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Cinco Ranch's Kassie O'Brien
MAGICAL: Cinco Ranch's O'Brien one for the ages
Ask anyone around the volleyball landscape from high school coaches to elite club directors, who is the best volleyball player in Houston?
It’s Cinco Ranch senior Kassie O’Brien
She is an uber-talent, but like any great setter… she makes everyone around her incrementally better.
She’s Tom Brady, wrapped in Magic Johnson.
For those who don’t know Magic Johnson, he is the best point guard in the history of the NBA with a Hollywood smile and lovable personality.
Everyone’s bestie with a killer competitive side… that’s Kassie O’Brien.
The 6-foot quarterback led Cinco Ranch to the State Final last season, before falling to juggernaut Grand Oaks. The awards came pouring in as expected for the University of Kentucky-commit throughout the offseason, and her game has only sharpened since we’ve last seen her.
So, now what?
…
VYPE: After reaching the State Final a year ago, what’s the mentality moving forward?
O’BRIEN: “This year is going to look a little different, just from the aspect that we only have six returning varsity players. I don’t want to just settle from last year. I think we still have lots of talent in this program. It's going to take plenty of determination, teamwork, and staying positive if we want to make another deep run in the playoffs, which I do believe we can do again. You just never know, right?”
VYPE: Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
O’BRIEN: “My parents. They were the ones that laid the foundation and taught me everything I know today. They are always supporting and pushing me to be the very best. With my Mom always setting such an amazing example on what it takes to be successful and my Dad teaching me many valuable lessons, I firmly believe that they have shaped me into the person I am.”
VYPE: What is about Kentucky that made you love the place?
O’BRIEN: “From the minute I stepped onto campus, I fell in love and could picture myself there. The campus is beautiful, but the coaches were even more welcoming and made me feel at home. The interaction between the team and coaches and the culture of the program was huge for me. Everyone was so nice and everything aligned with what I wanted in a school and program.”
VYPE: What’s the most cherished item you have and why?
O’BRIEN: “My scrapbook that my mom made me when I was younger. It has so many pictures from when I was just born to going into kindergarten. This is very special to me because I can look back at all the pictures and it reminds me of my childhood. It brings back so many memories and even some moments I don’t even remember. It is something I will keep forever and hopefully show my own family one day.”
VYPE: Who would be your celebrity dream date?
O’BRIEN: “Gavin Casalegno.”
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Laci Gratkowski, St. John XXIII
2020 St. John XXIII Volleyball Preview: Presented by Athlete Training + Health
Welcome to the 2020 volleyball season. What a weird offseason it was for everyone. No club tournaments to travel to, limited training available but what that means is everyone should be fresh for the 2020 campaign.
VYPE previewed 10 private school teams in this year's VYPE Houston Volleyball Preview. Here is one of the Dark Horses - the St. John XXIII Lions.
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St. John XXIII Lions
The Lions of St. Johns XXIII made school history in 2019 reaching the Regional Round, before losing to Concordia Lutheran. The ring leader is senior setter Blair Moreland, who earned first-team, all-state honors. Her most lethal weapon is Laci Gratkowski (Texas A&M- Corpus Chrisi-commit), who was an honorable-mention selection. Gratkowski is one of the most powerful hammers in the state. She will be joined by Bridget Thompson on the outside as a potent one-two punch in Class 6A District 4. This is the year for the Lions to become the pride of the Houston-area private school landscape.
About Athlete Training + Health
Athlete Training + Health's mission is to use best practices of health and performance to provide a world-class training environment for active adults and athletes of all ages and abilities. Our multi-field, state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with advanced pro-style weight rooms and dedicated areas for adult and youth athletes. ATH's highly-skilled coaches deploy training strategies that elevate – regardless of age or ability – athletes' performance to the highest level through consistent evaluation and education. A key component of ATH is its forward-thinking approach to collaboration with hospital systems, professional sports teams, universities and independent school districts to raise the bar for health and performance training. For more: www.athletetrainingandhealth.com.