her sophomore and junior year. During Wood’s senior year, she was selected MVP at the Paris Lady Eagles Invitational, named to the Ladycat Classic All-Tournament Team, named All-State, named to the All-State Tournament Team, and finally to play in the 2015 AHSCA All-Star Game.

Despite the fact that Wood has been invited as an individual to play in the All-Star game, she was quick to recognize her coaches and Ladycats teammates.

“Coach Lyle is an incredible coach,” said Wood. “He did everything in his power to become a more aggressive and active coach when we asked him, and it truly changed our team for the better!”

As for her teammates, Wood spoke of the family-like team atmosphere that they lived by throughout the season. “My teammates are some of the most caring people I’ve ever been around,” said Wood. “When we played together, we played for each other, not ourselves. I’m blessed to have them, as well as Coach Lyle and Coach Foster, in my life.”

Wood, the daughter of Larry and Sherry of Mena, plans to attend Rich Mountain Community College for a year before transferring to another college or university. Wood has one brother, 21 year-old, Daniel.

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