Behind the scenes with Oak Ridge volleyball talents Lacye Neeley and Morgan McCoy

THE WOODLANDS, Texas- The Oak Ridge Lady War Eagle volleyball team is enjoying their finest season to date since their very successful coach, Tommie Lee Sledge took the helm after the legendary Janet Tingle retired. If you're a fan of area volleyball you could probably come up with a couple of names from each local team because you read the results and see the stats. The only problem with reading highlights and not attending the games is you are not aware of some of the players on the teams that are just as responsible for all of the success.

Stats only tell a minor part of the whole success story. When the subject is Lady War Eagle volleyball there are two talented players who are the backbone of the operation, middle blockers Morgan McCoy and Lacye Neeley.

To clarify the art of "blocking", you should know that the Chiefs of volleyball must have decided to make a block the single most difficult stat to achieve when they were sitting around their Algonquin Roundtable. To earn a block, a player must block the ball but then the ball must land on the opposing teams floor without it touching an opposing a player. Whereas, a server can be awarded an ace even if the ball hits an opposing player if the statistician feels the serve was unreturnable. Also, a player gets credit for a kill even if the spike hits an opposing player. So, don't be fooled when you see in the game stats that these two aggressive players only had four and five blocks respectively. If it wasn't for human backboards, Neeley and McCoy redirecting about a hundred shots, the Lady War Eagles would be a very different team.

Seeing as these two talented individuals play an unsung position, lets look into the worlds of Oak Ridge high school seniors, Morgan McCoy and Lacye Neeley Q&A style:

How long have you been playing volleyball and what select team do you play for?

McCoy: I’ve been playing volleyball since I was 7 when my mom coached our YMCA team. It wasn’t until a few years later that I knew about club volleyball, and then was recruited to play at Xtreme which is where I remained for the next five years. This past year I made the transition to the Woodlands Wave.

Neeley: I've been playing eight years and my select team is the Woodlands Wave.

What College are you hoping to attend and what will be your field of study?

McCoy: I’m actually planning to start off my first two years at Lone Star so I can stay close to home and get the basics out of the way. Then, I plan on transferring to SHSU to study Early Childhood Education Pre K-6 grade.

Neeley: I am hoping to attend Wharton Junior College and study Kinesiology.

Do you plan on playing in college?

McCoy: I’ve actually recently decided to not play in college. I’m having surgery on my knee later in the year after the school season and it would be a tough recovery. Besides that, I really am excited to focus more on my studies and pursue a career in teaching!

Neeley: Yes, I plan on playing in college as it has always been my dream.

What are your plans after college?

McCoy: My plans after college are to be a 1st-2nd grade teacher at an elementary school and maybe even help coach volleyball on the side. Having a family and being involved with sports are important in my life and if I could find a way to do both that would be awesome.

Neeley: Besides getting "the real job", I hope to also coach volleyball at any level.

What do you like about Oak Ridge high school?

McCoy: I love Oak Ridge High School because my mom and older brother went there before me. It makes me feel like I’m walking through time every day following their footsteps. I believe Oak Ridge is the best because we have so many different cultures and types of people. We don’t have to be afraid of being our own person or what other people will think. Oak Ridge is our home and the War Eagles are a family. We have so much school spirit and we back each other up in everything. Everyone from the staff to the students are all so supportive. We may not win every game in every sport or every competition but we’re always striving for improvement and give all our hearts can give so the “underdogs” come out on top. We’re so much more than just our stereotype of “jokeridge.”

Neeley: Oak Ridge is filled with a lot of school spirit with great teachers and friends. Our principal, Mr Johnson does a super job keeping the school on track. My Asst Principal, Mr Gorka is someone who is always there to help. Ther are so many special people at Oak Ridge that have helped me grow into the person and player I am today.

Describe the team's chemistry:

McCoy: Our team chemistry is great, especially among our senior group. We’re seven seniors strong this year and it’s our time to come out on top. We’ve been working for the past four years and throughout our program, we’ve grown. Not only growing out of being the “underdogs”, but we also have so much depth within us and really are a family. We even have team dinners the night before game day, and it’s such a good time to learn more about each other and bond as a team. Oak Ridge has such a diverse group of players, and we’ve proven over the years how versatile we can be. This year more than ever the other schools don’t know what’s coming or how strong we’ve become. We’re constantly working on new things, getting faster, better and making smarter choices. Coach Sledge especially helps with being our leader, our guide. She helps us stay accountable, rights our wrongs, and come together as a team.

Neeley: The team chemistry is awesome. We are one big family and we work together both on and off the court. I've been playing with several of my teammates since junior high school. Coach Sledge and all of our coaches are wonderful. They are determined, competitive and helpful. They push us out of our comfort zones to help us meet our full potential. They are great role models.

What do you enjoy doing outside of volleyball?

McCoy: Aside from volleyball, volunteering at our local animal shelter (MCAS) is definitely one of my favorite things to do. I’ve always been an animal lover and have such a soft spot for them It breaks my heart when people abandon or abuse their pets. They don’t have a voice, they can’t tell you it hurts or what’s wrong. I like to try and be that comforting voice for them, help them when they’re probably at their lowest in that shelter by themselves and do as much as I can!

Neeley: I enjoy spending time with my family, watching volleyball on TV with my dad and riding horses.

Who is your volleyball role model?

McCoy: My role model for volleyball probably has to be my mom. I know she played in high school and everything was so different compared to how it’s played now. However, she was the one who first said I should try playing and who helped me get started.

Neeley: Hailey Eckerman and Bailey Webster. They play for the University of Texas.

Who is your life role model?

McCoy: My role model for life can’t be anyone other than our God. I’ve been so much more active in church these last few years, and was even baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior this past February. My life has changed so much between all the amazing brothers and sisters I’ve gained in life. All the support and comfort I now have with life is attributed to God. I don’t hesitate to turn to him for help or to read over the bible to guide me when I’m struggling. I know I’m far from perfect, but I strive to be the best person I can be. He did it all for me, so I just want to give it all to Him.

Neeley: My sister, Lauryn. She is always there for me and is someone I can go to and talk about anything.

Describe how supportive your family is:

McCoy: My family will always be my #1 support team and my biggest fans. Not a second after we’ve finished a match they’re running over and ready to give me feedback. Even if I’m on the bench I can look up to them for comfort, or maybe they’ll even give me a little sign back. When I’m down at my lowest and when I’m up in the clouds, they’re so supportive and stand by me every step of the way. The great thing about my parents is we can give each other advice and help each other in trying to make the best decisions and hold each other accountable. We’re the Real McCoy’s and we’re a team. They’re my best friends, and no words can ever begin to express how much they truly mean to me.

Neeley: My family is very supportive of me and my love for volleyball. They are always in the stands to cheer me on and by my side with every decision I make. They have always encouraged me to do my best both on and off the court. No matter what I need whether it has to do with school, helping me choose a college or just needing to talk I can count on my family to be there for me. My family is very close and I love that. They have been helping me since day one to meet my dream of one day playing volleyball in college. As my mom always says, "Your family is your biggest fan" and that is something I know I can always count on.

Needless to say, Coach Sledge thinks the world of these two athletes.

"Morgan and Lacye don't get near as much credit as they should. They both work extremely hard and are in every defensive play. My two middles have to be aggressive and they fill this role perfectly. They are excellent leaders as well."

When you attend a Lady War Eagle volleyball game, check out the two middles. They'll be the ones absorbing would-be kills for the team who have great stories to tell. Perhaps the stats won't reflect just how great of an impact they have on their team, but you'll know the real story from here on out.