This weeks Q&A with Highlander player/manager Jillian Dunlap

THE WOODLANDS, Texas- The Woodlands Lady Highlander volleyball team has been solid for over a decade under head coach Leslie Madison. However, if you were to ask her who her MVP is every year, she more than likely would say her managers are the backbone of the operation. You guessed it...this weeks Q&A is on one of the Lady Highlander managers, Jillian Dunlap. Dunlap keeps herself busy as not a day goes by that she is not involved with school activities. In the spring, she plays for the Lady Highlander lacrosse team.

1: How long have you been the Highlanders Volleyball Manager? How long have you been playing lacrosse for TWHS? Any select teams?

This is my first year being a manager. Along with the other two managers in the program (Taylor Stoute and Courtney Clay), we take stats for each game or videotape and anything else the coaches need help with. I've been playing lacrosse for five years and I play for a select team called Tenacity Texas. I'm a midfielder. I tried a lot of sports when I was younger and wanted something different. Lacrosse is a growing sport but is still considered different because not a lot of people know about it. When I started playing it, I loved it so I stuck with it. We get a lot of support from the school. Also, playing lacrosse for the select team has brought me places I otherwise would not be able to travel to.

2: What college are you hoping to go to? Field of study?

I'm undecided as to where I want to go but I would want to study either the biology field or sports media

3: Playing Lax in college?

I'd like to play in college but playing is secondary to my studies. When I find the right college in regards to academics, I'll see if that is a possibility.

4: What are your plans after college?

You know, that seems so far away so depending on what I do in college will determine what I do after it. If the area I live in has club lacrosse for women, I'd like to continue playing.

5: Do you like TWHS?

I love it! It's a great school because it is very competitive in and out of the classroom.

6: Tell us about the volleyball team from a Manager's perspective:

The team has such great chemistry because everyone gets along really well. The coaches all have excellent athletic backgrounds and their competitive personalities are infectious. Yet, they make it fun for the players and all connected to the program. We are fortunate because not every school out there has the experience that our coaches have.

7: What do you enjoy doing away from volleyball and lacrosse?

I like spending my off time with friends and family. That's what I look forward to by the end of the week.

8: Who is your lacrosse role model?

Jackie Gilbert. She is the first girl from California to make it on the U19 national team and will be playing for USC in college. I like seeing people achieve things that others think aren't possible.

9: Who is your role model in life?

My Brother Alex because he's an incredible big brother. I never hear one bad thing about him because he's just an all around good guy. He's very supportive.

10: Describe how supportive your family is.

My family is very supportive and they encourage me to do things I think aren't possible pushing me to get the most of what I have inside me. They always have my best interest at heart.

A team in any sport is only as good as its support staff and the Lady Highlanders have some of the best support on and off the floor in the state.

As for the lacrosse in Dunlap's life, if you ever attend a girls varsity lacrosse game at TWHS, look for number 10. Or, just look for the athlete that is going 100 miles per hour every second of the game.