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    When the Friendswood Lady Mustangs began the 2007 volleyball season, head coach Jerry Linch laid out a three-step plan for the season.
    One, win the District 23-4A crown. Two, repeat as the Class 4A Region III champion. Three, return to the state volleyball tournament and return home with the state championship.
    Friendswood accomplished all three steps, but came up a little short in the state title game as Waco-Midway won the championship. Despite the disappointment, the Lady Mustangs were one of only two teams still playing in the state finals while all other 4A teams were at home.
    When a team is successful -- it is only natural that individual honors will come to the players who were key in the team's success.
    The Texas Sports Writers Association recently announced their All-State teams and Friendswood placed a school-record five girls on the top three teams honoring the outstanding volleyball players from all across the state.
    Senior outside hitter Whitney Rhoden and senior setter Jenny Brekke were both named to the 4A All-State first-team.
    Rhoden, who signed a letter-of-intent to continue her education and playing career at Texas State in San Marcos, was a first-team All-District 23-4A pick while being named to the 4A state All-Tournament team. Rhoden has also been selected to play on the Class 4A-5A All-Star team in the summer with the best 4A-5A volleyball players in the state.
    For the season, Rhoden had 381 kills, 10 assists, 76 digs, 13 solo blocks, and 37 assisted blocks.
    Brekke was a first-team All-District 23-4A selection and was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State squad. Brekke was also named to the All-Galveston County first-team. She set a FHS school single-season record with 1,169 assists. She also had 74 kills, 101 aces, 255 digs, 15 solo blocks, and 53 assisted blocks.
    Senior outside hitters/middle blockers Christie Dorch and Jessie Hays were named to the TSWA All-State second-team.
     Dorch was voted District 23-4A "Offensive Player of the Year" and was a first-team All-Galveston County pick while being named to the All-State first-team by the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Dorch with continue her education and playing career for the University of New Hampshire.
    Dorch had 383 kills, 39 assists, 22 aces, 102 digs, 40 solo blocks, and 88 assisted blocks.
    Hays was a District 23-4A first-team selection while also making the All-District All-Academic team. She was named to the All-Galveston County first-team while also being named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State first-team. She was also named to the TGCA All-Academic team.
    Hays will continue her education and playing career for the University of Central Arkansas. She had 349 kills, 25 assists, 85 aces, 346 digs, 17 solo blocks, and 66 assisted blocks.
    Senior libero Brannon O'Neill was named to the All-State third-team. She was the District 23-4A "Defensive Player of the Year" and named to the 23-4A first-team. O'Neill was selected to the 23-4A All-Academic team while being named as an All-Galveston County second-team member. O'Neill was also placed on the TGCA All-Academic team.
    O'Neill had 515 digs, 10 kills, 35 assists, 14 aces and holds the career dig record at Friendswood HS.
    There were other Lady Mustangs who were honored on the All-District 23-4A teams.
    Brittany Hays was selected as a 23-4A first-team member and earned honorable mention on the All-Galveston County team.
    Charlotte Mata was named to the All-District second-team and the All-Academic squad.
    Laura Walker was also named to the All-District second-team and the All-Academic team.
    The play of these outstanding girls saw the Lady Mustangs advance to the 4A state finals while ending the 2007 season with a sparkling 38-7 mark to finish as the No. 2 Class 4A state ranked team.
    Friendswood head coach Jerry Linch was named District 23-4A "Coach of the Year" and was also among four coaches who were named as finalist for the TSWA "Coach of the Year" award.