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Moving on to new challenges is part of growing up and developing as an athlete.

On Monday, Tascosa seniors Cristin Curl and Caitlin Higgins signed volleyball scholarships with the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Oklahoma, respectively.

"These two kids have been great ever since I came into this program," Tascosa coach Scott Sandel said. "They're two of the hardest workers on the team, they're great students, and they are also our best volleyball players. Anytime you have good quality kids with the character they have, you're glad to see them go on to the next level."

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Curl, a setter for the Lady Rebels, will be making a position change at the college level as the Lady Bears are planning to have the 5-foot-8 senior to focus on defense as the team's libero.

"I'm excited about the change. I love defense and it's my favorite part of the game," Curl said. "But this is such a great experience and I can't believe it's happened already and that I'm going to be going to college to play a sport that I love so much."

As a setter adjusting to the libero position, Curl will have her work cut out. But the toughest thing may be dealing with the differences in the college game verses the high school game, despite the high quality of play in the Amarillo area.

"I think the biggest difference will be the power of the hitters we will face," Curl said.

Sandel feels the transition will come naturally for Curl.

"She'll play mostly in that libero role and I think that's where she will excel as a volleyball player," he said. "She's very tenacious, plays great defense and has no respect for her body so she'll give it her all when diving for a ball."

Central Arkansas finished its season 24-9 and fifth in the Southland Conference.

I think the biggest difference will be the power of the hitters we will face,"

Reckon they would care if we tailgate before the game?

Amarillo High reached the summit of Texas high school volleyball again this season, winning the Class 5A state championship for the second straight year.

One of the leaders on the front line for the Lady Sandies was Ashley Pylant, the Happy State Bank Scholar-Athlete of the Month for November.

Pylant, a 6-foot middle blocker, was a constant threat at the net all year, and played a key role in the Lady Sandies' postseason run, particularly in the regional semifinals and finals where she collected a team-high 22 kills to help her team return to the state tournament in San Marcos.

"Ashley has been a great player for the Sandies for three years. Ever since she became a starter for us and took that role as a middle blocker, she's been one of the most consistent hitters we've had here," AHS coach Jan Barker said.

"She's been a fantastic strength for us: hitting, blocking and serving, and just her all-around presence on the court."

Pylant, a senior whose favorite subject is math, is ranked 44th in her class and has compiled a 97.25 grade-point average, despite the time and effort she devotes to volleyball.

"It's definitely hard to balance out volleyball and school because volleyball requires so much time," Pylant said. "You just have to be disciplined and do a good job with time management."

Next season, Pylant will be heading east to Conway, Ark., where she will suit up for the Lady Bears at the University of Central Arkansas, which finished 24-9 and fifth in the Southland Conference this season.

"Every player dreams of going to college and playing at the next level," Pylant said. "I went there and fell in love with the school, and the coaches are amazing. It's a good academic school and the team has a really good team GPA."

At UCA, Pylant plans on majoring in business and hopes to be a corporate attorney in the future.

"I wanted to do engineering for a long time," Pylant said. "But then I decided corporate law would be interesting because I enjoy problem-solving, so I thought that might be a good career."

She must be really smart b/c mine was less than 4!

Dummy